There is no doubt that the retail industry has substantially changed from brick-and-mortar state to online stores. And technology is playing a significant role in this transition, bringing one-stop-shop for customers online. The augmented use of e-commerce now has led consumers to expect more options from retailers, such as detailed insights, customer reviews, and personalized selection of items that are exclusively chosen for them while shopping online.
Thus, the applications of computer vision here in retail are poised to fundamentally disrupt the shopping experiences for both customers and retailers. The technology has become indispensable to stay competitive in the digital retail space as it offers innovative customer experiences and process automation that glees customers and reduce costs.
Computer Vision Simplifying Brick-and-Mortar Stores
With the evolution of online shopping, it doesn’t mean that the brick-and-mortar store is deceased. Most people still prefer to visit retail stores over online shopping. And computer vision here is playing a crucial role as companies seek to change their customer experience. The technology allows retailers to expedite business operations such as shelf management, payments, data collection, and compliance.
As the technology can use connected cameras, it can also be leveraged to monitor stores, detect distrustful behavior and spot theft. With this application, retailers can enhance their store security, in-store marketing and sales.
Amazon Go, for instance, Amazon’s brick-and-mortar stores that use computer vision software. In these stores, shoppers just need to place their chosen items into their basket and leave the shop without checkouts. The shopping in Amazon Go stores has been enabled by a network of cameras, sensors and deep learning algorithms.
In one another instance, Trax, a retail technology company, leverages a combination of shelf and ceiling cameras, alongside computer vision, providing retailers and CPG companies a more precise reading of what is on store shelves.
Making Stores of Tomorrow
Retailer can use computer vision-based mobile apps that can define different products and provide contextual information when customers face difficulties in understanding how a product is supposed to be used. Computer vision eases this challenge by enabling customers to visualize themselves using a product with augmented and virtual reality. Most retailers are making their ways to leverage AR and VR to express their brand’s story and lure customers.
On the other hand, shoppers adore these immersive experiences that make it easier to shop without seeing a product in person. Moreover, retailers often seek the opportunity to upsell their customers while shopping online. Conversely, customers want the convenience of having germane products presented during their shopping. Thus, computer vision application here can look at large datasets of e-commerce activities and figure out the dormant features that can guide effective, behavior-driven suggestions relevant to users.
With computer vision, online shopping is now easier than ever before as it enables users to explore their favorite items by taking a picture of the item. It then compares images with a group of other images inside the database.
Thus, computer vision is taking the retail industry to the next level by giving retailers a new technological experience in order to gain more customer attraction. It is also revolutionizing the industry by making more intimate, personalized in-person shopping experiences a reality.