How AI & Smart Data Capture Are Converging To Improve Retail Store Operations | Ask An Expert

Retailers must shift focus toward human-centric technology that empowers store associates rather than merely replacing human labor with automation. Successful digital transformation relies on a four-step framework: auditing existing workflows, leveraging current infrastructure, ensuring software flexibility, and targeting a minimum five-fold return on investment. Scandit’s Director of Industry Solutions, Jessica Grisolia, highlights how AI serves as a co-pilot for tasks like inventory management and price auditing. For instance, Staples Canada achieved 100% compliance on 20,000 weekly price audits by transitioning to a streamlined iPhone-based system, while another major grocer consolidated over ten disparate applications into a unified interface, significantly boosting employee satisfaction. These implementations demonstrate that prioritizing worker-focused software integration—rather than just hardware replacement—drives both operational efficiency and meaningful sales growth in the modern retail ecosystem.