Technology

Imagine a time when walking into a store meant being greeted by an associate who knew your size, taste, budget and buying history. Instead of a generic "How can I help you?" they’d say, "How did you like your Hoka running shoes? Would you like to check out the brand's latest pair? It offers the…

Retail companies, especially startups, are understandably conscious of their tech costs. Limited resources mean management can only do so much without breaking the bank. But today’s retail companies rely heavily on technology to grab market share. They can’t afford to skimp on tech like accounting software and point-of-sale (POS) systems if they want to stay…

In the omnichannel retail world, inventory optimization is more important than ever before. Retailers need to get the right products to the right places at the right time to satisfy demand in an efficient and profitable way — no matter how, when or where their customers choose to shop. With this in mind, many retailers…

In 2023, 57 percent of B2C martech leaders said they planned to deploy generative artificial intelligence within the next 24 months, according to a Gartner survey. Marketers are under pressure to get GenAI working on behalf of their organization’s bottom line as quickly as possible. However, many consumers remain wary of AI and the companies…

Retail margins are notoriously tight, so there’s a natural reluctance to invest in new technologies and embrace change. But change has come for the retail industry, and the only path forward for retailers — all retailers — is to implement the new technologies that will enable them to remain competitive. Failure to do so means…

The tides have turned for artificial intelligence in retail, and the stakes are growing: retailers know they must embrace AI or be left behind. As a result, I talk to dozens of C-level retail executives every week about how to best incorporate AI into their business strategy. CEOs and CFOs face heightened interest from their boards of…

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…