Affordable, real-time shelf monitoring to eliminate stockouts and manual counts for independent retailers.
RetailSense provides an end-to-end IoT inventory management platform tailored for small brick-and-mortar retailers such as convenience stores, boutiques, and pharmacies. Our system consists of thin, weight-sensitive mats that lie on existing shelves, connected to a hub that transmits real-time stock levels to a cloud dashboard. Store owners receive low-stock alerts, shrinkage notifications, and sales trend analytics via a mobile app. The business operates on a hybrid model, with hardware designed and tested in a central lab, and software developed remotely. We sell the hardware upfront and charge a monthly SaaS fee for the analytics platform. With a $25k+ budget, we can prototype, manufacture initial inventory, and hire a small sales team. Full-time dedication ensures rapid iteration and personalized onboarding for early customers.
Retail automation is booming due to labor shortages and the post-pandemic push for efficiency; IoT sensor costs have dropped, making smart shelves affordable for small businesses for the first time.
Interview 15 local small retailers to document inventory pain points, current processes, and willingness to pay for an automated solution.
Independent brick-and-mortar retailers with 1-5 locations and limited tech budgets.
Revenue comes from a one-time hardware fee ($500 per 4-foot shelf section) covering sensor mats and a gateway hub, plus a recurring SaaS subscription ($75–$150/month) for real-time analytics, alerts, and multi-location management. Additional income from installation ($200 per site) and premium analytics features. Customer acquisition through direct outreach, partnerships with POS providers, and free pilot programs that convert to paid after 30 days.
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