In the world of fashion retail, a new player may be entering the scene—AI robots.
According to a recent survey from Klarna, as reported by Yahoo News, a significant number of UK shoppers are open to the idea of robots and AI being integrated into their in-store experience. Roughy a third of respondents expressed willingness to engage with robots that could take their measurements and offer style recommendations.
Many retailers in the UK have been investing in AI as a way to elevate not only the in-store experience, but backend efforts as well—essentially making the end-to-end shopping experience—as streamline as possible. Yahoo outlined some examples of retailers that have already taken some significant steps forward. For example, Marks & Spencer’s acquisition of Thread’s AI-driven styling service focuses on personalizing and tailoring product recommendations for online shoppers. Pandora is planning to automate part of its customer service and enhance the user experience on its website.
Hugo Boss is also leveraging AI to automate stock transfers between stores to match forecasted demand. And just earlier this year, the retailer leveraged the technology to transform its Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Show into a metaverse showroom, which encouraged viewers to experience the even in a more immersive and interactive way.
The synergy between retail and technology continues to evolve, shaping a future where robotic assistants, personalized recommendations, and immersive experiences redefine the way we shop. And not just in the UK, but across the globe, more retailers are gradually thinking outside of the box and looking at new ways to harness the power of emerging tech and target consumers in a more immersive way.
Ultimately, the adoption of robots within the retail space will depend on various factors, including technological advancements, cost-effectiveness, and consumer acceptance. For retailers, it remains to be seen whether the juice is worth the squeeze, as all of this takes money to implement.
