Retail-based robots now have more social features and functions
Trend - Retail bots are no longer only designed to offer assistance in-store--they're now also dealing with some of the social interactions associated with brick and mortar shopping. These bots are designed to foster good will and do everything from greeting customers to bringing them snacks.
Insight - With smart retail solutions becoming increasingly common, some consumers miss the social interactions that come with shopping in brick and mortar stores. These consumers are drawn to businesses that prioritize their experience as a customer despite the convenience-based innovations they're investing in.
Insight - With smart retail solutions becoming increasingly common, some consumers miss the social interactions that come with shopping in brick and mortar stores. These consumers are drawn to businesses that prioritize their experience as a customer despite the convenience-based innovations they're investing in.
Workshop Question - How is your brand ensuring its customers are engaged throughout the purchase journey?
Trend Themes
1. Social Retail Bots - Retail-based robots that foster good will and engage in social interactions with customers are becoming increasingly common, presenting a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to prioritize customer experience as a means of standing out.
2. AI-powered Retail Assistance - With more and more retailers focusing on automating customer-facing interactions, AI-powered retail assistance bots offer an opportunity for businesses to personalize customer experiences and automate mundane tasks while gathering valuable data on consumer preferences.
3. Inventory-scanning Robots - Inventory-scanning robots allow for more efficient and accurate inventory management, making it easier for companies to monitor pricing changes, product availability and avoid out-of-stocks while freeing up staff members for more customer-facing or value-adding tasks.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The retail industry as a whole is embracing robotic and AI-powered solutions to offer seamless, personalized, and contact-free customer experiences.
2. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can utilize similar robotic solutions as the retail industry, particularly AI-powered assistance bots, to offer enhanced experiences while empowering staff members to focus on higher value-adding tasks.
3. Manufacturing - Manufacturers can utilize inventory-scanning robots and similar solutions to optimize production processes, monitor quality control, and free up staff members for higher value-adding tasks.
