Technology

Retail operations have traditionally been plagued by outdated processes and use of paper-based logbooks, setting retail brands back in terms of productivity and performance.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…

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has set the marketing world aflame. Tools like DALL·E and Adobe Firefly have demonstrated the potential of AI to produce engaging creative from limited resources. Looking beyond that, what can it offer in terms of media efficiency for brand and retail marketers? The ability of GenAI tools to remix and iterate…

Emotions are central to how we engage, communicate with, and react to our world, motivating our behavior and deepening our interactions. Brands that lean into the intricacies of human emotions are proven to generate more sales and loyalty. According to McKinsey, 76 percent of consumers reported that receiving personalized communications was a top factor in…

The world of work is evolving rapidly, with the average professional changing careers around five to seven times over their lifetime. Whether driven by personal aspirations, industry shifts, or economic forces, career transitions can be daunting. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up new avenues for individuals to navigate these changes more…

In 2024, the most forward-thinking and innovative retail organizations will recognize that it's a must to blend intelligent human insight and artificial intelligence (AI). It will become clear that unless an organization can find a way to unify the two across virtually every aspect of their business, it will suffer the consequences across both the…