0.6 Seconds! Suntory Speed Meets AI: Cloudpick Powers Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds Volleyball Club with Lightning-Fast Unmanned Store

Customer Requirements

Imagine a top male volleyball player’s powerful jump serve flying at 100‑120 km/h – the ball travels from one side of the court to the other in just 0.6 seconds. This is not only a symbol of speed, but also a reflection of the glory and passion of the Suntory Sunbirds Volleyball Club.

Founded in 1899, Suntory entered the Chinese market in 1984. In 2023, its global sales reached approximately ¥150 billion RMB, and it consistently ranks among the top five most admired beverage companies in Fortune’s global list. The corporate philosophy passed down for 125 years – “Yatte Minahare” (dare to challenge) and the “one‑third profit sharing” value – has driven Suntory’s sustainable growth and earned consumer respect and trust worldwide.

The Suntory Sunbirds Volleyball Club was established in 1973 and is a powerhouse in the Japanese V.League. The team has won multiple league championships, including the 2021‑2022 season. Internationally, they claimed the men’s title at the 70th Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament in 2022 and have finished among the top three in the Asian Club Championship several times. The team boasts a strong roster with star players like Japanese superstar Takahiro Yamamoto, Russian opposite Dmitry Muserskiy, and Chinese players Peng Shikun and Yu Yuantai, coached by Olivier Lecat.

Beyond on‑court achievements, the Sunbirds actively promote volleyball culture. On March 30, 2025, they set a club‑record home attendance of 7,430 at Osaka Arena, and by the end of the 21st round, cumulative attendance had reached 104,380 – surpassing the season’s “100,000” goal.

Yet this huge popularity brought a challenge: selling merchandise on game days. Traditional retail could not handle the rush, causing long queues. Moreover, sports venues require fast setup and teardown to match the event cycle. How could these problems be solved?

Cloudpick Solution

Cloudpick’s AI-powered unmanned store partnered with Suntory to redefine the shopping experience with the same “lightning speed” – checkout takes only 0.6 seconds, matching the thrilling speed of a volleyball serve.

Cloudpick proudly collaborated with the Suntory Sunbirds to create a limited‑edition pop‑up unmanned retail shop inside the arena. Open only on game days, the store can be set up in less than 8 hours. It is detachable, movable, and reusable – perfectly fitting the fast‑paced event schedule.

Because sports events are periodic, pop‑up shops face many difficulties: How to complete store setup on the day of the event? How to easily manage large inventory? How to quickly recover the store after the game?

Cloudpick’s solution uses a modular design that can be built in a few hours and rapidly disassembled after the event. The store is clean and futuristic. The intelligent system supports ultra‑fast checkout, easily handling high crowds. It saves space, follows green and low‑carbon principles, and brings smart upgrades to the club.

Cloudpick’s unmanned store also supports private‑domain user engagement. Customers simply scan a QR code and register via the LINE mini‑program to enter the store. This not only streamlines shopping but also creates a user touchpoint, building a foundation for deeper brand‑customer interaction.

After shopping – whether at the arena or online – Cloudpick’s store stays connected with users through the LINE official account. Through precise marketing campaigns such as game‑day exclusive discounts and member benefits, the store continuously attracts attention and enhances loyalty. Moreover, LINE can be extended to sell event tickets and operate an online mall, further increasing customer lifetime value (LTV).

Result

Inside a massive sports venue with huge crowds, Cloudpick’s AI unmanned store delivers a 0.6‑second checkout, eliminating queues and frustration. It is not just shopping – it’s a feast of speed and passion.

The shopping flow is extremely smooth:

• 1‑2 seconds: Scan QR code or use face recognition to enter – entry makes you a member. Multiple people can shop simultaneously without interfering with each other.

• 3‑4 seconds: Walk around the store. AI cameras track your movements in real time (no RFID, no remote guards), with accuracy exceeding 99.7%.

• 5‑6 seconds: Pick your favorite product. Smart gravity shelves combined with AI cameras generate your order instantly. Even if you open the package, put it in your bag, or throw it outside the store, nothing is missed.

• 7‑8 seconds: Walk out through the gate – the order is generated instantly.

• 9‑10 seconds: The order is sent to your phone and payment is deducted. Meanwhile, the store manager (miles away) receives full details of your transaction on the backend for future optimization.

These ten seconds are the result of years of research and optimization by Cloudpick. “Ten seconds in the store – Cloudpick works wonders!”

Cloudpick’s AI unmanned store not only provides efficient, convenient shopping but also serves as a powerful platform for customer retention and interaction. Through deep user connections, it helps brands stand out in competitive markets, achieving both retention and loyalty.

Beyond the Suntory Sunbirds, Cloudpick’s AI unmanned stores have been deployed at many international sports events and venues, including Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, Shanghai International Circuit, Formula 1 Grand Prix, FIFA World Cup, and Winter Olympics. In these high‑traffic, fast‑paced settings, Cloudpick’s grab‑and‑go experience pays tribute to sports speed and spirit. Cloudpick also shines at concerts and large‑scale official events, providing efficient, intelligent shopping experiences.

Customer Testimonial

After comparing multiple options, the Suntory Sunbirds Volleyball Club gave this evaluation:

“This is exactly the solution we’ve been looking for! Cloudpick’s AI unmanned store is not only efficient and intelligent, but also perfectly matches the fast‑paced needs of sports events. It not only improves the fan shopping experience but also builds a highly tech‑savvy brand image for the club. The green, intelligent, low‑carbon, and eco‑friendly design aligns with modern societal trends. Without a doubt, this is our best choice!”