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FuturistU > Retail > Omnichannel Retail > Module 5 / 5

Artificial Intelligence in Retail

Instructor: Ady Floyd
Shopping Habits
Download the Shopping Habits Trend Report
In this module, rooted in Trend Hunter's Megatrend Artificial Intelligence, Ady explores the larger technological retail trends that are shaping this space. While technology can be vast and complicated to implement, there are three core pillars that work in curating an authentic omnichannel experience. As such, this section focuses on voice-activated shopping, cryptocurrency, and blockchain. Many consumers use these platforms daily, but it's more challenging for brands to seamlessly integrate them into the shopping journey.

This module will look at specific technological retail trends that are currently being embraced by brands and consumers alike. These trends are applicable to all retailers from large corporations to smaller start-up companies. With consumers today being more connected than ever, technology is simply an essential part of the omnichannel shopping journey.
Related Trend Report: Shopping Habits
Workshop Questions:
1. How do you plan to use AI to disrupt your industry?
2. How can you ensure your company isn't displaced by new technologies?
View Innovation Webinars

Featured Insights

Traceable Transparency
Emerging blockchain platforms offer increased transparency for consumers
Implications - Platforms that allow consumers to trace their goods through to the path of purchase shine a light on one of the most anticipated uses of blockchain technology. From concert tickets to poultry supply chains, these platforms help to increase transparency at various stages of the transaction in question. By using blockchain to allow consumers to see more of how products reach their hands, brands are able to establish a more authentic connection with their consumers, thus adding brand equity.
Workshop Question - Where in your business might you add an increased level of transparency to help develop a more authentic connection with your consumer?
4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Voice-Activated Retail
Retailers leverage voice assistive technology in the purchase journey
Implications - Brands are taking inspiration from Amazon’s Alexa by offering their own platforms and voice activated technologies that allow consumers to shop by speaking to their phones, or home control devices. From a consumer perspective, this distinct purchase journey offers an amalgamation of the personalization offered in in-person shopping experiences, coupled with the convenience of shopping online.
Workshop Question - How can your brand take inspiration from brands in its space that may be changing the game?
3.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Cashless Retail
Retail stores go entirely cashless in order to streamline processes
Implications - With more consumers opting to pay for things digitally rather than with cash, retailers are removing the option of cash transactions entirely – with Amazon going so far as to remove in-person payments altogether. This shift speaks to the adaptation, and enhancement, of already-established consumer purchase habits, while creating a shopping experience that prioritizes convenience.
Workshop Question - How can your brand better incorporate consumer purchase habits into its products/services?
4.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Employee-Free Retailer
Brick and mortar stores are turning to AI to mitigate labor costs
Trend - Retailers and grocers are testing fully automated locations to lower costs. By saving on the many complications associated with labor, these retailers are able to offer reduced prices for the benefit of the consumer. These often begin as solo test locations before expanding based on demand.
Workshop Question - How could your brand alter its operations to reduce costs of its products or services for consumers?
8.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Visual Aid
Brands are designing packaging to be accessible for consumers with visual impairments
Trend - Brands are creating packaging designs with smart solutions for consumers with visual impairments. These solutions include scannable codes or symbols that interact with smart applications to provide either easier-to-read or audio-based information, more effectively supporting shoppers.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage technological solutions to make our products more accessible for a wider range of consumers?
8.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Kiosk
Smart kiosks that provide recommendations and point-of-sale support are being deployed
Trend - Retailers are deploying in-store kiosks powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI kiosks interpret and make recommendations for consumers interacting with them, thus streamlining the retail process. The advent of AI kiosks also reduces the required staff and, thus, costs for retailers.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its consumers' experiences by employing artificial intelligence, or other, smart features?
8.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Accessible Grocery
Grocery delivery platforms now accept electronic benefit transfers
Trend - Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) is becoming a standard payment method as consumers seek convenient and secure ways to pay for grocery deliveries. This payment method aims to help individuals relying on government assistance programs access essential food items with ease and dignity.
Workshop Question - How does your brand demonstrate attentiveness to the financial well-being of its customer base?
3.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Mobile AI
Retailers are using AI to add unique features to their mobile retail apps
Trend - Retailers are launching mobile apps with AI-powered features designed to replace their existing apps. These apps offer recommendations, conversational support, image search, and features unique to certain retailers. These brands aim to improve customer retention while reducing ordering friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its customer satisfaction rates through AI features?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Stylist
Artificial intelligence is used to provide fashion recommendations to shoppers
Trend - Shopping brands are utilizing artificial intelligence to provide personalized recommendations, answer queries, offer product information, and enhance the shopping experience for customers. These assistants can be integrated into e-commerce websites, mobile apps, or messaging platforms.
Workshop Question - How can your brand enhance the pre and post-purchase process for its customers?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Everyday Web3
Web3 is integrated into everyday routines
Trend - Though the introduction to Web3 has had a shaky start, it's adoption in everyday routines and business practices is showcasing the real impact of the decentralized web. Customer service, online shopping, and even health care are enhanced by Web3 services when they're seamlessly integrated.
Workshop Question - How could your brand make new tech more digestible for its customers?
8.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Recruitment Metaverse Shops
Recruitment Metaverse Shops
IKEA on Roblox Merges Virtual Gaming and Real-World Job Opportunities
IKEA on Roblox introduced the Careers Done Different collaboration to reach a new generation interested in virtual gaming and real-world employment opportunities. This virtual IKEA store is styled... MORE
Metaverse Pharmacies
Metaverse Pharmacies
MAG and the Pharmacy Group are Developing a Virtual Pharmacy in Decentraland
iMining Technologies, a leading publicly-traded Web3 tech company, has announced that its subsidiary Metaverse Advisory Group (MAG) has entered a partnership with Noman Qureshi, owner of the... MORE
play_circle_filledDigital Footwear Experiences
Digital Footwear Experiences
Reebok Impact is a Next-Gen Shoe Experience with AI and Wearables
Futureverse, a leader in artificial intelligence and metaverse technologies, is teaming up with Reebok to launch Reebok Impact in 2024. This digital shoe experience is aimed at allowing mass... MORE
Customer Loyalty Partnerships
Customer Loyalty Partnerships
tokenproof and adidas Announce a Strategic Long-Term Partnership
tokenproof and adidas are “ushering a new era of loyalty and rewards for all consumer brands with a strategic three-year partnership. The collaboration began with the integration of tokenproof&#... MORE
Physical Metaverse Merchandise Stores
Physical Metaverse Merchandise Stores
Roblox will Sell Physical Goods with Shopify
Roblox has announced a strategic partnership with Shopify to enable the sale of physical goods directly within its platform. This integration allows developers, creators, and brands to sell real-... MORE
Shoppable Short
Shoppable short-form video content enhances digital shopping experiences
Trend - Shoppable short-form video content and ads are becoming increasingly prominent digital strategies among brands across industries. This content merges traditional ads with modern tech habits--offering customers more engaging and convenient forms of online shopping.
Workshop Question - How could your brand more effectively engage customers with its online experiences?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends