Explore how AI and computer vision can reshape holiday shopping, from virtual try-ons to better customer experiences and efficient inventory management.
The holiday season automatically draws scores of people to retail stores, shopping for gifts for their loved ones. For consumers, the last-minute holiday rush is part of the tradition, but it can often be challenging for retailers. Some common difficulties with the holiday shopping rush include managing inventory and the huge number of customers. Thanks to recent advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) and more specifically Vision AI can be used to smoothen the holiday season rush, for both consumers and retailers. In fact, AI driven innovations such as augmented reality (AR) and robotics are being widely used by many retailers to cope with the rush.
In this article, we’ll explore how AI and computer vision contribute to holiday shopping. We’ll also discuss the advantages and limitations of these innovations during the holiday season. Let’s get started!
Computer vision is a branch of AI that makes it possible for machines to see and interpret the real world. Using computer vision models like Ultralytics YOLO11 that support tasks like object detection and tracking, visual data (images and videos) can be analyzed. These computer vision tasks can help consumers and retailers elevate the holiday shopping experience.
People shop quite a lot during the holiday season rather than at any other time of the year. In 2023, 18% of all retail sales in the United States were in the months of November and December. With the surge in demand during these months, fueled by Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, it is crucial for businesses to address the peak season strategically to maximize sales and profits.
Businesses can leverage computer vision to make holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable for everyone. By automating tasks like inventory management, personalizing shopping experiences, and optimizing shelf arrangements, this technology can improve the shopping process.
For instance, computer vision systems can use heat maps to analyze customer buying patterns and suggest the perfect gift. Stores can also use this data to ensure popular holiday items remain in stock, boosting sales and avoiding customer disappointment. These systems save time for both shoppers and retailers during the busy holiday rush.
Now that we’ve explored the importance of computer vision during the holiday season, let’s dive into some real-world applications of this technology in holiday shopping.
While not everyone wants to shop in stores during the holiday season, many still want to take advantage of the sales. Vision based virtual try-ons are a perfect solution for such customers. Using computer vision and augmented reality, businesses can create virtual products for customers to try on in the comfort of their homes using their smartphones.
Here’s how this works:
Virtual try-on technology helps retailers increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce returns by giving shoppers more confidence in their choices. For example, Puma added virtual try-on technology to their mobile app, allowing customers to try on different sneaker styles virtually.
During the holiday seasons, sales aren't the only numbers increasing. In recent years, in-store thefts have increased by 53% during the holiday season. Such reports are concerning and show the need for better measures to avoid it.
Computer vision provides an effective way to address shoplifting and overcrowding. Models like YOLO11 that support pose estimation can be used to analyze human movements in real-time, spotting suspicious behavior that might indicate theft.
It can also be used to monitor crowd density and predict congestion points, helping stores manage traffic flow. By understanding customer behavior and traffic patterns, businesses can optimize store layouts, improve customer flow, and ensure better product visibility. These features make it easier for retailers to handle challenges like theft and crowd management during the busy holiday season.
For instance, the popular US-based supermarket chain, WinCo Foods uses computer vision systems to detect shoplifters. They opted for computer vision because traditional methods, such as monitoring CCTV footage, were inefficient and time-consuming, especially during the holiday season. These systems analyze video feeds in real-time to identify suspicious activities. As a result, WinCo Foods reduced its theft rate by more than 60%.
Have you ever spent way too much time decorating before Christmas? In the United States, people spend an average of 4 hours decorating for holidays, often with multiple trips to perfect their displays. AI and computer vision tools can make this process much easier, helping users create stunning holiday setups without the hassle.
Computer vision-based AR tools can analyze room layouts and recommend the best placements for decorations. By taking into account factors like furniture arrangements, lighting, and wall space, these tools can suggest the ideal spots for Christmas trees, ornaments, and other seasonal decor. This not only saves time but also reduces the need for repeated store visits.
For example, IKEA has launched a new AI-enabled digital tool - IKEA Kreativ. It uses computer vision and 3D mixed reality to help customers design and visualize their living spaces. By uploading photos of their rooms, customers can get personalized furniture and layout suggestions tailored to their needs.
The holiday season introduces many new products to the market. Managing the inventory of these products during this time can be a highly complex task, especially for large businesses and e-commerce platforms. With the massive volume of orders, it becomes challenging for humans to manually process each one efficiently.
To address this issue, businesses are increasingly relying on vision-based robots. These robots use computer vision to identify the shape, size, and contents of packages. Based on this information, they determine the best way to pick up and place packages in their designated locations. By using such innovative technologies, businesses can streamline the inventory management process significantly.
Adopting quickly to technological trends, Amazon is using computer vision-powered robots in its facilities to manage inventory. One of their robots, Robin, uses computer vision to pick up and place packages accurately, demonstrating how AI can revolutionize logistics during the holiday season.
Now that we’ve explored the different applications of AI and computer vision during the holiday season, let’s take a closer look at some of their advantages:
While computer vision applications enhance the shopping experience, they also have their limitations and challenges. Here are some of them to keep in mind;
AI and computer vision are changing how we shop during the holiday season, making things easier for businesses and shoppers. From trying on clothes virtually and finding personalized gifts to preventing theft and managing inventory, these technologies can improve convenience, safety, and customer satisfaction.
Although there are certain limitations like cost and privacy concerns, the advantages of using AI during the holidays are clear. As AI technologies keep improving, they’ll likely continue to transform how we celebrate and shop during the holidays.
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