Artificial Intelligence have been playing a key role across the retail industry. Offering better efficiency, velocity, and accuracy across branches of retail business. AI in retail has empowered businesses with better data that is leveraged into advanced retail operations and unlocked business opportunities.
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AI has the ability to transform the traditional retail experience with personalization, automation and increased efficiency.
There are five primary benefits of AI that retailers can start to explore in the following illustration:
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The potential for AI and machine learning in the retail industry will be determined by the following factors depicted by the Harvard Business review:
1
USE CASES
Identifying use cases core to business strategies in which AI can deliver the maximum impact will determine the success of AI.
2
HUMAN-MACHINE HARMONY
Creating an environment where humans and machines can peacefully coexist and machines are leveraged to amplify human ingenuity will accelerate adoption.
3
UNIFIED DATA FOUNDATION
To realize the full benefits of applying AI and machine learning to data, retailers must build a consolidated data foundation that will enable them to analyze, sense, and act on large volumes of heterogeneous data like voice, text, and images.
4
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
Demystifying AI and helping board rooms understand what AI can and cannot do are critical to making AI a foundational enabler of business strategy
5
NEUTRALIZING NAYSAYERS
A systematic approach to handle oft-cited pitfalls of AI, such as data sufficiency, ethics and bias, and societal considerations, is important to pave the way for frictionless adoption of AI.
Implications of AI in Retail
What are Some of the Immediate Benefits of AI
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People counting – How many people visit the store and how long do they dwell.
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Sales forecasting
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Sales data analysis
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Buying pattern analysis
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Analyzing customer behavior
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Customer trend analysis
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Consumer demand analysis
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Supply chain movement analysis
What are Some of the Immediate Applications of AI
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Identify the changing preferences of customers so you can adapt to meet their expectations
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Identify where improvements can be made in your supply chain
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Identify current consumer trends and whether there’s an opportunity for you to innovate in this area
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Use sales data analysis to make meaningful improvements to your sales approach, pricing, and marketing
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Use insights found in customer behavior analysis to determine whether you should make key changes to improve the customer experience. Does the layout of your store need to change? Do customers use your product in the same way? Do they use it in the way you intended it to be used?
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Optimize inventory and procurement – Use predictive analytics to determine which products to stock and in what quantities.
Page Acknowledgments: Hitachi, AI Superior, Harvard Business Review