Smart Retail Solutions through Edge Computing and IoT Automation: Implementing Dynamic Pricing and Real-Time Customer Engagement

The rapid advancement in retail technology has necessitated the development of systems that can adapt to dynamic customer behaviours and optimize pricing strategies in real time. This paper presents a smart retail system that integrates edge computing and IoT automation to address these challenges effectively. The system utilises YOLOv8 for real-time crowd counting, with camera sensors deployed around product shelves to monitor customer interactions. IoT devices, including smart shelves and QR codes, facilitate real-time data communication and enhance customer engagement. Edge computing processes this data locally to enable immediate adjustments in pricing and inventory management, minimizing latency and improving responsiveness. The integration of these technologies aims to optimize operational efficiency, enhance the shopping experience, and provide personalized promotions based on real-time crowd density and sales data.