Brand Experience

Today’s shoppers demand transparency, convenience, and personalized experiences. Digital price tags—also known as electronic shelf labels (ESLs)—are emerging as a powerful solution to meet these expectations. By offering real-time pricing updates, detailed product information, and seamless integration with inventory systems, ESLs help retailers reduce costs and enhance both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Leading brands like Walmart and Carrefour are already harnessing this technology to stay ahead of the competition and deliver the exceptional shopping experiences that consumers now expect.

RFID vs. Digital Price Tags: Distinct Technologies with Unique Roles

RFID and digital price tackle different aspects of the customer journey—each enhancing the other. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) works behind the scenes, using microchips embedded in products to ensure real-time tracking and accurate stock management. This allows retailers to streamline inventory processes, reduce stockouts, and accelerate checkout speeds by eliminating manual scanning.

In contrast, digital price tags, or electronic shelf labels (ESLs), focus on the consumer-facing side of retail. These digital displays on store shelves instantly convey up-to-date pricing, special offers, and even detailed product information like ingredients or customer reviews. Together, RFID and ESLs create an integrated, frictionless experience. While RFID optimizes inventory and backend logistics, ESLs directly engage customers with transparent, real-time data—resulting in smoother, faster, and more satisfying shopping experiences.

Streamlining Checkout with RFID: A Win for Customers and Retailers

RFID technology offers a game-changing solution, especially in high-traffic retail environments like grocery stores, where checkout speed is crucial. By automatically detecting every item in a cart without needing manual barcode scans, RFID accelerates the checkout process, drastically cutting down wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction. This means that retailers can serve more customers in less time, especially during busy periods, without sacrificing service quality.

As highlighted by Mediaset Retail, RFID-enabled checkout counters instantly scan and register all items in a cart, transforming what would typically be a lengthy checkout into a seamless, near-instantaneous experience. This efficiency not only reduces customer frustration, but also leads to increased spending, as happy and stress-free shoppers are more likely to make additional purchases. The smoother the process, the more likely it is that consumers will keep returning, creating a cycle of positive customer experiences and loyalty.

Beyond improving checkout efficiency, RFID helps retailers manage inventory in real time, ensuring that stock levels are accurate for both in-store and online orders. While the initial investment in RFID systems may seem significant, the long-term return on investment—through operational savings, increased customer loyalty, and improved shopping experiences—makes it a vital technology for the future of omnichannel retail.

Digital Price Tags Can Provide More Transparency to Consumers

Modern digital price tags, such as electronic shelf labels (ESLs), offer far more than just pricing information. Enhanced with technologies like Near Field Communication (NFC) and Quick Response (QR) codes, these tags provide consumers with valuable insights, including nutritional details, allergen warnings, stock availability, product reviews, and even real-time currency exchange rates. Some advanced Bluetooth-enabled ESLs take personalization a step further by delivering tailored promotions or price comparisons directly to shoppers’ mobile devices.

As Chute Gerdeman highlights, consumers crave immersive, personalized experiences, driving a compelling case for investment in “phygital” retail strategies that blend digital capabilities with physical environments. Personalized shopping experiences can increase consumer spending by as much as 40%, underscoring the financial upside of adopting ESL technology.

ESLs also streamline operations, allowing retailers to rapidly update pricing, sometimes as frequently as six times an hour. This minimizes confusion, reduces labor costs, and eliminates errors associated with manual updates. However, retailers must be cautious about consumer perceptions of dynamic pricing. While ESLs can support seamless promotional updates, 68% of US adults view dynamic pricing as price gouging. Transparency and clear communication about pricing strategies will be critical for retailers to maximize the benefits of digital price tags while maintaining customer trust.

Are Digital Price Tags Worth the Investment?

Digital price tags offer compelling advantages that go beyond their upfront costs, positioning retailers to stay competitive and meet evolving customer expectations.

Cost Savings: Replacing traditional paper tags with ESLs eliminates printing and labor expenses associated with frequent price updates. These savings contribute to a strong ROI over time. Moreover, ESLs enhance operational efficiency by notifying employees of low stock levels, enabling quicker replenishment. For example, Asda’s use of ESLs in Stevenage reportedly saved 60,000 sheets of A4 paper, as noted by The Grocer.

Integrated Logistics: ESLs provide real-time inventory alerts, improving supply chain communication and ensuring a seamless flow of products. When items are out of stock, digital tags can inform customers how long the product will be unavailable, enhancing transparency.

Less Food Waste: Grocery stores can rapidly reduce perishable foods using dynamic pricing before their expiration date, saving tons of food from the trash, and reducing methane from the environment, as well as expensive landfill fees and higher grocery costs for consumers.

Enhanced Product Discovery: By integrating with third-party apps, ESLs enable consumers to locate products, check availability, and receive accessibility-friendly alerts when they are near desired items.

Advanced Analytics: Digital price tags offer retailers valuable insights into consumer behavior. By tracking where shoppers spend the most time and identifying high-traffic areas, retailers can optimize store layouts and better cater to customer preferences.

The Human Touch in a Tech-Driven Future

While technology like digital price tags and RFID systems provides the foundation for automation and smarter decision-making, humans remain central to shaping exceptional customer experiences (CX). Retail associates play a pivotal role in driving satisfaction and loyalty through empathetic, personalized engagement.

By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining processes, technology empowers retail staff to focus on meaningful interactions with customers. This synergy between human connection and technological innovation elevates CX, ensuring a seamless and memorable shopping journey that resonates with consumers on a deeper level.

As we look at the insights from 2024 holiday shopping trends, several key themes have emerged, shaping how consumers are approaching spending and how retailers can adapt to meet their needs. Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

1. Early Holiday Shopping Trends are Becoming the Norm

In 2024, consumers began holiday shopping earlier than ever. Many started as early as August, with more than half of shoppers beginning by October. Consumers planned to spend as much or more in 2024, but the shift to early shopping has been largely driven by a desire to spread out expenses and capitalize on early promotions. Retailers who ramped up supply chains and launched holiday campaigns early have seen the benefits of engaging shoppers before the traditional holiday rush.

2. Price Sensitivity Is Increasing

Economic pressures have heightened consumer focus on price, with two-thirds of global shoppers prioritizing affordability when choosing where to shop. Many shoppers are also turning to value-driven alternatives, including private labels, the sharing economy, discount stores, as well as platforms like Temu, AliExpress, and Shein, challenging retailers to deliver competitive pricing without eroding brand value.

3. Omnichannel Shopping Is Essential

2024 has shown that consumers are increasingly expecting a seamless omnichannel experience. They want to shop online, check in-store availability, and enjoy the convenience of buying online and picking up in store (BOPIS). Retailers are realizing that investing in a mobile-first strategy is key to capturing sales. Mobile shopping continues to dominate, with more than half of online transactions occurring on mobile devices, making responsive web design and mobile-optimized checkout crucial.

4. AI Is Revolutionizing Customer Experience

AI tools and generative AI (GenAI) are playing an increasingly important role in retail this holiday season. From personalized recommendations to inventory management, AI is helping retailers enhance the customer experience by predicting trends, offering tailored shopping suggestions, and providing chatbots for immediate support. Retailers leveraging AI are better able to deliver customized discounts and promotions at scale, which is critical for converting browsing shoppers into buyers.

5. The Rise of Self-Gifting

Self-gifting, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, is becoming a significant trend. Many consumers are not only purchasing gifts for others, but are also buying for themselves. Retailers are tapping into this trend by promoting deals that encourage self-gifting, especially in categories like fashion, beauty, and branded merchandise. Offering “buy one, get one” promotions or personalized shopping experiences helps encourage these purchases.

6. Sustainability Remains a Priority

Consumers, especially younger generations, are making purchasing decisions based on sustainability. 80% of Millennials and 66% of Gen Z consider sustainability an important factor in their buying behavior—and they’re willing to pay 9.7% higher prices for it. Retailers are responding by promoting eco-friendly products, sustainable packaging, and integrating sustainability goals into their overall business strategies. Transparent sustainability practices are becoming a key differentiator in the crowded holiday marketplace.

7. Traditional In-Store Events Are Losing Ground

While in-person shopping is still important, traditional events like Black Friday are losing their appeal. Consumers are increasingly gravitating toward online shopping events like Cyber Monday, which has now extended into Cyber Week. The shift toward longer shopping events allows retailers to capture sales across a broader window of time and meet the demands of multiple generations. As a result, retailers are refining their marketing strategies to target specific demographics on the most effective platforms—TikTok for Gen Z, Facebook for older consumers, and email for others.

8. The Silent Generation’s Spending Power Is Underestimated

While much attention is paid to Millennials and Gen Z, it’s becoming clear that the Silent Generation (those aged 75+) holds significant spending power. Research shows that while they do not plan to spend as much as Millennials this holiday season, their buying behaviors are often overlooked by retailers focused on younger generations. Inclusive marketing strategies that speak to older consumers could prove to be a lucrative opportunity for retailers in 2024.

9. Social Commerce Is Booming

Social commerce has grown substantially, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook driving direct sales through engaging, shoppable content. Social commerce sales in the U.S. more than doubled between 2020 and 2023, and 2024 is expected to follow this trajectory. As mobile-first shopping continues to rise, retailers are increasingly leveraging social media to meet consumers where they spend a significant amount of time and to provide a seamless, shoppable experience.

10. Consumers Are More Willing to Shop Through Discounted Platforms

While big-box retailers and well-known brands are still dominant players, discount platforms like Temu and AliExpress are gaining traction. Offering a wide range of products at lower prices, these platforms appeal to budget-conscious consumers looking for deals. This competitive threat will likely shape the strategies of major retailers in 2025 and beyond, who will need to balance value-driven offers with maintaining brand loyalty.

How Retailers Can Thrive in 2025

As 2024 ends, the blueprint for retail success in 2025 is taking shape. The retailers thriving this season have embraced early shopping trends, invested in personalized experiences, and demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainability. These are no longer just tactics—they are strategic imperatives for future growth.

Looking ahead, retail leaders must prioritize agility and innovation to meet evolving consumer demands. Early and decisive action on AI-driven solutions, omnichannel excellence, and mobile-first strategies will set industry leaders apart. At the same time, the rise of self-gifting, value-driven platforms, and social commerce presents untapped opportunities that demand attention.

The path forward is clear: to remain competitive, retailers must lead with a customer-centric vision, seamlessly blend digital and in-person experiences, and foster trust through transparency and purpose-driven strategies. The retailers who execute on these priorities will not only navigate change but define the future of retail.

By integrating financial services into their retail platforms, businesses are unlocking new revenue streams while enhancing customer loyalty and engagement. By offering financing options like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), retailers can increase revenue and deepen customer engagement. With the global embedded finance industry projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 27.5%, this movement signals a shift in consumer expectations and retail strategies. For retail leaders, the message is clear: embedded lending is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity.

Expanding Access with Embedded Lending

Embedded lending democratizes access to financial services by evaluating creditworthiness through alternative data, allowing more customers to participate. Philipp Buschmann, Co-Founder and CEO of AAZZUR, emphasized in Retail Voices how this innovation creates a competitive marketplace, enabling retailers to act as financial service providers. Customers who might not qualify for traditional loans can secure financing, resulting in increased sales and broader consumer reach.

Unlocking New Revenue Streams

Partnering with third-party lenders offers retailers diversified revenue streams while enhancing the customer experience. Starbucks provides a prime example; by embedding financial products, the company has personalized customer interactions, driven brand growth, and outpaced competitors in building deep customer relationships. According to Bain, payments and lending dominate embedded financial services, complemented by value-added offerings like insurance and tax services.

For retailers, these partnerships generate additional income and elevate brand loyalty, creating a virtuous cycle of engagement and profitability.

The Gen Z and Millennial Imperative

Embedded lending has become a strategic priority for retailers targeting Gen Z and Millennials. A third of these consumers say they would abandon a purchase if financing options weren’t available. Lenovo and Jerome’s Furniture showcase how embedding lending into the purchase journey drives higher order values and loyalty. By offering instant credit decisions at checkout, they remove financial barriers and streamline the customer experience.

Retailers that fail to adapt risk alienating these crucial demographics—and losing ground to competitors.

Transforming B2B Transactions

Embedded lending’s impact isn’t limited to consumers; it’s revolutionizing B2B transactions as well. Anil Stocker, CEO of Kriya, predicts a “colossal” impact on efficiency and growth, enabling faster credit approvals, seamless payments, and steady cash flow for retailers.

For B2B buyers, embedded lending expands purchasing power, making large orders more feasible without delays. For retailers, it ensures reliable cash flow and fosters stronger supplier relationships. Integrating financing directly into B2B platforms will empower businesses to grow while meeting customer demands for flexibility and speed.

Future Trends: AI, Blockchain, and DeFi

The future of embedded lending is being shaped by cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain. These innovations are poised to transform the retail finance landscape by enhancing efficiency, personalization, and security.

AI and Machine Learning

According to EY, AI and ML will revolutionize embedded finance in several key ways:

• Risk Assessment: By analyzing vast data sets, AI can predict repayment likelihood with precision.
• Credit Scoring: Retailers can use AI to assess creditworthiness and determine lending terms instantly.
• Personalized Offers: Tailored financing options can be crafted based on customers’ spending habits and credit profiles.
• Inclusion: AI supports alternative lending models like peer-to-peer and crowdfunding, expanding access to financial services.
• Fraud Detection: Advanced AI systems enhance security by identifying and preventing fraudulent transactions.

Blockchain and Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

Blockchain technology and DeFi are set to further enhance embedded finance by facilitating near-instant transaction settlements and reducing counterparty risk. According to PYMNTS, DeFi protocols streamline payment systems and improve cash flow efficiency. Retailers that adopt these technologies will position themselves as leaders in providing seamless, secure, and transparent financial services.

By integrating these advanced technologies, retailers can offer cutting-edge financial solutions that not only meet consumer expectations but also drive long-term growth.

Challenges with Embedded Lending

Retailers do face certain challenges in embedding the necessary technology, especially using legacy systems. There are several hurdles many retailers will need to overcome to not only be able to offer comprehensive embedded finance, but to convince their customers that the option is secure. There are several third-party solutions entering the market who can help retailers make the leap forward.

By embedding an entire body of financial services, such as payments, lending, insurance, and investment options, directly into their platforms, retailers will be able to offer much more personalized services that make the shopping experience more efficient and convenient. The automobile industry tapped into this a long time ago, offering in-house and on-the-spot financing so that customers can drive away in the car of their dreams.

As we’ve seen with loyalty programs, customers are only willing to provide information to retailers if they feel that their information is protected and secure. It may take extensive communication to relieve consumers of the concerns they might have about retailers obtaining financial information.

The regulatory environment is going to require retailers to offer some of the same considerations – such as disputing charges on BNPL and other embedded financial services – as are offered with credit card purchases. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has already taken action to ensure consumer protections are in place.

The Future of Retail Finance

The evolution of embedded finance marks a turning point for retail. Retailers that embrace this opportunity will distinguish themselves as leaders in delivering personalized, convenient, and secure financial solutions. By addressing challenges and investing in advanced technologies, forward-thinking retail executives can position their brands for long-term success in a competitive and rapidly evolving landscape.

Embedded lending is not just an addition to retail—it’s the foundation of a future-ready, customer-centric approach to shopping.

Navigating Dupe Culture

Dupe culture has emerged as a disruptive trend within retail, signaling a powerful shift in consumer spending, especially among Gen Z shoppers. For retailers, this growing demand for “dupes” is not simply about cost-effectiveness; it’s a shift that could redefine brand equity and reshape market positioning. As Gen Z, a generation marked by financial prudence and a heightened awareness of value, becomes a dominant consumer force, retailers must consider how dupe culture could influence both their customer base and overall brand perception.

The Allure of Dupes

Dupe culture—short for “duplicate”—is a phenomenon in which consumers actively seek nearly identical, lower-cost alternatives (“dupes”) to premium products that match in quality or functionality. Popular categories for dupes include luxury makeup, skincare, and designer apparel, with fast-fashion brands like Shein and Temu leading the way by providing cheap alternatives.

From home décor and tech gadgets to fashion accessories, dupe culture spans industries, allowing cost-conscious consumers to find “luxury for less.” This rising preference for dupes challenges traditional brand loyalty and raises the stakes for retailers aiming to balance premium offerings with value-based options.

The Consumer Appeal of Dupes

The dupe trend is reshaping consumer culture, with influencers actively hunting for budget-friendly alternatives to high-end clothing, beauty products, and home décor. This pursuit is not just about savings; it’s the thrill of discovery and the joy of sharing these finds. Unearthing a worthy dupe brings a sense of accomplishment; there’s no shame in choosing a “knock-off.”

“The rise of dupe culture speaks to a generational shift in consumption of goods and media,” said Jennifer Baker, growth marketing leader at creator management platform Grin. “Previous generations may have shopped for knockoffs on the sly, but Gen Z has not only normalized buying knockoffs or generic products, but has grown the #dupe movement into one of the most searched terms on social media.”

According to eMarketer, around one-third of makeup consumers ages 18 to 34 (33%) and 25 to 34 (35%) bought a dupe due to something they saw on social media. And research conducted by Alexandra J. Roberts for Northeastern University’s School of Law, revealed that “71% of Gen Z  and 67% of Millennials report they sometimes or always buy dupes. Where older generations clandestinely purchased dupes hoping to pass them off as the real thing, young bargain-hunters eschew gatekeeping and proudly share their finds with friends and followers.”

One-third of makeup consumers ages 18 to 34 buy dupes inspired by social media. Research from Northeastern University shows 71% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials regularly purchase dupes, proudly sharing their finds as a badge of value over exclusivity. This financially savvy approach is redefining brand loyalty and pushing retailers to rethink how they deliver value.

Gen Z’s financially savvy, value-driven approach is fueling the rise of dupe culture. This generation is redefining brand loyalty, pushing retailers to reconsider how they deliver value and exclusivity.

Hashtags like #DupeAlert or #DupeCulture make it easy for consumers to find these alternatives. However, according to Roberts, “Amazon has banned its use in product descriptions, TikTok has blocked the hashtag #designerdupe, and Target’s legal team forbids the company from saying the word.”

Consumers know how to get around the hashtag and still share their favorite finds. BuzzFeed published a list of Amazon products that were “very similar” to higher-priced products; DUPETHAT, an Instagram influencer, doesn’t use the hashtag in her posts but has over a million followers.

But it’s about more than just finding a less expensive alternative to a popular luxury brand. It’s also about the thrill of discovery. This challenge to the traditional notion of luxury, where exclusivity and price once defined value, is driven in part by the constant companion of economic uncertainty over the past several years. Most shoppers are more budget-conscious, and dupe culture allows them to indulge in luxury experiences without the luxury price tag.

But for brands, it can be another story. When a $10 foundation is hailed as a perfect match for a $50 high-end product, it can dilute the prestige associated with the original brand. However, some brands have embraced dupe culture by marketing themselves as an affordable alternative to luxury, while other designers are creating their own dupes to capture market share.

Brands Thriving in Dupe Culture

e.l.f. Cosmetics has embraced dupe culture by aligning closely with its target audience. Influencer Marketing Factory attributes e.l.f.’s success to how it has “adopted the voice of its loyal beauty community, leaning into Gen-Z slang, TikTok trends, and playful comments.”

Olaplex, a pioneer in “bond-building” hair care, has also capitalized on dupe culture. When the hashtag #olaplexdupe hit over 30 million views on TikTok, the brand humorously joined the trend by sending influencers a “viral dupe” of a fake product, Oladupé No. 160, to turn imitation into brand engagement.

Lululemon hosted a “dupe swap” that allowed consumers to trade their dupes for branded versions. This came after a viral TikTok highlighted leggings that closely resembled Lululemon’s at a lower price point.

H&M and Mugler collaborated to create accessible high-fashion pieces, embracing the blending of luxury and fast-fashion. Fast-fashion retailers like H&M and Target openly sell duped products, generating buzz and catering to demand for high-quality yet affordable alternatives. These partnerships benefit designers by expanding brand visibility and reaching new audiences.

Sophie Hardie, client director at the Goat Agency, advises brands to lean into dupe culture. She says, “Brands don’t need to worry about their reputation being damaged… Instead of fighting dupes, high-end brands should light-heartedly engage with popular culture, showing confidence in their brand’s power.”

The Future of Dupes: Risks and Opportunities in Retail

As dupe culture expands, it brings both challenges and opportunities to retail. While dupes may not directly infringe on IP, the line between inspiration and imitation is increasingly blurred, with some designers seeing dupe culture as unregulated and exploitative. One indie designer described how an Amazon seller duplicated her product and used AI to alter her promotional videos without permission; another went viral after alleging a major retailer appropriated her original designs. Such cases underscore the vulnerability of creatives in a world where duplication technology is advancing rapidly.

Looking ahead, retailers may face more regulatory scrutiny. Evolving IP laws could strengthen protections for designers, especially around unauthorized AI use to imitate original work. This also raises concerns about consumer trust, as shoppers may struggle to distinguish authentic products from replicas. Retailers should innovate to help their brands stand out from fast-fashion dupes.

A crucial aspect of dupe culture is its environmental impact. Fast fashion, largely driven by dupes, contributes more to climate change than aviation and shipping combined, with textile production responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution, according to a report from a The Fifth Agency. Brands that emphasize fair labor practices and sustainable sourcing could gain loyalty and stand apart from dupe-centric competitors.

Ultimately, brands can address the rise of dupe culture by focusing on quality and authenticity while embracing transparent, ethical, and eco-conscious initiatives that resonate with today’s values-driven consumers.

Forget DIY! DIFM (Do-It-For-Me) is the new name of the retail game, driven by AI technology that includes conversational AI chatbots, AI-driven personalized recommendations, and powerful data analytics for better decision-making. Time-pressed consumers are increasingly outsourcing not just tasks but decisions, creating a golden opportunity for retailers.

The “Do-It-For-Me” economy and its overlap with AI is transforming retail. AI-powered home reordering to virtual beauty consultations, DIFM services offer convenience and personalization that busy customers crave. Let’s breakdown the benefits and the implications.

Why Do-It-For-Me?

The DIFM economy is growing as consumers increasingly prefer services where experts or automated systems complete tasks on their behalf, rather than the traditional DIY (Do-It-Yourself) approach. It’s a shift driven by convenience, time savings, and the desire for professional results.

“The do-it-for-me movement caters to consumers who don’t have the time, resources, or desire to complete a certain task. So, whereas DIY would involve teaching a customer how to complete a task themselves, DIFM would have a business do the job for them. Although the do-it-yourself (DIY) trend had its time to shine, it’s now fading away. Replacing it is the do-it-for-me (DIFM) movement, which is changing how customers interact with businesses and how companies respond to consumer demand” – Business.com

How Does AI Function in the DIFM Economy?

We’ve explored in depth how AI can improve retail and restaurants. But AI is an essential component of the DIFM economy, providing sophisticated tools and technologies that cater to growing consumer demand for convenience and efficiency. In retail, this manifests in several ways:

Customized Recommendations – Because AI can crunch data quickly and effectively, it becomes a powerful tool for personalized shopping. Brands offering personalized shopping experiences see a 40% increase in consumer spending. Using the customer’s historical purchases, online searches, and demographic information, it can serve up recommendations to customers in-store or online. This not only makes them feel noticed and catered to but also increases their loyalty and spend.

Virtual Assistants – A retail AI chatbot offers a human-like experience with conversational AI capable of responding naturally, answering questions, and functioning as a virtual assistant to help customers find products and make purchases. AI chatbots have proven to be game changers in the retail industry, boosting sales by an impressive average of 67%. Notably, 26% of all sales originate from initial interactions. According to Gartner, Chatbots are predicted to become the primary channel for customer service in 25% of all businesses by 2027.

Automated Service – Once again, chatbots for retail come to the rescue, providing rapid, no-wait customer service for everything from locating products to processing returns. The instant service provided through automation increases customer satisfaction – gone are the days of waiting on hold for 20 minutes for the next available customer service rep. Customers now get immediate gratification with conversation AI and can escalate to a human when needed.

Walmart has been developing DIFM solutions that are enhancing the consumer experience.

• Voice shopping through Walmart Voice Order allows customers to effortlessly reorder items using their smart speakers and mobile devices.
• Text to Shop lets customers conveniently search for, add or remove items from their carts, reorder favorites, and schedule pickups or deliveries via quick text conversations on iOS and Android devices.

Walmart continues enhancing its mobile app experience to provide a more personalized shopping trip for customers on the go. An improved search tool now provides suggestions and recommendations tailored individually based on location, past purchases, product interests, and browsing history. Customers can also now find recommendations in dedicated sections of the app, like trending near me, new arrivals, rollbacks, and more.

Augmented Reality (AR) and DIFM Retail

AR is playing a huge role in changing how consumers shop. Whether in-store or online, AR allows customers to “try before you buy.” How? With AI interior design, you can use AI home rendering to visualize how a product will look in your room. Similarly, you can virtually try on clothing in front of an AR mirror in the store or through an app. United.ai highlights the key benefits of AR for DIFM interior design:

• Utilizing AI tools for interior design revolutionizes the way spaces are envisioned and executed, allowing for the creation of designs that perfectly match individual preferences and spatial constraints.
• With AI, designers can easily simulate and visualize spaces in 3D that enable clients to see and modify their future interiors in real-time.
• AI technology streamlines the selection of furniture, color schemes, and materials.
• AI-driven analytics can predict user needs and recommend design adjustments, leading to more innovative, personalized, and adaptable living spaces.
• The integration of AI in interior design significantly reduces time and costs associated with manual planning and revisions.

Developing a Strong DIFM Strategy

Behind the scenes, AI is already working to improve operational efficiencies, improve supply chain excellence, and transform labor requirements. For example, Amazon achieved a 225% decrease in “click to ship” time by utilizing machine learning, reducing it to 15 minutes.

But the integration of AI in DIFM strategies can have an even larger impact on retailers, because by providing this desired service for customers it not only enhances customer experience and improves loyalty but can increase how much the customer spends.

When properly introduced, DIFM strategies should have a positive impact on core product sales. A great example is the DIY retailer, Wickes. Wickes began implementing their DIFM strategy in 2021.

Wickes DIFM sales doubled in a year. Its “performance was driven by having sales in local trade, DIY (or Core), and Do-It-For-Me (DIFM), with two-thirds of its sales in 2021 driven by digital channels. Its Core like-for-like sales increased by 35.7% on a two-year basis, while DIFM orders strengthened throughout 2021 from Q2. DIFM like-for-like revenue grew by 8.5% for the full year, with ‘buoyant’ bathroom sales.”

Actionable Takeaways for Retail Leaders:

• Leverage AI for Personalization: Implement AI-driven solutions to offer personalized shopping experiences that can increase customer spend and loyalty.
• Integrate AR for Enhanced Engagement: Utilize AR to provide immersive “try before you buy” experiences, reducing returns and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Invest in Cloud-Based Infrastructure: Use cloud computing to gain deeper insights into consumer behavior and streamline operations, enabling more agile and responsive business strategies.
• Develop DIFM Offerings Thoughtfully: Ensure DIFM services align with your brand’s core values and customer expectations, focusing on enhancing rather than replacing the DIY experience.

AI is a key enabler of the Do-It-For-Me economy, transforming the retail sector by providing personalized, efficient, and automated services. As consumers continue to demand convenience and professional results, the integration of AI and conversational AI chatbots in retail will only grow, driving further innovation and reshaping the shopping landscape.