• Subscribe to our newsletter
The Media Online
  • Home
  • MOST Awards
  • News
    • Awards
    • Media Mecca
  • Print
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Publishing
  • Broadcasting
    • TV
    • Radio
    • Cinema
    • Video
  • Digital
    • Mobile
    • Online
  • Agencies
    • Advertising
    • Media agency
    • Public Relations
  • OOH
    • Events
  • Research & Education
    • Research
    • Media Education
      • Media Mentor
  • Press Office
    • Press Office
    • TMO.Live Blog
    • Events
    • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • MOST Awards
  • News
    • Awards
    • Media Mecca
  • Print
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Publishing
  • Broadcasting
    • TV
    • Radio
    • Cinema
    • Video
  • Digital
    • Mobile
    • Online
  • Agencies
    • Advertising
    • Media agency
    • Public Relations
  • OOH
    • Events
  • Research & Education
    • Research
    • Media Education
      • Media Mentor
  • Press Office
    • Press Office
    • TMO.Live Blog
    • Events
    • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
The Media Online
No Result
View All Result
Home News Media business

How AI is creating smarter retail experiences

AI isn’t just making retail more efficient. Surprisingly to some, it’s making it more human.

by TMO Contributor
August 1, 2025
in Media business
0 0
0
How AI is creating smarter retail experiences

AI is creating efficiencies in retail without losing the human touch/Freepik.com

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In recent years, there’s been a dramatic shift in the way people shop and the way brands connect with them.

And while much of this shift might seem seamless from the outside, more often than not, it’s quietly being powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

For retailers, embracing AI isn’t just about future-proofing their businesses, it’s about unlocking smarter, faster and, believe it or not, more human ways of working that will ultimately benefit the customer, the team and the bottom line.

From predicting stock needs and personalising customer journeys to freeing up in-store teams from repetitive admin, AI isn’t just making retail more efficient. Surprisingly to some, it’s making it more human.

“Retail has always been about people. Meeting their needs, building loyalty and creating a connection,” says Jeané van Greunen, chief client officer at Helm. “What AI allows us to do is add that personal touch at scale, with more accuracy, efficiency and empathy.”

When people think of AI in retail, they often imagine robots, self-checkouts, or talking screens. But some of the most powerful innovations are happening behind the scenes. A key area that’s benefiting is inventory management.

Predictive models

Thanks to machine learning, retailers are now moving from reactive stock planning to predictive models that factor in everything from the weather to local buying trends.

That means less waste, fewer empty shelves, and more happy customers. And it gives staff more time to focus on what they do best, which is helping people and building those relationships.

Another major benefit lies in dynamic pricing. AI can analyse real-time data to optimise promotions and protect margins in a fast-moving, highly competitive environment.

“We’re seeing AI support retailers in making thousands of micro-decisions each day. Those decisions no human team could possibly keep up with alone,” says Van Greunen. “But it’s not about removing people from the process. It’s about making those processes more intelligent and responsive, and ultimately, more human.”

AI helps people shine

AI is also transforming customer-facing experiences often in ways that feel effortless. From virtual fitting rooms and smart search tools to in-app product suggestions that feel helpful (not creepy), machine learning is making shopping more personal and less transactional.

It’s happening in-store too with heatmaps and traffic analytics to help retailers improve store layouts. Voice assistants and AI-powered chatbots guide customers and allow human staff to focus on relationship-building, not repetitive queries.

“Some retailers worry that AI will make the experience colder,” says Van Greunen. “But the opposite is true. It’s helping brands become more responsive, relevant and emotionally intelligent. People still buy from people and AI just helps those people shine.”

AI designed around people

One of AI’s most underrated benefits in retail is how it supports teams on the ground. Automating low-value, time-consuming tasks like scheduling, reporting or basic troubleshooting means staff have more time and more headspace to deliver real value.

“When you give your people the tools to be more effective, they feel more engaged. They perform better, stay longer, and become true ambassadors for your brand. That’s where AI and people strategy come together.”

Helm believes that AI and automation should be designed around people and not the other way around. That’s why they partner with retailers to reimagine customer and employee journeys that are strategic and scalable, but most importantly, human.

From intelligent automation to data-led CX strategies, Helm serves to help retail businesses make AI work in the real world – not as a gimmick or a quick fix, but as a genuine driver of value and long-term, sustainable growth.

AI is indispensable

“We’ve worked across industries, and the same message keeps coming up: retailers want to evolve, without giving up what makes them unique,” says Van Greunen. “Our role is to help them use AI to elevate that uniqueness, not replace it.”

In a sector where margins are thin and expectations are high, AI has become indispensable in gaining and maintaining a competitive edge. When used wisely, it can boost loyalty, cut costs, improve efficiency and above all, empower the people at the heart of the business.

Just like customer demands keep changing, retail will keep moving, but with the right technology and a human-centred approach, that move will always be in the right direction.

For more information about Helm, visit www.helm.africa or set up a meeting with their team here.

Tags: AIAI in retailartificial intelligencecommerce mediaHelmJeané van Greunenretail mediauser experienceUX

TMO Contributor

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

Follow Us

  • twitter
  • threads
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Kelders van Geheime: The characters are here

Kelders van Geheime: The characters are here

March 22, 2024
Dissecting the LSM 7-10 market

Dissecting the LSM 7-10 market

May 17, 2023
Keri Miller sets the record straight after being axed from ECR

Keri Miller sets the record straight after being axed from ECR

April 23, 2023
Getting to know the ES SEMs 8-10 (Part 1)

Getting to know the ES SEMs 8-10 (Part 1)

February 22, 2018
Sowetan proves that sex still sells

Sowetan proves that sex still sells

105
It’s black. It’s beautiful. It’s ours.

Exclusive: Haffajee draws a line in the sand over racism

98
The Property Magazine and Media Nova go supernova

The Property Magazine and Media Nova go supernova

44
Warrant of arrest authorised for Media Nova’s Vaughan

Warrant of arrest authorised for Media Nova’s Vaughan

41
Four ways micro-influencers build and keep their loyal audiences

Four ways micro-influencers build and keep their loyal audiences

August 1, 2025
How AI is creating smarter retail experiences

How AI is creating smarter retail experiences

August 1, 2025
To listen is to learn

To listen is to learn

August 1, 2025
Precision, personalisation and performance

Precision, personalisation and performance

July 31, 2025

Recent News

Four ways micro-influencers build and keep their loyal audiences

Four ways micro-influencers build and keep their loyal audiences

August 1, 2025
How AI is creating smarter retail experiences

How AI is creating smarter retail experiences

August 1, 2025
To listen is to learn

To listen is to learn

August 1, 2025
Precision, personalisation and performance

Precision, personalisation and performance

July 31, 2025

ABOUT US

The Media Online is the definitive online point of reference for South Africa’s media industry offering relevant, focused and topical news on the media sector. We deliver up-to-date industry insights, guest columns, case studies, content from local and global contributors, news, views and interviews on a daily basis as well as providing an online home for The Media magazine’s content, which is posted on a monthly basis.

Follow Us

  • twitter
  • threads

ARENA HOLDING

Editor: Glenda Nevill
glenda.nevill@cybersmart.co.za
Sales and Advertising:
Tarin-Lee Watts
wattst@arena.africa
Download our rate card

OUR NETWORK

TimesLIVE
Sunday Times
SowetanLIVE
BusinessLIVE
Business Day
Financial Mail
HeraldLIVE
DispatchLIVE
Wanted Online
SA Home Owner
Business Media MAGS
Arena Events

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

 
Subscribe
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2015 - 2023 The Media Online. All rights reserved. Part of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • MOST Awards
  • News
    • Awards
    • Media Mecca
  • Print
    • Newspapers
    • Magazines
    • Publishing
  • Broadcasting
    • TV
    • Radio
    • Cinema
    • Video
  • Digital
    • Mobile
    • Online
  • Agencies
    • Advertising
    • Media agency
    • Public Relations
  • OOH
    • Events
  • Research & Education
    • Research
    • Media Education
      • Media Mentor
  • Press Office
    • Press Office
    • TMO.Live Blog
    • Events
    • Jobs

Copyright © 2015 - 2023 The Media Online. All rights reserved. Part of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?