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| Meet Sam, the robotic assistant of SM Supermalls with built-in artificial intelligence (Image Source: Daily Tribune/SM Supermalls) |
The SM Group continues to harness technology and bring leading gadget brands from various parts of the world to the country through SM Supermalls. What began as a traditional shoe store in the late 1950s has evolved into all-in-one shopping centers featuring robotic assistants and hosting technology talks. The country’s major conglomerate makes visiting malls more convenient with Sam, the robotic assistant at SM Supermalls. Sam navigates the mall, guiding customers to their desired stores using a digital map. Launched in 2019, Sam also provides updates on the latest promos, deals, and events at SM Supermalls, which now number over 80 nationwide. Despite the vast size of SM Supermalls, customers won’t miss Sam, as the robot also functions on smartphones, ready to assist anytime. With built-in artificial intelligence, Sam can answer customer questions in a human-like manner and store large volumes of data, enabling continuous improvement in its services.
While the SM Group enhances customer experience in its malls through advanced technologies, it also modernizes customers’ experiences at home, work, or elsewhere via its gadget store chain Cyberzone which represents the Group’s focus on technology, evolving alongside its customers to explore innovations that make tasks and other activities easier and more enjoyable. In October 2024, the company opened its 67th Cyberzone in Cebu, offering not only computers, smartphones and gaming equipment but also smart appliances and related accessories. To keep customers updated on technology trends, SM Group hosts Cyber Month, featuring gaming tournaments and opportunities to try the latest gadgets firsthand. In addition to showcasing products on the Cyberzone website, the online platform shares technology news to help consumers make informed choices. Embodying both technology- and customer-centric mindsets, SM Group also makes online shopping more accessible for those with poor eyesight through its Eye-Able Assistant, a tool that allows customers to adjust the font size and color of text on SM websites, ensuring convenient browsing even without eyeglasses. For eyeglass wearers, SM Group addresses common frustrations such as discomfort from prolonged use or foggy lenses caused by temperature changes when moving between air-conditioned and warmer spaces.
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| SM Supermalls' 67th Cyberzone in J Centre Mall, Mandaue City, Cebu (Image Source: Daily Tribune/GadgetMatch/SM Supermalls) |
Meanwhile, SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the conglomerate’s residential developer, offers a virtual tour platform for desktops and smartphones, allowing property seekers to explore properties with a 360-degree view. Through SMDC’s virtual tour platform, customers can see a bird’s-eye view of a property’s surroundings and navigate every corner of a unit by simply clicking on their screens. This tool saves customers energy, money, and time, eliminating the need to travel and dedicate long periods to property hunting. The platform provides detailed maps of property locations, including specific condominium addresses and nearby establishments such as shops, hospitals, recreational facilities and airports. Additionally, the virtual tour platform offers interior design inspiration by showcasing both bare and furnished versions of condominium units. These units are part of the 180,000 residential properties developed across various SMDC projects nationwide. All of SM Group’s digital efforts aim to ensure customers enjoy a convenient and delightful shopping experience, quickly find products suited to their needs and gain insights into the latest technologies to address emerging challenges.
(With words by Kathryn Jose, Daily Tribune)
