The COVID-19 outbreak is responsible for the change seen in our everyday life. This pandemic also changed the way businesses conduct their daily activities. The retail industry has been affected the most. There is a significant impact on product demand, consumer behavior, and retail technologies. For a few years now digital transformation is known for reshaping online experiences, shopping, and also customer expectations of actual shops. So, this pandemic has turned the retail industry upside down, but it is also responsible for many helpful technological innovations.
Improving Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies in retail is one of the best ways to improve the retail industry. Currently, there are many technological trends in retail that have future potential in the post-pandemic world. Some of these technologies have been mentioned next. So, to know more, do read on:
1. Robotics
Tracking and analysis of shelf inventory, moving goods from shelves, last-mile delivery, and cleaning are some jobs that are not just for humans anymore. Along with AI, Robots can help retailers by improving store operations. Artificial intelligence in retail can provide the needed help as it is a cost-cutting option as well.
Powered by AI, shelf auditing robots, and even aerial drones can sense and scan shelves. These robots in the post-pandemic retail industry can provide autonomous monitoring which can improve inventory management. In fact, these robots will also be helpful in matters related to the pricing of products within the retail store.
In-store customer service robots will be able to navigate consumers within the shop, provide personalized answers for customer’s questions, and help them to find items. These robots can even acquire data to ensure a better understanding of consumer’s likes and dislikes. Besides these, these robots are perfect for maintaining social distancing.
2. Machine learning and Data Science-based
In today’s personalization tools, machine learning (ML) and data science (DS) technologies have progressed greatly. ML and DS-powered engines are now known for providing accurate recommendations to customers.
With such recommendation suggesting engines, there is a plus-point of not annoying customers by telling them to download an app to continue. These engines use incentive based on customer’s needs and desires. In this way, customers can know about different or new products via a recommendation section and make a staff-free purchase from a retail store.
3. Augmented Reality
For a long time now, many experts have suggested the use of augmented reality to improve retail shopping experiences. Now, the demand for augmented reality has increased due to the changes made by this pandemic. You will be interacting with a “try-before-you-buy” approach.
So, customers will be able to interact with products online while shopping. With virtual showrooms and also fitting room, customers have the option to try out a product in virtual spaces. There are many well-known and well-loved brands that have been using this method way before the pandemic took over the whole world.
With this option, a customer will be able to close off virtual objects with actual objects, place virtual objects on the actual surface, have realistic interactions between virtual objects and real ones, and recognize actual objects as well.
These were just three common yet popular post-pandemic technology trends in the retail industry. Besides these, there are many other AI and technological trends out there which can help the retail industry to bounce back.