Fujitsu works with Nitori Group, Japan’s largest furniture and home-furnishing retail chain, to optimize last mile deliveries with quantum-inspired technology
Fujitsu Limited, Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd., Home Logistics Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, January 23, 2024
Fujitsu, Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd., and Home Logistics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Home Logistics) today announced the introduction of a delivery optimization technology utilizing Fujitsu's quantum-inspired Digital Annealer (1) technology for use in distribution centers operated by Home Logistics, a company of the Nitori Group.
Home Logistics launched the new technology at 80 distribution centers nationwide in Japan, enabling it to quickly determine optimal delivery routes from a vast number of possibilities. The new system leverages Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer to calculate the possible impact of complex variables including the load capacity of trucks, working hours of drivers, and distance travelled, to generate the best possible delivery routes. This makes it possible to reduce drivers’ working hours, get products to customers more quickly, while also contributing to the mitigation of the environmental impacts of delivery, including air pollution and CO2 emissions.
Moving forward, the Nitori Group, will continue to work to improve convenience for customers by improving logistics quality.
Background
Labor shortages, compliance with regulations on working hours for truck drivers and the reduction of CO2 emissions represent several important challenges in the logistic industry amidst an increasing demand for deliveries.
To this end, the Nitori Group has been working to improve the quality and efficiency of its logistics by focusing on streamlining last-mile delivery services. To address the increasing demand for product delivery to customers, the Nitori Group introduced a delivery optimization technology utilizing Fujitsu's quantum-inspired Digital Annealer technology into the delivery system of distribution centers operated by Home Logistics to enable quick determination of optimal delivery routes and ultimately improve the efficiency of Home Logistics delivery operations.
Future Plans
Based on its mission statement “to provide the foundation of prosperous home living to the global community,” the Nitori Group will continue to promote sustainability management, and, as a manufacturing logistics IT retail business, will contribute to the solution of societal issues throughout the supply chain.
Fujitsu will continue to support digital transformation (DX) throughout the Nitori Group’s supply chain, and contribute to the solution of global environmental problems and the development of a digital society through the creative application of innovative technologies.
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About Fujitsu
Fujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.
About Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd
Nitori is Japan’s largest furniture and home-furnishing retail chain and its vision is to open 3,000 stores and achieve sales of 3 trillion yen by 2032, based on the mission statement "To enrich homes of people all over the world." The main business of the Nitori Group is opening "Nitori" stores that sell furniture and home-furnishing products. The Group also has a wide range of business operations such as "Deco Home" stores that sell home-furnishing products with a focus on daily necessities, "Shimachu" home improvement stores that sell hardware, daily goods and furniture, "N Plus" stores that sell apparel for adult women, and Nitori Dining "Minnano Grill" which is a food service business. As of January 22, 2024, Nitori has opened 807stores in Japan and 170 stores in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand, with a total of 977stores operating around the world.
Press Contacts
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries
Home Logistics Co., Ltd.
Home Logistics Public Relations Department
E-mail: ZUSR-HL_media@nitori.jp
All company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.
Date: 23 January, 2024
City: Tokyo, Japan
Company: Fujitsu Limited, Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd., Home Logistics Co., Ltd.
