Sneak peek: Retail data drop!

Welcome to Salesforce’s Retail Roundup! In each issue, we spotlight the retail industry’s hits and misses, hot topics, and hype.

If you’ve noticed a little spring in our step, it’s because we’re excited to connect with our retail buds at this year’s Shoptalk. In addition to seeing what’s new in the industry, we’ll be sharing the latest insights from our Connected Shoppers Report.?

The report is packed with data and statistics that are changing how retailers do business, so you won’t want to miss one word. Take a look at our sneak peek at what’s trending and tracking.?

?? 5 retail datapoints you can use now ??

It’s baaaaaack! Salesforce’s Industry Insights team has published its latest Connected Shoppers Report, packed full of data retailers need to know to stay competitive, boost loyalty, and grow their business.

For the sixth edition of the report, Salesforce surveyed 8,350 shoppers and 1,700 retail industry decision-makers to learn steps companies are taking to:

• Transform the role of the physical store
• Connect seamlessly with shoppers wherever they are
• Use AI agents to change how they do business?
• Build loyalty beyond points-for-purchase programs?

We can’t give it all away now, but here are five stats that caught our attention when we read the report:

88% of retailers are leaning into unified commerce.

As shoppers make the most of both physical and digital touchpoints in increasingly complex ways, your technology stack might grow trickier to manage. Retailers told us AI is their #1 opportunity, but putting AI to work is also their top challenge, due to high operational costs and disconnected systems. You can overcome this by actively pursuing unified commerce platforms, which connect both front- and backend retail operations. When you connect everything from stores and ecommerce to order management and marketing on one platform, you can deliver a seamless experience across all channels for shoppers.

Start with your current technology stack. Identify where AI can bridge gaps and enhance the in-store and online experiences. Choose a single, integrated platform that unifies all operations, then make the most of it by training associates and staff to effectively use the tools.

75% of retailers say AI agents will be essential to stay competitive.

Agentic AI greatly improves customer experiences by providing personalized product recommendations based on past purchases and browsing history. It also offers real-time support through chatbots that resolve issues quickly and can guide customers seamlessly through the shopping journey with interactive store maps and virtual assistants.?

By investing in AI-driven solutions, you can meet customer expectations but also optimize inventory management, reduce operational costs, and drive higher customer loyalty and satisfaction. The easiest ways to get started with AI agents include using chatbots on your website and mobile app to handle common customer questions and AI-powered analytics to learn more about customer behavior and preferences.

53% of shoppers discover products on social platforms.

With social shopping on the rise, more than half of your customers are now discovering products through social media. It’s critical you make the most of your presence on those channels. Consider using shoppable posts and AI-powered chatbots that guide customers from discovery to purchase, simplifying their overall shopping experience.?

To capitalize on this trend, consider your current social media strategies and identify ways to use these tools for a more personalized customer journey. This will help you increase brand visibility and drive significant sales growth, ensuring you remain a top choice for today's connected shoppers.

Shoppers estimate they will make 41% of their purchases at physical stores in 2026.

In-store shopping remains popular due to its unique, irreplaceable benefits — such as the ability to touch and feel merchandise and get products immediately. To maximize the in-store experience, focus on creating immersive and engaging environments that go beyond transactions.?

Use agentic AI to analyze customer data in real time, so store associates can provide immediate, personalized recommendations. By integrating AI with your point-of-sale (POS) systems, you can streamline the checkout process, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction. You can also use AI-powered analytics to rethink store layouts and product placements based on customer behavior, creating a more enjoyable shopping environment.

84% of loyalty program members say they are more likely to repurchase.

It's clear that robust loyalty initiatives keep customers coming back. You can use agentic AI to personalize loyalty rewards and communications, ensuring that each customer feels valued and engaged.?

For example, AI can help tailor rewards such as exclusive access to new products, personalized discounts based on purchase history, and customized birthday offers. To get started, integrate AI-powered analytics tools to gain deeper insights into customer behavior, and begin testing personalized loyalty offers to see which appeals most to your audience.

These datapoints are just the beginning: The report includes 44 pages, 50+ standout stats, a bevy of bar graphs, plenty of pie charts, long-lasting lists, and infinite insights. Get your copy of the Sixth Edition Connected Shoppers Report now.

Retail Checkout

Here’s what else is new in retail…?

• Learn how your POS system can up your in-store game.
• Read the report on how the retail industry is approaching AI.?
• See if 2024's record-breaking holiday shoppers keep spending this year.

Retail Q&A

What topic should we tackle in an upcoming newsletter? Let us know what’s on your mind.

This newsletter was curated by Patricia Staino, Editorial Lead at Salesforce.

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