Revolutionizing Retail: How Artificial Intelligence (OpenAI, ChatGPT, and other tools) can Transform the Shopping Experience

At Quantilus, we are passionate about using cutting-edge AI and machine learning algorithms to help retail businesses revolutionize their processes and achieve scale. AI is providing new and innovative ways for retailers to enhance the customer experience. From personalizing product recommendations and improving inventory management to automating customer service and optimizing pricing strategies, AI is helping retailers stay competitive and meet the evolving demands of consumers. Overall, the integration of AI in retail is leading to a more personalized, efficient, and profitable shopping experience for both retailers and consumers.

Applications
Explore how Quantilus is helping
retail organizations use AI.

Our teams are working on numerous production systems, prototypes, and proof-of-concepts to harness the power of OpenAI, ChatGPT and other generative AI tools for the retail industry. This page contains a sampling of the Use Cases we are solving.

Use Case 1: Product Description Generation
Automatically generate Product Descriptions for SKUs based on product metadata
  • Extract product metadata and descriptors (e.g. size, color, style, etc.) from product images
  • Select the “voice” of the brand – Professional, Witty, Non-conformist, etc.
  • Use metadata and ChatGPT/OpenAI models to generate multiple product descriptions in the voice of the brand
  • Run descriptions against an SEO-scoring system to identify “best” description
  • Automatically populate your database and all product listings with the descriptions
  • Update the product descriptions periodically to keep them fresh and relevant
AI Example: Witty product descriptions for a red round-neck cotton short-sleeved t-shirt.

“Introducing the newest addition to your wardrobe: the ‘Traffic Stopper’ t-shirt. This fiery red, round-neck, cotton number is guaranteed to turn heads and make pedestrians do a double take. Made from the softest cotton, it’ll be like you’re wearing a cloud… But a cloud that’s been dipped in ketchup. Perfect for a casual day out or a night out on the town. You’ll be the envy of the party, or at least the one with the most interesting shirt.”

“Introducing the world’s most average and unremarkable shirt! Our red, round-neck, cotton, short-sleeved t-shirt is the epitome of mediocrity. It’s perfect for blending in at a crowded event or for when you just don’t feel like standing out. Its round neckline is neither too high nor too low, making it great for days when you can’t make up your mind. Made from 100% cotton, it’s breathable, soft and comfortable to wear, so it won’t distract you from your daily routine. In short, it’s the perfect t-shirt for people who don’t want to be bothered by thinking about what they wear. “

Use Case 2: Marketing Collateral Creation
Automatically Generate Marketing Materials, Brochures, etc. for New Products
  • Generate product marketing material based on brand identity and competitive landscape
  • Generate marketing images for products in different settings, e.g. a desk in a bedroom, in an office, etc.
  • Generate brochures and collateral for different audiences based on interest levels
  • Creatively design logos and packaging for new brands and products
AI Example: Store marketing blurb for new speaker store in New York City.

“Introducing the ultimate destination for audiophiles in New York City: Our new electronics store is dedicated to bringing you the best speakers on the market. We’ve scoured the globe to curate a collection of the most advanced, high-performance speakers available, from the latest cutting-edge technology to timeless classics. In our store, you’ll find speakers for every occasion, whether you’re looking for a compact, portable speaker for on-the-go listening or a powerful, home theater system for the ultimate cinematic experience. We also feature a wide range of smart speakers with built-in voice assistants for hands-free control, ideal for the modern connected home. Our knowledgeable and passionate team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect speakers to suit your needs and budget. We offer customized solutions and personalized recommendations based on your unique preferences, and also provide professional installation and setup service to ensure that you get the most out of your new speakers. Visit us today and discover the ultimate listening experience that only our store can offer, with the best speakers in New York City.”

Use Case 3: SEO, Digital Marketing Optimization
Continually Update Marketing Content and Descriptions for Increased Organic Traffic
  • Connect Company and product marketing content and descriptions with high ranking Google keywords and key phrases
  • Automatically change descriptions to include new keywords
  • Maintain brand marketing rankings on Google through constant refreshing of content
AI Example: Store marketing blurb – while the FIFA World Cup was in the news and ranking highly on Google.

“Get ready to score big on style and savings with the opening of our new home furnishing store! Just in time for the FIFA World Cup, we’re bringing you the latest in furniture and decor to give your home the ultimate upgrade. From comfortable couches to watch the game on, to stylish dining sets for hosting those victory parties, we have everything you need to turn your living space into the ultimate fan zone. Don’t miss out on our special promotions and deals available only during the World Cup. And just like your favorite team, our prices are unbeatable. Visit us today and let us help you furnish your home for the win!”

Use Case 4: Customer Emotion Recognition
Identify Emotional Markers of Customers in Store
  • Scan customer faces and behavior to recognize emotional state and anticipate actions
  • Establish state of mind for increased security/protect against theft
  • Calculate purchase intent for personalized attention to high value buyers
AI Example: Auto-generated note for customers informing them of the purpose of monitoring, and warning against theft.

“At our store, we understand that emotions can run high when shopping, and we want to ensure a positive experience for all of our customers. That’s why we’ve implemented a system for recognizing and addressing any suspicious behavior that may indicate an intent to commit theft. Our trained AI is alert to signs such as excessive sweating, nervous fidgeting, or attempts to distract employees. By proactively addressing these behaviors, we can deter potential thieves and create a safer and more pleasant shopping environment for everyone. Rest assured that we value and respect the privacy of our customers and only take necessary action to prevent theft in a respectful and professional manner.”

Use Case 5: Visitor Behavior Intelligence
Utilize Visitor Behavior Analysis to Improve Customer Experience and Conversion
  • Combine aspects of psychology, sociology, and marketing to better understand customers and visitors’ behavior
  • Analyze visitor movement patterns, carts and abandonment, online and in physical stores, to get actionable insights
  • Pre-empt customer service issues by predicting queries and proactively deploying sales/support personnel
AI Example: Auto-generated (positive) note for customers informing them of the purpose of monitoring, for beneficial purposes.

“You might have seen some cameras, sensors and other devices installed throughout the store, these are used to collect data on visitor behavior, such as foot traffic patterns, dwell time, and product interactions. This data is analyzed in real-time to identify areas of high traffic and to understand customer behavior. With this information, we can make data-driven decisions to improve the store layout, product placement, and promotions, which results in a more enjoyable shopping experience for our customers.”

Use Case 6: Training Sales and Customer Service Teams
Simulate Customer Scenarios in Training Programs
  • Teach AI models how to best react in specific customer scenarios
  • Create adaptive and interactive training programs for new and current employees to deal with issues
  • Periodically assess personnel based on responses to chat prompts and simulated conversations
AI Example: Simulated training conversation between CSR and chatbot.

AI Trainer: “As a customer support representative, you may occasionally come across customers who want to discuss sensitive or uncomfortable topics. It’s important that you know how to handle these situations in a professional and empathetic manner. For example, imagine a customer contacts you because they have recently lost a loved one and they’re having trouble dealing with the grief. How would you respond to this customer?”

CSR: “I would first offer my condolences to the customer for their loss. I would let them know that I am here to listen and support them in any way that I can. I would also offer resources and information such as support groups or grief counselors, depending on the company’s policies. I would make sure to speak with empathy and also inform that I will be there to assist them with any requests they may have, and also that I will follow up with them to see how they are doing.”

AI Trainer: “That’s a great response. It’s important to remember to be empathetic, listen actively and offer resources and support. Also, it is important to keep the company’s policies in mind, and to be clear that you will follow up with them. It’s also important to keep in mind that the customer’s privacy should always be respected.”

Use Case 7: Employee Sentiment Analysis
Assess Employee Retention Risk through Sentiment Analysis
  • Automatically “scan” employee email, communications and Slack/Teams messages
  • Monitor the sentiment expressed in communications – at the individual and collective level
  • Identify high turnover risk in individuals, groups, departments and in the organization as a whole
  • Identify sentiment trends over time, assess effectiveness of retention policies and understand how employee perception of the organization is changing over time
AI Example: Description of the levels of sentiment measured, and how this can be used to track turnover risk.

“Employee sentiment analysis is the process of using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze and interpret the emotions, opinions, and attitudes of employees. This involves identifying and analyzing specific emotions expressed within text, such as anger, joy, or sadness. Sentiment analysis can also involve identifying and analyzing the sentiment expressed towards specific aspects or entities within a text, such as products, services, or specific company policies. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of employee opinions and can help companies identify specific areas of concern.”

Use Case 8: Localization of Product Information
Convert Product and Marketing Content into Local Languages and Styles
  • Go beyond Google Translate – OpenAI/ChatGPT can be trained to use industry specific jargon and terminology in multiple languages. Instead of literal translations, use more meaningful contextual translations
  • Use a combination of location data, demographic information and customer preferences to create content that speaks directly to your target audience
  • Get hyper-localized by including keywords based on local weather, traffic patterns, etc. to update collateral on a real-time basis
AI Example: Store marketing blurb – for a winter sports goods store in Ireland, on a rainy day.

“Welcome to our winter sports store, where the rain can’t dampen our spirits or our love for all things snow and ice! Here in Ireland, we may not have the ski slopes of the Alps, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all the thrill and excitement of winter sports. We have a wide selection of gear and equipment for all your winter needs, whether you’re an experienced skier or just starting out. On a rainy day like today, why not check out our selection of waterproof jackets, pants and boots. They’ll keep you warm and dry while you explore the great outdoors. We also have a wide range of insulating layers, hats, gloves and scarves to make sure you’re ready for whatever the Irish weather throws at you.”

Use Case 9: Chatbot, Virtual Shopping Assistant
Create a Virtual Shopping Assistant for Customers, Online or in a Physical Store
  • Answer customers’ questions about products, store hours, and promotions, as well as help customers find specific items in the store
  • Create a personalized shopping experience by analyzing customer preferences and recommending products that match their interests
  • Provide online customer support, that can answer customer questions, and help them with their purchase
  • Translate customer questions or comments in real-time, making it easier for multilingual staff to communicate with customers who speak different languages
AI Example: Spanish-English Store Customer Service Chat Conversation.

Customer: “Hola, ¿dónde está el departamento de ropa para hombre?” (Hello, where is the men’s clothing department?)

Customer Service Agent: “”Good morning, the men’s clothing department is in the right section of the store. Do you need help finding something specific?” (Buenos días, el departamento de ropa para hombre está en la sección de la derecha del almacén. ¿Necesitas ayuda para encontrar algo en particular?)

Customer: “Sí, estoy buscando una camisa azul” (Yes, I am looking for a blue shirt)

Customer Service Agent: “Sure, the shirt area is right next to the men’s clothing department. Would you like me to accompany you?” (Claro, el área de camisas está justo al lado del departamento de ropa para hombre. ¿Quieres que te acompañe?)

Customer: “Sí, por favor” (Yes, please)

Use Case 10: Product Identification and Classification
Automatically Identify and Classify Items Based on Image Recognition
  • Identify specific SKUs based on data marker points on the product (without bar codes or RFIDs)
  • Allow customer service teams to access guides/manuals based on product scans
AI Example: Description of how classification and clustering are used.

“Once the products are recognized, they can be classified based on similar products using clustering or classification algorithms. Clustering is a technique that groups similar products based on their features, while classification uses a pre-defined set of categories to assign a label to each product. Once the product is classified, similar products are displayed to the customer to aid their purchase decision. This technology is widely used in e-commerce websites, mobile apps, and retail stores for better customer experience, faster product identification, and facilitating the purchase process.”

Contact us to discuss how AI can be implemented in your organization.

* Required fields
Case STudies
Solving Real-World Business Challenges

With over 200 experts in data and AI, Quantilus can help make your vision a reality. Our custom engineering services take open source models and adapt them to fit any business scenario without sacrificing scalability or performance. Explore how we’ve leveraged AI to solve our client’s business challenges. 

Enabling The Future of Retail

The next decade for retail companies will be determined by how quickly and efficiently they transition to using AI-enabled technologies for their business processes. 

Play Video

Creation

Create content, marketing materials, sites, blurbs, and everything that goes into creating brands. Replenish content on an ongoing basis to keep it relevant and SEO-friendly.

Education

Train employees and stakeholders by simulating complex scenarios. Provide ongoing education to keep workforce up-skilled and up-to-date with new policies, procedures and guidelines.

Analytics

Analyze real-time data for predictive sales and support, in order to maximize revenue potential. Track employee sentiment and retention risk, and undertake preemptive remediation.

WEBINAR

INTELLIGENT IMMERSION:

How AI Empowers AR & VR for Business

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

12:00 PM ET •  9:00 AM PT