The AI in Retail Solutions has arguably had the most impact to date on customers’ shopping experiences, whether they are ordering online or at their local grocery store. Conversational ai tools like ChatGPT have raised the bar for customer service, while augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are providing shoppers with immersive new ways to interact with products. But the real influence of ai will take place behind the scenes for brick-and-mortar retailers, with AI enhancing customer engagement and product optimization.

Personalized recommendations: AI can help retailers personalize product suggestions, offers, and content to individual customers, increasing their satisfaction and loyalty. For example, Nike’s augmented reality app measures a shopper’s foot and compares it to data from previous purchases, automatically suggesting the best shoe size for their needs. Fashion retailer H&M is also using ai to enable instant customer support with sizing questions and returns queries via their branded chatbot.

Sustainability in Retail: How AI Is Driving Eco-Friendly Practices

Improved inventory management: AI can monitor inventory levels, identify patterns, and automate restocking to reduce waste and optimize production, storage, and distribution. For instance, an AI solution can identify the level at which stock will be needed to reach a threshold – based on demand or seasonality – and notify employees when it is time to reorder.

Smarter pricing and promotions: AI can predict a customer’s buying behavior and offer them the best deals. For instance, an ai solution can recommend higher-priced items that complement or match a current purchase, effectively enabling cross-selling and upselling. Or, a ai can analyze the pricing and promotion strategies of competitors and analyze the market to suggest competitive prices that maximize profits and increase sales.