I have previously posted about virtual dressing rooms (here) and hybrid shopping trends (here). Now John Lewis appear to be entering the game as they gear up for their own AI offering.

As reported by Retail Gazette, John Lewis has signed a deal with Google to reduce its data storage expenses ahead of launching its AI customer service bot. They are also trialling virtual dressing rooms and working on software that will allow customers to virtually place home furnishings by uploading images of their home.

One of the benefits of in-store shopping is the ability to "try before you buy". By offering virtual means for trialling goods, it is hoped that returns from online shopping will be reduced. It is thought that around 30% of online purchases are returned, compared to around 9% of purchases made in-store. This has a significant environmental impact when you factor in transport and packaging.

Beyond the environmental considerations, customers want convenience. In order to keep their share of the market, retailers will need to keep up with their peers by making the shopping experience as hassle-free and engaging as possible.