TLDR: A new report by Bain & Company and VusionGroup reveals that a significant number of retailers are adopting AI-powered assistants to manage routine store tasks, with 75% of executives planning large-scale store transformations in the next two years. This shift is expected to boost efficiency, enhance customer experience, and unlock new revenue streams through integrated technology platforms.
A recent report from consultancy Bain & Company and VusionGroup, a provider of data solutions for retailers, highlights a significant acceleration in the adoption of AI-powered technology within physical retail stores. The findings indicate a major transformation underway, with 75% of retail executives planning large-scale store overhauls in the next two years. Furthermore, 44% of these leaders anticipate that their technology investments will improve their bottom line by 1.5 percentage points or more.
The survey, which gathered insights from 66 leaders across 250 top retailers, reveals that approximately 50% of retailers are currently deploying AI assistants to support their store teams in managing routine tasks. These tasks include critical operational duties such as inventory checks, identifying and correcting price errors, and assisting with staff training and equipment troubleshooting. This adoption aims to enhance productivity and boost staff morale, allowing employees to dedicate more time to customer engagement.
Retailers’ top priorities driving these technological shifts include improving product availability (56%), ensuring price integrity (53%), and fostering better customer engagement (45%). Additionally, enhancing staff productivity is a key ambition for 39% of retailers.
Mauro Anastasi, a Partner in the Retail Practice at Bain & Company, emphasized the urgency of this transformation, stating, “Retailers are accelerating their tech adoption not just to keep up but to lead. The winners will be those who build scalable, integrated platforms delivering measurable ROI and who future-proof store operations.” He added, “Better systems cut costs. Lower costs give customers better prices. Better prices bring in more customers. And more customers generate more data to make operations even smarter. Retailers who master these technologies first will outprice and out-serve others – and the window to catch up will get smaller every quarter as the pace of change continues to evolve.”
Jérôme Hamrit, Senior Executive Vice President of Data & Retail Media at VusionGroup, echoed this sentiment, noting, “This report reflects what we see every day at VusionGroup: the store is no longer just a place of transaction. By combining AI, Computer Vision, and Data with digital shelf systems, retailers are not only improving operations, they are also achieving faster inventory turns, greater price accuracy, and unlocking new monetization opportunities through retail media.” He further highlighted that ‘connected stores deliver better shopper experiences while driving both operational efficiency and top-line growth, delivering measurable ROI at a much faster pace.’
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The report also indicates that nearly three-quarters (73%) of retailers are exploring advanced analytics powered by AI to localize assortments and personalize customer experiences. By analyzing purchasing behavior and in-store traffic patterns, AI helps predict demand and optimize shelf placement. Stores are also evolving into hybrid fulfillment hubs, integrating e-commerce fulfillment with in-store operations through technologies like computer vision, demand forecasting, and pick-to-light systems to ensure inventory accuracy and efficient order processing without compromising the in-store experience. AI is clearly positioned as a key focus area for future retail innovation.
