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 can you ensure your company isn't displaced by new technologies?
2. How do you plan to use AI to disrupt your industry?
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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?
3.9
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
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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

AI Intimacy
Retail brands are using AI to create deeper emotional connections with customers
Trend - Retail companies are deploying AI systems that go beyond transactional interactions to build genuine emotional relationships with customers. These technologies learn individual preferences, remember personal details, and anticipate needs in ways that make customers feel truly understood. AI is being used so every interaction feels like a continuation of an ongoing relationship.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use AI to remember and celebrate the small details that make each customer feel uniquely valued?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
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?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Retail Lounge
Retailers are launching experiential events to enhance connections to consumers
Trend - Retailers in various industries, such as department stores, luxury brands, and more, are launching in-store lounges and experiential events. These events are designed to enhance the comfort of shoppers while deepening the connection between the shoppers and the brand.
Workshop Question - How can we create experiential in-store events that enhance consumer engagement and strengthen their connection to our brand?
7
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?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
eCommerce Assistant
Online retailers are using generative AI to create natural-sounding assistants
Trend - Brands with online storefronts are launching assistants powered by generative AI to improve experiences for customers. These assistants can interpret natural language, and have intimate knowledge of the business' product portfolio, enabling them to suggest well-suited products for consumers' needs.
Workshop Question - How could your brand leverage generative AI models to enhance its customer experience on its online platforms?
6.7
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?
6.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Gamified Storefront
Brands are gamifying brick and mortar stores for the retailtainment trend
Trend - Brick-and-mortar storefronts are adding elements of gamification and entertainment to improve the in-store shopping experience. These 'retailtainment' initiatives add immersive experiences and interactive elements to increase consumer engagement and pull the focus away from simply spending money.
Workshop Question - How can we integrate gamification and entertainment into our physical spaces to create a more engaging and immersive experience for our customers?
6.8
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?
2.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends