The Best Examples Of Using Artificial Intelligence For Retail Experiences

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed our lives in a way that has never been imagined before. It is the process that enables a machine to simulate the human thinking process. It helps to understand cognitive behavior and make decisions based on data analysis. AI has expanded its grip on the retail world too. The digital transformation of the retail world has brought a positive change in the world of commerce. It has given more insight into the retail business. The sellers can understand the consumer choice at a more personal level. The consumers, too are, happy with the personalized experience made possible by AI. As days pass the efficiency of AI is increasing with giant leaps. These days the accuracy of artificial intelligence assisting with your retail experience will blow your mind.

In this article we’ll have a look at some examples of companies that have introduced AI to upgrade their retail activities.

Amazon Go introduces cashier-less shopping experience:

Amazon is the world’s largest eCommerce site. They have introduced the power of AI in Amazon Go. It has revolutionized the way people experience shopping. Amazon Go has everything that you expect to find in your local grocery store. But here the retail experience will take you to another level. You can simply come and shop at your ease, but you won’t have to wait in line for the cashier. After you’re done with shopping, simply walk out of the store. A combination of dedicated sensors and the camera will track your shopping. The due payment will be automatically deducted from your amazon account. This has been made possible with their impressive AI-based approach.

Sephora uses AI and AR to give virtual experience of beauty products:

French cosmetic giant Sephora has added another dimension to the use of AI. They have demonstrated that AI and beauty products can go hand in hand. Their AR(augmented reality) scanner scans customers faces and suggests the cosmetics that would suit their face and color complexion. The customers will be able to engage with the virtual assistant tool. It will help them to experience the results of using different eyeliners, foundations, and contours virtually. The lip IQ suggests lipstick shades that would make their lips look stunningly beautiful and irresistible.

Walgreens flu analysis with AI:

US pharmaceutical giant Walgreen has started using AI to track the spread of flu across regions. The AI monitors patient’s prescriptions and other information. It analyses the data to keep track of the number of flu infected patients and mark their location. This helps people to be aware of the flu infected regions. It also helps the company to store relevant medicines in stores of those locations.

Lowes introduces JoeBot robot:

Lowes has started their LoeB ot program in 2016. This AI-powered robot roams around the store to help customers. Navigating a store to find out the location of a product can be time-consuming. Customers can ask questions to LoeBot. It helps customers to navigate throughout the store and find the items of their choice. Customers can also seek suggestions and recommendations from LoeBot on different products. Moreover this robot performs real-time inventory of stocks in the store. So management can top up the required items in due time.

Northface :

The American company NorthFace has introduced an interactive AI that helps people to choose coats. It has paired up with IBM and came up with a smart technology that uses algorithms to understand people’s needs. It asks customers where they’ll wear the coat, what will be the occasions or the nature of work they’ll be doing wearing the coat. Based on these queries the AI will recommend the most suitable coats to the customers.

Neiman Marcus and its AI-powered Visual Search

US-based luxury chain department store Neiman Marcus has partnered with ‘Slyce technology’ to develop an app named “Snap.Find.Shop”. This app facilitates people to search for items on the go. People can take photos of their desired items anywhere they see. With this app they use the photo to find similar items from the Neiman Marcus store. The visual recognition capability of the app is so good that it finds out the similar items precisely. 

Taco Bell’s Tacobot makes ordering much easier:

Taco Bell has come up with a robot named Tacobot. This robot is witty in its interaction with the customers. Its voice recognition technology is superb. The customers can make a conversation with the robot and give orders. This robot can also organize group orders for a larger number of people. People get a taste of good humor from the robot’s witty answer every time it completes an order.

Walmart robots:

The list would be incomplete without a worthy mention of Walmart. Walmart owns the largest retail store in the world. They have started deploying AI-powered robots in many of their stores. These robots roam around the long aisles in the store and scan the shelves. This way they can monitor the condition of items to suggest which ones need restocking and which items require a change in the tag. This initiative allows human employees to get more time to attend customers.

Uniqlo and its mind-reading kiosks:

Clothing store Uniqlo seems to be way ahead in its deployment of AI to improve customer experience. They have dedicated Kiosks at their stores. These kiosks suggest clothing items to customers. The software algorithm monitors the customer’s reaction through neurotransmitters. Based on this reaction it understands the customer’s mindset and suggests clothes accordingly.

Starbuck’s intuitive app makes ordering easy:

Starbuck has always been the people’s favorite. Their new AI-powered app is “My Starbucks Barista”. This app allows you to order your favorite coffee with text or voice command when you wake up. By the time you reach your nearest Starbucks, your order will be ready for you. You don’t need to stand in line.

The use of AI has enhanced our life with comfort and convenience. Industries and organizations are also benefited immensely with their application. Retail companies that brought AI to the business are drawing good results in their progress. It goes without saying that the future ahead will be shaped by AI and machine intelligence.