This IS cliché, but retail is at a crossroads. It seems this cliché has been relevant since the birth of e-comm, now is no different but the stakes are much higher. Post-pandemic digital technology now drives the shopping experience, with mobile commerce expected to reach $6.5 trillion, and 43% of retail e-commerce sales happening on smartphones1. Yet, as digital shopping continues to rise, brick-and-mortar retail remains relevant. Physical retail is not just an alternative place to buy, consumers want to venture out for experiences. Today’s consumers are no longer satisfied with just transactions, they want immersive, escapist retail experiences that…

For decades, science fiction has painted vivid pictures of a world where technology seamlessly integrates into our daily lives — where advertisements recognize us, storefronts adapt in real time, and AI anticipates our needs before we even voice them. Think Minority Report’s hyper-personalized billboards calling out to passersby. Blade Runner 2049’s AI-driven holograms that feel eerily human. Westworld’s immersive environments that shift based on guest behavior. At one point, these were just futuristic visions. But today? This science fiction is turning into reality, especially in retail. Walk into a modern store, and you’ll likely see digital screens showcasing promotions, brand…

Today, brick-and-mortar retailers face the challenge of staying relevant and competitive to consumers. Many forward-thinking brands are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the traditional in-store shopping experience. From enhancing customer service to optimizing inventory management, AI is revolutionizing brick-and-mortar retail in exciting ways. Here are five retail brands at the forefront of this AI-driven revolution: Walmart: As one of the world's largest retailers, Walmart has been an early adopter of AI technologies to enhance its brick-and-mortar operations. One notable application of AI at Walmart is its use of autonomous robots for inventory management. These robots roam store aisles, scanning…

Retailers have always faced continuous challenges of increasing sales, maintaining brand loyalty, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Today specific challenges outside of their control have forced retailers to get more creative and explore new options to win at the retail game.  Here, we explore just three of those challenges, and some of the strategies that retailers are utilizing to face them.  Staffing shortages = more self service technology in-store.  Whether it’s hiring or retention, the volume has been turned up on the staffing challenges retailers face, especially for temporary seasonal holiday workers. Warehouse jobs are posing competition to retailers…

With 2023 around the corner, we take a moment to get inspired by leaders who are daring to innovate, creating great experiences, and leading the way.  On Planning Backwards: “By thinking five to 10 years out and then “playing the movie backward,” you free yourself from the constraints of what is possible now. You can envision year 10 and then figure out what has to happen in year nine, year eight, and so on for the vision to become reality.” Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna On earning your customer’s trust: “Our brands—Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand and Hurley—are loved by customers all…

With the end of year fast approaching, we take a look at what industry experts are projecting for retail trends next year.  Let’s get Phygital: Get used to hearing this catch phrase - coined to capture the idea of seamlessly integrating a physical and digital customer journey. If you are familiar with Reality, you have heard us mention the much more appropriate Customer Driven Retail. With customer loyalty up for grabs (a third of customers reporting to be willing to leave a brand after just one bad experience), retailers are working on meeting customers where they are, and giving them…