Observations on the State of Retail Technology and AI
Thursday, April 11 — 10:45am-12:00pm
In this presentation, leading retailers will discuss trends in retail technology adoption. A brief presentation by each speaker will be followed by a detailed discussion of emerging tech trends, challenges, adoption rates, and the future direction of retail tech.
How to Implement a Retail Analytics Function
Thursday, April 11 — 1:00-1:45pm
This session focuses on how to organize, execute, and manage an advanced analytics team. Topics addressed include: analytics of value, staffing, hardware and software criteria, organizational support, distribution of knowledge, as well as taking a centralized versus decentralized approach.
Advanced Analytics in Customer-Centric Strategies
Thursday, April 11 — 1:45-2:30pm
Macy’s Advanced Analytics use data to build powerful tools to improve customer communications and understand customer retention via segmentation and life-time value analysis and modeling. We take a portfolio approach of various data sources, and modeling algorithms, using extensive test and experimentation to achieve Big Data AI solutions with sustaining benefits. There are many organizational implications, as well as data, analytics and modeling challenges. This session will discuss Macy’s experience in these areas.
AI Use Cases
Thursday, April 11 — 3:00-4:15pm
Our retail panel will present four AI Use Cases. These include: 1. Influencing the Customer on the Path to Purchase; 2. Leveraging AI to Impact Store and Merchandising Decisions; 3. Improving the Customer Experience through BOPIS (buy on line; pick up in store), and 4. Using Generative Adversarial Networks to Augment Customer Profiles with Synthetic Data. Issues identified, data applied, models built and deployed will be addressed, as well as discoveries made along the way.
Bayesian Machine Learning Applied in Marketing
Thursday, April 11 — 4:15-5:00pm
Bayesian machine learning applied to marketing research transforms data collected at the aggregate market and individual consumer levels into insights that form the basis of profitable decisions. It does so by separating signal from noise with increasing certainty over time. This talk will introduce you to the ideas behind this technology. You can then readily recognize where Bayesian methods might offer value in your business and deduce whether your analytics resources are applying best practices. A use case will also be presented.
Data Privacy
Friday, April 12 — 9:15-10:30am
Leading privacy and security experts address current challenges for retailers related to AI, facial recognition, biometrics, employee monitoring and augmented reality with practical, “no regrets” approaches to managing in a rapidly changing compliance environment.
Current Retail Robot Applications and Benefits
Friday, April 12 — 10:30-11:45am
Adoption by retailers of robots is slowly increasing, as they have the potential to impact store operations. In this session, robotic experts and retailers will share pragmatic advice on how robots are being deployed and the benefits that are being realized. Specific use cases will be explored, including shelf-audit, inspection, and maintenance. In addition, the issue of data application will be explored.
Robots in Retail Competition
Friday, April 12 — 1:00-2:00pm
Retailers are evaluating the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive significant advancements in consumer experience, product and service design, labor productivity, core retail capabilities, and workforce upskilling. For successful implementation of digital transformation strategies, the ability to source innovative, often disruptive, solutions from robotics companies that deliver value in one or more of these areas is increasingly critical. In this session, three finalists from the first-ever RAC Retail Robotics Competition will present their solutions, and delineate the unique benefits that consumers and retailers can derive from them.
Robust Perception for Robotics Systems
Friday, April 12 — 2:00-2:45pm
In his presentation, Dr. Hebert will discuss robotic introspection (self-awareness of performance), rapid learning and adaptation, anytime algorithms for deep learning, multiple hypothesis generation, etc. Examples from actual systems will be presented.
Intelligent Automation
Friday, April 12 — 3:00-3:45pm
Responding to large technological shocks like AI for a century old retailer is challenging but has significant potential. This session will concentrate on how Canadian Tire is focused on the practical application of Intelligent Automation to drive high gain and high impact results. This 96-year-old retailer is using a high-fidelity model that links innovation to change using a combination of behavioral science frameworks, machine learning, and automation. This session will also explore specific use cases that demonstrate the power of recruiting the right talent, the benefit of re-framing the question, and using low code solutions to improve customer experience.
Future Retail Robot Applications
Friday, April 12 — 3:45-4:45pm
New applications for robots are emerging, but which will have commercial success? In this session, an expert panel will be presented with three robot concepts. Each will share their view on the feasibility to produce such a robot, the likely benefits to be realized, and the potential for adoption. Applications to be explored include inventory accuracy via RFID, shelf-stocking, and merchandise detection (of product freshness and for traceability).
