The new “Alexa” for nanostores! Lupita simplifies daily operations by streamlining inventory management, providing sales forecasting, and enhancing customer interactions—all in one accessible device. It empowers shopkeepers to make data-driven decisions, optimize their operations, and compete more effectively in an increasingly digital economy. Lupita Demo: Lupita in the field: In a recent workshop held in Mexico…

The impact of creating parking for freight vehicles on last-mile distribution for nanostores The lack of designated parking for freight vehicles in urban areas significantly disrupts goods distribution, leading to increased logistics costs, traffic congestion, and higher carbon emissions. This issue is particularly acute in developing cities, where the rapid growth of urban populations and…

Generative AI to support storekeeper’s decisions To investigate the impact of a conversational artificial intelligence (AI) assistant for micro-firms dealing with replenishment and sourcing decisions, we have developed a web-based behavioral lab experiment using the Prolific platform. Random subjects will be asked to act as managers and decide what to buy and stock up on…

Determining the appropriate selling prices for products is one of the most crucial decisions shopkeepers face. ChecaPrecios is a freemium web application that enables shopkeepers to search for product prices and compare them with those in modern retail stores. Observing facebook support groups containing over 100,000+ shopkeepers, we discovered that product pricing is the most frequent topic of…

Cuanto Tengo: Instantly Count Your Store’s Inventory with AI Managing inventory in a small store can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Cuanto Tengo is a breakthrough technology designed to make inventory tracking effortless. With just a single photo taken from any smartphone, this AI-powered tool instantly identifies and counts the products on your store shelves—accurately and…

Meet the LIFT Performance Index: The Micro-Retail Game Changer The LIFT Performance Index is a specialized economic indicator designed to provide timely, reliable, and actionable insights into Mexico’s micro-retail sector. Unlike traditional economic data—often delayed and not tailored to micro and small enterprises (MSEs)—the LIFT Index delivers a monthly, real-time snapshot of market conditions using real (not nominal) variables. How It…

Have you ever wondered how much optimizing delivery routes could save in costs and CO2 emissions, especially when it comes to serving nanostores? It’s a question that lies at the intersection of efficiency, sustainability, and urban logistics – one that researchers at the LIFT Lab are tackling head-on. Building on the insights of Professor Jan…