Recent developments in retail technologies focus on enhancing customer experiences and optimizing operations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms enhance demand forecasting and personalized marketing, while cashier-less checkout systems and mobile payment options streamline the purchasing process. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are increasingly used for immersive shopping experiences, allowing customers to visualize products in their environments before purchasing.

Recently, Microsoft organized a webinar titled "AI Showcase in Retail," hosted by Crispin Lowery, General Manager Retail & Consumer Goods EMEA at Microsoft and featuring esteemed speakers including Gaël Ramaen Corporate Vice President, Retail EMEA at BlueYonder, Harry Xenophontos, Chief Partnership Officer at viva.com, Jacqueline Baxter, Director, Experience Design & Content Strategy at Sitecore, and Miriam Molino Sánchez, Head of Industry Practices at Stibo Systems.

This webinar offers valuable insights and effective strategies on artificial intelligence, revolutionizing how retailers and consumer goods companies build brands, create sustainable supply chains, and optimize their market channels and routes. Microsoft and its ecosystem partners are collaborating to bring this transformation to the retail industry through AI innovations.

AI facilitating supply chain and retail - Gaël Ramaen

Gaël highlights how Blue Yonder is solving problems and optimizing operations for its customers including retailers, CPG companies, manufacturers, 3PLs with comprehensive technologies. He further sheds light on the Cognitive supply chain as it leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics to improve decision-making and efficiency. By processing vast amounts of data in real-time, it can predict demand, optimize inventory, and enhance supply chain resilience. AI is crucial in retail and CPG industries for enhancing customer experiences through personalized marketing and optimizing operations with accurate demand forecasting and efficient supply chain management.

Supply chain orchestration involves the seamless coordination and integration of various supply chain processes through advanced technologies and data analytics. This approach ensures efficient resource allocation, improved visibility, and enhanced responsiveness to market demands. 

He gave a walkthrough on Blue Yonder’s generative AI platform, known as Orchestrator, which combines natural language capabilities with supply chain IP to simplify decision-making and provide actionable insights for supply chain management. Gaël ended the discussion with Blue Yonder’s commitment to creating sustainable abundance in supply chain management. By leveraging innovative technologies and data-driven insights, He aims to optimize resources, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency.

Harnessing AI in Fintech - Harry Xenophontos

Harry started the discussion with a brief about viva.com, Europe’s first technology bank for payments, which powers transactions on multiple devices across 24 European markets. Its  Next-Gen Checkout Flows redefines payment standards by offering Tap on Any Device technology for businesses of all sizes. He further adds that viva.com simplifies payment checkout flows for its customers through its AI-enabled Smart Checkout technology. When a customer is ready to make a payment, they are directed to a special payment page hosted by viva.com. There, they provide their payment details and complete the transaction. Once done, they are redirected back to a success page of their choice.

He then showed a demo of viva.com’s Omnichannel solution seamlessly bridges in-person and online sales channels, empowering businesses to meet customer needs effortlessly. By linking sales channels, cross-channel reconciliation becomes streamlined. Furthermore, the Smart Checkout technology enhances the checkout experience, builds loyalty, and supports various payment methods.

Streamlining personalized experience in retail - Jacqueline Baxter

Jacqueline underlines Sitecore Experience Platform (XP), a comprehensive digital experience platform that empowers businesses to deliver personalized and relevant content across various channels and touchpoints. It combines a CMS with rich data, enabling real-time results. Additionally, Sitecore ensures brand loyalty by enabling organizations to deliver personalized and emotionally resonant brand interactions across channels. Sitecore leverages Omnichannel Personalization powered by data and AI, ensuring consistent and relevant experiences across touchpoints.

AI empowers Sitecore to analyze individual user data and behaviours, delivering tailored content, product suggestions,  and real-time offers and recommendations.

She gave a walkthrough of the Sitecore platform emphasizing on Intelligent Content Enrichment to power channel-less commerce experiences, and Conversational Commerce facilitates conversational interactions with customers.

AI-powered creative commerce in retail- Miriam Molino Sánchez

The conversation started with Stibo system’s offerings and features, Miriam mentions Stibo Systems’ Product Master Data Management enables efficient collection, collation, and onboarding of accurate, up-to-date product information from various sources. Multidomain MDM governs different data domains on a single platform, driving insights, agility, and digital transformation. She further adds that Stibo Systems incorporated AI into its intelligent augmented MDM capabilities to automate traditionally manual and time-consuming data-mastering processes and with seamless integration of MDM and generative AI, Stibo Systems combines trusted data with the speed of content production.

Stibo Systems specialises in Creative Commerce for  MDM by harnessing data, enriching content, and orchestrating personalized experiences, it transforms raw information into captivating narratives that resonate with customers, driving loyalty and growth.

Analyst Perspective

The "AI Showcase in Retail" webinar highlights significant advancements in AI technologies reshaping the retail industry. BlueYonder's cognitive supply chain solutions and generative AI platform promise enhanced operational efficiency and sustainability. Viva.com's AI-driven payment solutions streamline checkout experiences, while Sitecore's personalization capabilities and Stibo Systems' AI-powered data management drive customer engagement and loyalty. These insights underscore the pivotal role of AI in transforming supply chains, enhancing customer experiences, and optimizing retail operations.

Author : Avinash Singh, Analyst, Quadrant Knowledge Solutions