Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard is the APAC Manager for SES-imagotag, the world leader in smart digital labels and retail IoT solutions for physical retail. He’s had a long love affair with Japan, first visiting in 2002 when he learned Japanese.! He also loves martial arts and has trained in Kendo, the Japanese art of cutting.

Pascal shares his insights on the digital technology space and how retail is changing in Japan, drawing from his extensive experience working in the country as well as his international experience working across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In this episode you will hear:

• What the retail landscape looks like globally and how is technology changing the retail shopping experience in Japan
• Why Japan is lagging in retail technology compared to Europe and the role Covid has played
• Why the fax machine is still being used in Japan and will it ever be retired?
• How Japanese customers are driving change in the retail environment
• The challenges of bridging the cultural gap in Japan when working for a foreign company and building a strong team

About Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard:

Pascal is the Manager of APAC AT SES-imagotag, the world leader in smart digital labels and Retail IoT solutions for physical retail.

He consults also for the retail Industry and is currently advisor for bakery group Gontran Cherrier.

Prior to joining SES-imagotag, Pascal was Asia Director for Bio c’ Bon, one of the largest European organic retail chains. Based in Japan, he was in charge of the development of the local operation in partnership with Japan's largest retailer, AEON group, opening 27 stores within four years in Japan and becoming the leading player on the market.

Before Bio c’ Bon, Pascal was based in Shanghai where he co-founded and developed UPYA, a boutique commodity trading group dealing and investing in hard and soft commodities between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Previously he was in Japan where he launched and managed the Asian entity of DIAM International, the worldwide leader of POP displays for the luxury industry.

He started his career in the industrial sector, holding several positions within AREVA and Arjowiggins group, with a focus on M&A and strategic development in Asia.

Pascal holds three master degrees from Ecole polytechnique, Ecole des Mines de Paris and Sciences Po in France. He is fluent in Japanese, Chinese, English, and French.

He is President of Ecole polytechnique Alumni Asia chapter, Trade Advisor for the French Government, and a Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.

Connect with Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard:

Website: https://www.ses-imagotag.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalgerbertgaillard/

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The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

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