As Retail Express releases a guide to AI integration in retail, its COO Ed Betts explains the first steps retailers can take to overcome fragmented data, move beyond legacy systems, and harness the full power of artificial intelligence.
While AI has been grabbing headlines and presenting a vision of what is to come, AI is real and effective right now, and it forms the keystone of the retail industry’s future.
But for many businesses, the journey to AI feels like a daunting one. Fragmented data systems, legacy processes, and a fear of the unknown make AI retailing feel like an unassailable goal. Yes, AI transformation is ambitious, and there are challenges to overcome, but the rewards far outweigh the initial effort, and it is achievable if taken one step at a time.
Adopting an AI mindset and preparing for change have to come first. This is an acknowledgement of the challenges faced by retailers and the need to get AI-ready. To do AI right, retailers should be able to offer it a clean and consistent source of data – something which traditional retail practices have not really supported in the past.
The power of data unity
Retail tactics have evolved over time. This has led to a piecemeal construction of back-end processes, which in turn means siloed data held in different locations, in different formats, and rely on different legacy systems that do not communicate with each other.
Business functions might appear to work adequately with data held in this fractured structure, but fragmentation adds friction. The truth is that a legacy retailing structure IS broken when compared to that of retailers that have begun the AI transition underpinned and lubricated by unified data. A failure to innovate in data integration will leave legacy businesses struggling to catch up.
True benefits of retail AI
Buy-in is vital. Understanding exactly what retail AI is, what it can do, and how it differs from the generative AI of tools like ChatGPT is critical. Put simply, retail AI is practical. It’s a tool for calculation and analysis which builds efficiency and productivity, one with numerous direct applications which make retail businesses run more smoothly. AI-driven decision making, for example, cuts the time required to find business data, analyse it, and action it.
A move towards AI does not mean losing control, but it does free senior staff to focus on broad strategy rather than repetitive, tactical tasks. AI can optimise pricing, predict trends, assist supplier negotiations, and help enhance supply chain resilience. AI offers retailers a huge productivity advantage, extra agility when the market is disrupted, and a route to boosted profitability.
Operational steps for preparation
Practically, then, how does a business go about preparing itself to transition to an AI-driven retailing model? The first stage is really about taking some initial actions, none of which demand any disruption of day-to-day business operations – this is about being prepared and fully understanding the company’s true structure. These foundational actions generate knowledge and form the essential basis of a plan for AI transition.
Action 1: Audit systems and skills
Retailers need to know their current state before they can move to a new one. Leadership must answer key questions on preparedness. How are disruptions and crises currently handled? Do existing systems have the agility to cope with future challenges? Does the business have skilled staff who understand AI’s potential – and, if not, where are the knowledge gaps?
Action 2: Foster support for AI
A move to AI is dependent on internal buy-in. Discover the ways that AI could make a difference. Read literature, research similar projects, and perhaps appoint an AI ambassador to help spread the message of AI within the business. AI’s ubiquity means the topic is at the front of people’s minds – help them understand what it really means in practice.
Action 3: Build the business case
Justify the transition to AI by building a business case with costs and timelines. Lay out clear goals, plan broad waypoints, and identify the benefits that AI can deliver to the business. Equally, perform a cost / benefit analysis balancing the required investment in AI against expected gains in productivity, efficiency and profitability.
Action 4: Review the data
Data is AI’s most important asset, so a full review of the state of business data – where it’s stored, how accessible it is, how current it is – is essential to discover any gaps in availability, accuracy, or integration. Centralised, accessible, clean data is the backbone of AI readiness, so finding out exactly what’s happening is a crucial step.
Ready to start your journey to AI?
‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ says the ancient Chinese proverb, and it holds true today. Any retailer that is considering the introduction of AI into their business has already put that first foot forward. The momentum of those key foundational actions – auditing, task force creation, creating a business case and performing a data review – will carry them further.
AI will provide the analytics that will support and even secure retail’s future. Retail Express’ whitepaper provides a comprehensive guide to AI integration in retail, emphasising that AI adoption isn’t optional but essential for competitive survival. It presents AI as a journey that retailers can undertake to gain critical advantages in efficiency, customer experience, and market competitiveness.
