Technology

Once the purview of science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) has now permeated our everyday lives — from the home devices that recommend songs for our playlists, to the apps we use to monitor commuter traffic, to the chatbots that pop up to ask if we need any help. Unbeknownst to many consumers, AI has become…

Keeping up with nanosecond social media trends is a never-ending challenge for retail brands and shoppers. In addition to responding to these fast-paced microtrends, merchandisers face increased pressure to incorporate cutting-edge personalization techniques that drive authentic shopping experiences and cultivate brand loyalty. So, what’s the answer to remaining innovative and on-trend in 2024? According to…

As the retail industry has increasingly shifted to digital technology, transitioning from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to online platforms, consumers have changed both where and how they shop. Augmented reality apps allow customers to visualize products in their homes before purchasing, and retailers use artificial intelligence-driven recommendations to tailor suggestions to individual tastes. The integration of…

Small business owners increasingly use advanced generative artificial intelligence tools to enhance digital marketing strategies and maintain a competitive edge. iStock’s VisualGPS research reveals that 42 percent of SMBs and SMEs already leverage AI-generated content to strengthen their online presence, highlighting a growing recognition of AI's potential for e-commerce success. Learning about the data that…

Retail operations have traditionally been plagued by outdated processes and use of paper-based logbooks, setting retail brands back in terms of productivity and performance. Nowadays, the emergence of digitization, including the use of artificial intelligence to accelerate data analysis and decision making, is automating those traditionally tedious retail processes, enhancing visibility and lowering costs for…

The retail industry has embarked on a transformative shift driven by the rise of generative artificial intelligence. While still in its early stages, this disruptive technology promises to revolutionize how retailers operate, from enhancing data quality and decision making to delivering highly personalized shopping experiences at an unprecedented scale. The recent efforts from Microsoft to…

Ikea announced earlier this month that it will be providing 3,000 staff and 500 leaders artificial intelligence (AI) literacy training in an effort to embed the technology across its organization and embrace the "future of technology and humanity," the company said in a news release. The courses offered include AI Fundamentals, Responsible AI, and Mastering…

Like every industry, retail is experiencing an artificial intelligence boom — and like other industries that operate with such small profit margins, any competitive edge is not only welcome but necessary to survive. AI offers benefits in five key areas for retailers: personalization, visual search, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), predictive analytics, and…

Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is only accelerating among global corporate enterprises, thus CEOs and business leaders are positioned at the confluence of innovation and ethics as it relates to implementing AI projects within their businesses. While technical prowess and business potential are usually the focus of conversations around AI, the ethical considerations are sometimes…

The holiday season has always been a tricky time for retailers, and this year will be no different. With the inflation rate fluctuating between 3 percent and 4 percent, consumer spending behaviors have become increasingly unpredictable. How can retailers forecast the right products and channels to stock their shelves effectively in Q4? To stay agile…