Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way retail businesses operate with its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make intelligent predictions. In this article, we will highlight three specific AI applications used by top retailers. 

Lowe's

The LoweBot is an AI-powered robot developed by Lowe's that carries out tasks to help both its employees and customers. Equipped with sensors and cameras that enable it to navigate through the store autonomously,  LoweBots can provide directions to products and share specialty knowledge with customers. By helping customers locate items more efficiently, Lowebots reduce store congestion and help improve the customer experience. Additionally with a vast database of product information, Lowebots can offer recommendations based on customer preferences and requirements. More efficiency and personalization for the typical Lowe’s shopping outing bodes well for Lowe’s customer retention. From the perspective of its human employees, LoweBots are a welcome addition since they handle basic customer inquiries and navigation tasks, allowing employees to focus on more complex tasks. Furthermore, Lowebots assist with inventory monitoring as they constantly collect data about the products on shelves and reference it to inventory levels. 

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 Sephora

With two powerful AI innovations, you can now step into a Sephora store to find your perfect makeup and lip shade without ever putting anything onto your face. These features are Color IQ and Lip IQ. Color IQ utilizes a handheld device equipped with a specialized camera to scan a customer's face and analyze their skin tone. The system then generates personalized recommendations based on undertones and skin type for foundation and concealer shades that match the customer's complexion. Lip IQ works similarly but is tailored for the lips. It uses advanced image recognition technology to scan a customer's lips and suggest the ideal lipstick shades to complement their skin tone and preferences. This AI also accounts for a variety of factors such as undertones, desired finish (matte, satin, glossy), and intensity (sheer, medium, full coverage) to provide the optimal suggestion. Both features have eliminated the tedious, physical trial and error component of finding the right product, saving customers time and helping them  discover products that are likely to be a better match for them. 

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Neiman Marcus

Luxury department store Neiman Marcus uses AI to make it easier for customers to find items with an AI powered app called Snap. This tool allows users to take pictures of items they see while out and about and then search Neiman Marcus inventory to find the same or a similar item. The technology works by comparing the visual features of the photographed item with the store's extensive inventory to identify similar products. Once the AI system identifies visually similar items, it provides users with a list of product recommendations that closely match the photographed item including similar products available for purchase at Neiman Marcus. By leveraging visual search technology, Neiman Marcus streamlines the product discovery process for customers. Users can easily find items they are interested in by simply taking a picture, eliminating the need to rely solely on vague text-based searches. Furthermore, the integration of AI-powered visual search technology offers a novel and interactive way for customers to explore Neiman Marcus products, fostering a deeper connection between customers and the brand.

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