Honeywell announced its results AI in Retail Research It reveals that more than 80% of US retailers plan to increase their use of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2025. The study highlights how artificial intelligence is transforming retail operations to improve employee satisfaction as well as address issues related to returns management, customer service and product availability. skills.
Integrating AI in retail operations
According to the survey, 35% of large retailers intend to significantly expand their investment in artificial intelligence in the next year. Retailers are finding AI and automation essential to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and optimize omni-channel operations.
“We are truly in the midst of a new era for the retail sector, where emerging AI capabilities will positively impact the shopper journey, employee experience and retailer supply chain operations,” said David Barker, president of Honeywell Productivity Solutions. Services. “On the journey toward autonomous operations, retailers are looking for AI and automation solutions that provide actionable data and help empower their employees.”
Enhancing the Employee Experience
The survey shows that artificial intelligence plays an important role in improving workplace satisfaction and efficiency for retail employees. Key findings include:
- More than 50% of retail leaders say AI has improved employee retention.
- 52% believe that AI helps employees advance their careers by enhancing soft skills and adding value to their roles.
- 60% of managers said that AI tools make tasks easier, and 55% said that these tools increase job satisfaction.
As the US retail industry faces a projected loss of over 580,000 jobs in 2025, AI is expected to support employee development and retention by contributing to better customer service.
The impact of artificial intelligence on buyers
AI adoption is also changing the shopping experience. Two-thirds of consumers surveyed reported using artificial intelligence while shopping, citing features such as chatbots, price comparison tools and review summaries.
The survey highlighted popular consumer use cases:
- 53% of respondents identified price comparison as the most valuable AI application.
- 41% trusted AI to check product availability.
- 34% used artificial intelligence for a simplified and seamless checkout experience.
These opportunities align with the retail sector’s focus on improving the customer experience across online and in-store channels.
What this means for small businesses
Although the survey was aimed at large retailers, smaller businesses can gain valuable insights from these findings. As large retailers expand their investments in AI, small businesses should consider adopting scalable AI tools to stay competitive. Solutions such as AI-powered chatbots, automated inventory management and data analytics can increase efficiency and improve customer experiences without requiring significant investment.
Small businesses can start by identifying specific operational challenges, such as streamlining checkout processes or managing stock levels, and exploring affordable AI technologies tailored to their needs. These initial steps can help small retailers stay competitive in an increasingly artificial intelligence-driven market.
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