Expanding customer experiences in retail – AI bringing business back in store

Are personalised and extended customer experiences in retail something that is evident in the requests made of Philips Professional Displays?

This is certainly a fast developing trend, made possible by the incredible advances of AI. From a retail point of view this has far reaching potential, as well. We have already seen how software solutions have advanced connecting with customers by the use of physical sensors and pre-set choices. It’s those same possibilities, and more besides, that are moving forward with AI models giving more customisation and precision to the media delivery.

For example, AI powered retail signage can analyse customer demographics, dwell time, and emotional engagement to dynamically adjust the ads being shown in real time. That allows stores to provide a more tailored experience – whether for the customer who wants to be in store for as little time as possible, or the one who would prefer to browse, interact, and enjoy their retail time.

The same in restaurants and QSRs, interactive kiosks can provide personalised recommendations, guiding customers through choices not only based on predetermined ‘what goes well together’ but also on demographic profile. It’s all more possible with integrated AI processing.

The benefits of Edge AI empowered digital signage don’t stop there, though, and they can also support store owners with stock management using AI driven forecasting. And, of course, energy efficiency. That’s because the integrated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are optimised for parallel AI operations while consuming significantly less power than traditional CPUs or GPUs. This makes them ideal for always on digital signage applications that require continuous operation with minimal heat

What benefits do bringing analytics and customer insight together on digital displays offer to retailers as their customers’ expectations evolve?

We’re back to the age old conundrum of how to bring footfall into the store instead of online. Experience focused stores that add in that personal touch – really knowing who their customers are through a mix of loyalty scheme based learnings, built in demographical recognition, etc. – win every time here. Using signage displays to provide the best of digital, while also creating unique and personalised experiences, still supported by real people, are crucial for building better brand loyalty and keeping those customers coming back for more.

How will the use of AI in retail develop in the next few years?

As with all AI, this will develop at an incredible rate as providers develop better, faster and ever more complex-made-easy solutions. Personalised store journeys will continue to develop, perhaps even allowing shoppers to once again (if they want it) enjoy that tailored service that was delivered by attentive store assistants in years long gone by, either completely digitally or, perhaps better, with in person assistants who are supported with access to the data to inform their recommendations.

Digital signage with integrated NPUs – those offering the opportunity for AI on the Edge – enable stores to benefit from the savings on energy and better data security possibilities (another increasing trend) made possible by keeping that processing local, while delivering more and more personalised experiences to every customer.