There are a lot of restrictions for digitization of retail stores including heavy initial costs and electronic conditions. These restrictions are inevitable, but can be managed.

As spec cards for the retail store show only simple information, it is not necessary to display intricate contents. In addition, the contents replacement cycle is typically quite long. We wanted to eliminate PCBs (printed circuit boards) and batteries from the digital spec cards using e-ink displays instead of LCDs that require a constant power supply.

e-ink displays only use electricity to draw ink capsules to its screen film. After contents come up, electricity is not required to keep contents on the screen. Our digital spec card is very simple and features an e-ink panel without PCB or battery. Instead, all electronic mechanisms move through the docking cradle for contents updating. To change contents, simply dock it to the cradle.

We researched and developed the new digital spec card solution for 12 weeks beginning in January 2018. Thirty sample products were manufactured.

This March, our mock up products called “Samsung Eco Spec-cards” were installed at Samsung Electronics Headquarters in Korea. Soon after, it was installed and is currently operating at a Samsung retail store in Hongdae, one of main streets in Seoul where millennials prefer to shop.

More Eco Spec-cards are being manufactured to be launched at Samsung retail stores in July in China, Chile, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Samsung Eco Spec-cards reduced the process of information delivery from headquarters to each retail store, as well as the time and the effort of operation in store.

Samsung Eco Spec-cards have tangible benefits for the company. There is a 40% reduction in production cost compared to typical LCD products.

Samsung Eco Spec-cards are good for the environment since they decreased *99.9% of the amount of electricity used, and *98% of industrial waste such as PCBs and batteries (*by standard Samsung retail store). It means not only efficient retail operation, but also real money and environmental savings impact.

In 2019, Eco Spec-cards will be launched at 3,000 Samsung Mobile Retail stores all over the world.