Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As geopolitical and environmental events become more volatile and unstable, so can a retailer’s supply chain. Right now, war in the Middle East is causing shipping in the Red Sea to become more dangerous. In the U.S., the government has raised tariffs on some Chinese goods. Globally, shipping prices are soaring. All of these events…

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has taken retail commerce by storm, drastically changing the behaviors of online customers to a point that retailers are making investments in the technology to improve the customer experience. According to Forrester’s March 2024 Consumer Pulse Survey,  consumers use of GenAI is growing, with 48 percent of U.S. consumers agreeing that…

The pandemic exposed the retail industry’s reliance on long planning cycles, which hindered companies’ ability to respond quickly to supply chain challenges, then excess inventory, as consumer purchasing patterns and market conditions changed overnight. Industry leaders realized they didn’t have the fundamentals in place to react as quickly as the market demanded. Burned out by…

Consumers accustomed to the autonomy of online shopping are often disappointed when they walk into physical stores, only to find that a retailer hasn’t updated its store experience to match new digital-inspired shopping habits. Online, these shoppers are used to being able to find what they want — in any variation they want it —…

The three use cases where the convergence of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things underpinned by event streaming is making a real difference to retailers and their customers are as follows. Enhancing Every Customer Journey Within the Store AIoT enables retailers to intelligently take advantage of in-store and customer data to offer highly customized shopping…

The retail sector in 2024 faces a confluence of transformative forces. Geopolitical tensions, intricate supply chains and economic fluctuations have created a complex landscape. Challenges like inflation, rising interest rates, and escalating living costs directly influence consumer purchasing power. The e-commerce boom and evolving post-pandemic consumer behavior further reshape market dynamics, presenting both opportunities and…

“Hello Mr Yakomoto, welcome back to The Gap. How did those assorted tank tops work out for you?” Ever since Tom Cruise walked into The Gap as pre-crime chief John Anderton and was greeted by a 3D hologram asking him about his purchase from an eye scan, the "Minority Report" became an instant "future of…

The ability to offer personalized shopping experiences has long been a cornerstone of digital marketing success. Brands often target specific segments within their ideal market demographics when executing digital ad buying and customer relationship activities like email and SMS marketing. So why don't brands also create segmented versions of their digital storefront(s)? The practical challenges…

Shoptalk 2024 buzzed with innovation. One central theme emerged as the standout from the show: leveraging artificial intelligence to create a future-proof retail experience. Although the industry conversation around AI isn't new, this year marked a shift from discussing the potential of the technology to showcasing business use cases of how brands are harnessing the…

The retail industry is drowning in customer feedback. From reviews to digital surveys to in-store polls to social media posts, customer feedback is everywhere. Smart businesses know this feedback is valuable. They try to glean insights about their business based on customer feedback. The most valuable feedback is qualitative feedback, left in open text boxes…