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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?
Get Better and Faster

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?
4.2
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?
3.3
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?
4.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

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?
8.2
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?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Chat Commerce
Brands are enabling users to order and pay for products directly via messaging apps
Trend - Retailers are utilizing social messaging apps to allow shoppers to interact with businesses and pay for products while they remain in-chat. What this means is that shoppers can use their favorite messaging channels to discover products, place orders, make payments, and track packages.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize convenience and personalization?
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Shoppable TV
Streamers introduce interactive ads to shorten the gap between content and checkout
Trend - Streamers are experimenting with Connected TV technology (CTV), which leverages QR codes, content overlays, and second-screen prompts to allow viewers to instantaneously shop the products that they see on screen. This includes products seen in commercials as well as those featured in actual shows.
Workshop Question - How could your brand take advantage of innovative advertising tactics, like those introduced by Connected TV technology?
4.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
App-Based Retail
Retailers create apps to accompany customers' in-store experiences
Trend - Retailers are increasingly merging the convenience of online shopping with the engagement of in-person retail--now with accompanied in-store apps. These apps help enhance customer experiences with everything from product information to shopping assistance.
Workshop Question - How could your brand merge digital and in-person shopping experiences?
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Intelligent Inventory
Grocers are using IoT tech to streamline inventory management
Trend - Supermarkets are leveraging IoT solutions to improve inventory management processes. Not only do IoT systems ensure supermarkets are stocked with the right items in the right quantities, but they also help these brands achieve their sustainability objectives by reducing food and energy waste.
Workshop Question - How can your brand utilize emerging technologies to be more efficient?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Autonomous Hub
Unstaffed retailers are popping up in densely populated areas
Trend - Retail hubs like hotels, offices and malls are increasingly featuring unstaffed stores in order to speed up consumers' shopping times. These stores allow for smart detection and automatic charges for products that consumers purchase.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize convenience within its purchase journey?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Mindful Shopping
Brands curate relaxing shopping experiences for people with varying needs
Trend - Brands are curating mindful shopping experiences for consumers--either for the entire shopping experience or during certain times of the day. These quiet retail environments are designed for neurodiverse people, and/or for people who generally prefer shopping in relaxed spaces.
Workshop Question - How is your brand authentically prioritizing inclusion?
4.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends