E-commerce is becoming increasingly popular in retail. However, although online shopping provides the benefits of being quick and easy, it can sometimes fall flat due to a lack of consultative customer service.

Here’s how AI could change the retail industry over the next few years…

Recommendations
One of the most effective features of online shopping is recommendations. In fact, one study found that 70% of customers are more likely to buy a product based on recommendations.

In large retail stores, small beacon devices are starting to be used. They transmit signals that are picked up by smartphones, pushing content to the phones whilst consumers shop.

Security

Security is a rising issue at checkouts as customers can steal items more easily. Drones could perhaps become the solution for aiding with securing retail stores and warehouses through providing an ‘eye in the sky’!

In some ways, this also shows that sometimes, you just can’t beat real human interaction!

Robotic Assistance
Let’s face it, stocking, pricing and facing products inside a store is tedious and time-consuming, not to mention prone to human error. Most retailers probably won’t ever use robots, but some large retailers such as Walmart are trying out robots to scan aisles for missing products!