Store Associates

Ace Hardware, the world's largest hardware cooperative, has launched Hey ARMA, an artificial intelligence-powered assistant designed to support its nationwide in-store associates with real-time information and guidance. Operated through a handheld device, Hey ARMA provides associates with quick access to product knowledge, project advice, and recommendations, helping them to focus on solving customer problems and…

Artificial intelligence is transforming customer experience (CX) online, but what about CX in the physical world? Frontline employees play a direct role in customer experience for retail brands. So far, these workers are underserved by digital transformation initiatives that could improve CX and employee experience. While most AI solutions are designed for knowledge workers interacting…

The retail industry is already steeped in the nonstop buzz of artificial intelligence. While hype is high, action is lagging. The time is now to accelerate or be left at the bus stop. Yet the question remains: Is there a real return on investment in AI? A recent Google study, ROI of AI, found that…

Walk into a retail store today and you’ll notice something different: a sense of connectedness, immediacy, and possibility humming beneath the surface. At the heart of this transformation is a new class of technology: artificial intelligence agents quietly reimagining how retail gets done, from the stockroom to the sales floor. AI in retail isn’t new,…

Employee safety and well-being have become essential to operational success. While enhancing the customer experience is still key, retailers are realizing that a secure, confident workforce is the foundation for great service, efficient operations, and stronger performance. With rising incidents of theft, harassment and workplace stress, retailers are rethinking how they protect their staff. Beyond…

Regulators have increased their focus on addressing workplace violence risks, including some with particular attention to risks associated with retail employers. Retailers from New York to California should monitor continued developments within state legislatures and adjust their workplace policies to account for these rules — new and old. California now requires virtually all employers in…

Are we still leaving hourly workers behind? According to recent research, workplace dissatisfaction is on the rise among the hourly workforce and, unsurprisingly, inflexible scheduling is a primary contributing factor. The same survey found that while 81 percent of salaried workers are satisfied with their flexible work options, just 67 percent of hourly employees report…

Today, delivering a positive and seamless customer experience is more critical than ever for retail success. Customer service teams are the front line of this effort, and their ability to handle complex and diverse scenarios with empathy and confidence can make or break a customer's perception of a brand. This is why training is so…

In today's fast-paced fashion retail industry, success hinges on the ability to manage inventory efficiently, empower workforces, and deliver an exceptional customer experience. Partnering with a vendor that offers an end-to-end inventory management and store execution platform can revolutionize your operations, improve visibility and productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction to meet the demands of modern…

Retailers are up against the biggest holiday season yet. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), U.S. holiday sales are projected to generate nearly $1 trillion, representing an increase of about 3 percent year-over-year. To capture this demand, retailers need a prepared, adaptable frontline workforce that can deliver exceptional customer experiences across all channels. In…