Ito Yokado Launches GEM-Powered Digital Experience for the 2026 Ochugen Campaign

Tokyo, Japan — TabiLife is pleased to announce the launch of a new digital shopping experience powered by GEM at Ito Yokado’s flagship Omori store for the 2026 Ochugen (お中元) season.

As one of Japan’s most cherished gift-giving traditions, Ochugen brings together a wide selection of premium products from leading brands. To help shoppers make more informed gift selections, Ito Yokado has introduced an interactive QR-powered experience that seamlessly connects the physical retail environment with rich digital content.

The initiative launches as a Proof of Concept (PoC) and represents an exciting first step in a broader collaboration to explore the future of digital engagement in Japanese retail.

Bringing More Information to Every Gift Choice

Selecting the right Ochugen gift often involves comparing multiple brands, understanding product features, and finding the perfect gift for family, friends, business partners, or valued clients.

While traditional shelf displays provide essential product information, they offer limited space to tell the complete story behind each brand and gift set.

With GEM, shoppers can now access detailed information instantly while standing in front of the display, creating a more informed and engaging shopping experience without changing their natural purchasing journey.

How the Experience Works

Throughout the Ochugen display area, participating products are accompanied by QR codes that invite customers to learn more before making their purchase.

With a simple scan using any smartphone, shoppers are taken directly to a dedicated GEM experience for the participating brand — no app download required.

Inside each experience, customers can:

• Discover the brand’s story and background
• Browse featured Ochugen gift selections
• View detailed product information
• Explore available gift options
• Generate a purchase barcode to present at the checkout counter

The result is a seamless connection between physical retail and digital engagement, allowing customers to make confident purchasing decisions while remaining inside the store.

Four Leading Brands, Four Dedicated Experiences

As part of this Proof of Concept, four participating companies each received a dedicated GEM experience tailored to their products and brand identity.

Asahi Beer — Customers can explore featured Ochugen gift sets while learning more about one of Japan’s most recognized beverage brands.

Nipponham — The experience showcases participating gift selections together with detailed product information designed to support purchasing decisions.

Ibonoito — Shoppers can discover the history behind Japan’s renowned somen noodles while browsing the gift selections available during the campaign.

Art Collection Confectioneries — Customers can explore premium confectionery gift sets through an engaging digital experience that complements the in-store display.

Enhancing the In-Store Shopping Journey

Rather than replacing the traditional retail experience, GEM enhances it.

Customers remain engaged with the products displayed on the shelves while gaining access to rich digital content that would otherwise be impossible to present in a physical merchandising space.

By combining QR technology with mobile-first experiences, retailers can provide:

• Richer product storytelling
• Better-informed purchasing decisions
• A more engaging shopping journey
• Consistent digital content across participating brands
• A seamless connection between product discovery and purchase

This approach enables retailers to extend the value of every shelf display without adding complexity to the shopping experience.

A New Chapter in Retail Digital Engagement

The launch at Ito Yokado’s flagship Omori store marks an important milestone for both companies.

By introducing interactive mobile experiences directly into one of Japan’s largest supermarket chains, the project demonstrates how digital technology can complement traditional retail while preserving the simplicity and familiarity of in-store shopping.

The Proof of Concept also establishes a foundation for exploring future opportunities across additional seasonal campaigns, helping retailers, brands, and customers connect in new and meaningful ways.

About GEM

GEM is TabiLife’s digital engagement platform designed to connect physical spaces with interactive mobile experiences. Using QR technology, GEM enables retailers and brands to deliver product information, brand stories, campaign content, and guided purchasing journeys directly to customers’ smartphones — without requiring an app download.

From seasonal campaigns and promotional events to permanent retail installations, GEM transforms physical merchandising into engaging digital experiences that inform, inspire, and support customer decision-making.

About TabiLife

TabiLife develops digital solutions that connect businesses with their customers through innovative mobile experiences. By combining intuitive design with practical technology, TabiLife helps retailers, hospitality businesses, and brands create engaging customer journeys that bridge the physical and digital worlds.