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Four reasons Artificial Intelligence is the Future of Retail

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venkat k
Four reasons Artificial Intelligence is the Future of Retail

Retail is a fast-moving sector, and success in the industry means keeping up with technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of them, and evidence shows that this is the future of retail. Here are four reasons:

1. AI offers a variety of use options
Retailers are often reluctant to try emerging technologies. Capgemini Research Institute has examined in depth the impact of AI on retail and a comprehensive study has revealed many exciting things. For starters, the number of retailers implementing AI in their companies is growing. And they focus on customer-facing applications in nearly three-quarters of cases. Moreover, the study showed that retailers could deploy AI in their operations and save over $ 340 billion by 2022.

As an example of where those savings may originate, the authors of the paper give an example of Otto, the German e-commerce business that uses AI to predict consumer buying patterns. By making more accurate suggestions to shoppers, Otto reduces the revenue of more than 2 million items per year.

Other companies use AI to prepare packages in warehouses or distribution centers by implementing technology in item picker assistants that workers use when re-opening shelves or ready to ship goods. Given the assortment of options offered and greater accuracy on the horizon, retailers have no shortage of ways to work with technology. This helps determine the power of AI.

2. We want personalization that customers can give
The above brief mention of using AI to reduce return rates is just one example of how technology can help personalize the shopping experience. Epsilon’s research found that 80 percent of respondents were more likely to do business with companies that offer personalization, while 90 percent indicated that personalization was attractive.

It is not surprising that retail professionals tend to recall past trends leading up to this stage. For example, subscription boxes are the top trend of 2017, and many of today’s most popular ones use some degree of personalization.

Birchbox is a popular beauty product subscription box that allows people to select at least one item in their monthly box or choose from an assortment of free samples when they buy something from the Birchbox Store. Customers may indicate a preference for all-natural products or goods for curly hair.

Going back to AI, it promotes personalization in various ways, especially through improved marketing. A person can view different versions of the retail website based on past interactions with the brand or receive coupons with their product receipts that align with the products they are most likely to buy.

Going forward, users will remain with AI-based personalization for the future as long as it does not invade privacy. Lack of customization often leads to absurdity, which can make shopping less fulfilling.

3. AI promotes better decision making
Analysts expect 2019 to be the year that AI and machine learning — a subset of AI — become critical for retail decision-makers. Those technologies can help brands figure out which items people want most and which ones don’t sell fast. Then, they can use this data to meet customer data and avoid waste.

French multinational retailer Carrefour has recently begun using the AI-driven analytics platform for demand forecasting. Running the pilot for 18 months, the brand collects data for its stores, online orders, and warehouses, and then uses the information to create customized algorithms for storing items, but not too much.

4. AI reduces theft
Most retail stores have cameras, door alarms and on-site damage prevention specialists to help prevent shoplifters. There is still value to those preventive measures, but AI is a useful supplement.

According to the National Retail Federation, inventory losses — also known as “shrinkage” — result in significant costs for retailers. The collapse of the NRF’s study on retail security had a $ 46.8 billion impact on the retail economy in 2017.

AI makes that numberless substantial. There is an AI technology called Stoplift, which helps people figure out what they can do to cheat self-checkout kiosks and go out for unpaid merchandise. Also, the Japanese-made AI security camera also detects suspicious postures that signal that someone is trying to steal things.

Retail theft is an issue that should not go away. Even the people who oversaw the first shops that existed had trouble stealing. Thankfully, today’s stores are far less antiquated, and AI can give retailers valuable strategies to pursue.

AI will help retailers grow

Some aspects of the retail industry, such as shopping malls and brick-and-mortar chain stores, have experienced a severe downturn recently. And there will inevitably be other hard times ahead. Artificial Intelligence is not the solution at all to secure the future of retail, but here it highlights why the things highlighted can make meaningful profits when used to overcome business barriers and cater to customers.

 

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