digital retail transformation Archives

AI Shopping Agents Transform The Future of Retail with Jason Grunberg at eTail West

April 17, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

As your host of Talk Commerce, I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Jason Grunberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Bluecore, during E-tail West in Palm Springs. Our conversation dove deep into one of the most transformative trends in e-commerce: the rise of agentic commerce.

The Evolution of AI in Consumer Experience

The way we interact with technology is rapidly changing. As Jason pointed out, consumers are already being conditioned to expect AI-powered experiences in their daily lives. From Google’s Gemini summaries to Amazon’s Rufus AI shopping assistant, these tools are becoming an integral part of our shopping journey. The frustration we feel when these AI features aren’t available speaks volumes about how quickly we’ve adapted to this new normal.

Different Flavors of AI Agents in Retail

During our discussion, Jason outlined several key types of AI agents that are reshaping retail:

AI Shopping Agents: These predictive tools answer customer questions and guide the path to purchase
Customer Support Agents: Automated systems that handle post-sale inquiries
Marketing Agents: AI-powered systems that handle audience segmentation and campaign creation
Sales Agents: Automated sales assistance tools

Personalization 2.0: The Human Element

One of my favorite insights from Jason was his personal perspective on automation versus human interaction. He shared a compelling example about shopping for his six-year-old daughter. While he’d welcome AI automation for routine purchases like seasonal basics, he values the human experience of shopping for special occasions, like vacation preparations. This highlights an important distinction: AI should enhance, not replace, meaningful shopping experiences.

The Future of Agent Interfaces

A fascinating point Jason raised is the potential future where consumers will have their own AI shopping agents that interface with retail brands’ AI systems. This raises important questions about:

Brand loyalty in an AI-mediated world
The role of traditional digital touchpoints (websites, apps, email)
Data privacy and consumer control
Universal API standards for AI agent communication

The Trust Factor

Perhaps one of the most crucial aspects we discussed was the issue of trust and data control. As Jason noted, consumers are increasingly aware of their data’s value and expect more control over how it’s used. This will likely lead to a future where consumers can grant or revoke AI access to their data based on how well retailers meet their expectations.

The rise of agentic commerce represents more than just a technological shift – it’s a fundamental change in how we think about shopping. As we wrapped up our conversation, Jason shared that Bluecore is already at the forefront of this transformation, working with major retailers like QVC and Evo to implement AI shopping assistants.

For those interested in exploring this technology, Bluecore is offering free trials and proof of concepts through June of this year. You can reach out to Jason directly at Jason.Grunberg@Bluecore.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

The future of retail is being shaped by these AI innovations, and it’s clear that businesses need to start preparing for this agentic commerce revolution. The question isn’t if this transformation will happen, but how quickly retailers will adapt to meet evolving consumer expectations.

Find more conversations about innovations in retail here.

SIMKHAI is Bridging the Digital-Physical Gap in Luxury Fashion

March 31, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

The Evolution of a Luxury Powerhouse

When I sat down with Nicole Goldberg, Director of E-commerce at SIMKHAI, and Madeleine Anderson, Partner Manager at Endear, for our special eTail West edition of Talk Commerce, I was immediately struck by the brand’s remarkable journey. From its humble beginnings as a wholesale business 15 years ago to its current status as a digital-forward luxury fashion house, SIMKHAI’s evolution reflects the changing landscape of luxury retail.

Building a Digital Presence While Maintaining Personal Touch

“Our clothes really grow and fit with your different times in life,” Nicole shared during our conversation. What fascinates me about SIMKHAI’s approach is their ability to cater to a remarkably broad demographic, serving customers from 20 to 65 years old. This diversity presents unique challenges in the digital space, particularly when it comes to maintaining the personal touch that luxury shoppers expect.

The Technology Revolution at SIMKHAI

During our discussion, Nicole revealed several exciting technological initiatives that are reshaping the SIMKHAI shopping experience:

AI-Powered Fitting Technology: The brand is partnering with Laws of Motion to launch an innovative fit tool later this year, addressing one of online luxury fashion’s biggest challenges.
Smart Merchandising: Implementing AI solutions to enhance search functionality and personalization while maintaining the human element crucial to luxury service.
Video Integration: Showcasing the craftsmanship and movement of garments through sophisticated video content throughout the digital experience.

Clienteling in the Digital Age

A significant part of our conversation centered around clienteling, with valuable insights from both Nicole and Madeleine. SIMKHAI currently utilizes Endear’s platform for their retail store clienteling, enabling direct communication with customers. As Madeleine pointed out during our discussion, the challenge lies in extending this personal touch to online-only shoppers. This collaboration between SIMKHAI and Endear exemplifies how luxury brands can leverage technology to maintain intimate customer relationships across all channels.

Balancing AI and Human Touch

What really impressed me during our conversation was SIMKHAI’s thoughtful approach to technology integration. As Nicole explained, they’re careful to maintain that crucial balance between convenience and personal service. “A sixty-year-old woman isn’t going to want an AI bot telling her what to wear,” Nicole noted, highlighting the brand’s understanding of their diverse customer base.

The Future of Luxury Digital Retail

SIMKHAI’s expansion into new territories – including menswear and accessories – while maintaining their commitment to personalized service showcases their forward-thinking approach. Their success in bridging the gap between wholesale and D2C, while building a robust digital presence, serves as a blueprint for luxury brands in the digital age.

Looking Ahead

As our conversation wrapped up, Nicole’s excitement about SIMKHAI’s Spring collection was palpable. The brand’s continued innovation in both fashion and technology promises an exciting future for luxury retail.

From my perspective as host of Talk Commerce, SIMKHAI’s journey represents a masterclass in digital transformation while maintaining the essence of luxury service. Their approach to integrating technology without losing the personal touch that luxury customers expect is something all retailers can learn from.

Visit SIMKHAI.com to explore their latest collections, including their stunning Spring lineup featuring the new Gingham collection and much-anticipated Pliissé collection.

Want to hear more insights from Nicole and other industry leaders? Subscribe to Talk Commerce wherever you get your podcasts.

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Where Human Touch Meets Digital Innovation with January Digital

March 17, 2025March 13, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

In a recent Talk Commerce episode at E-Tail West, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two distinguished guests from January Digital: Sarah Engel, President, and JB Brokaw, Chief Operating Officer. Their insights into digital brand innovation in retail proved both timely and enlightening.

The Renaissance of Physical Retail

Sarah Engel shared an interesting observation about the current state of retail: “Stores are back.” After the lessons learned during COVID, there’s a renewed appreciation for physical touchpoints in the customer journey. For omnichannel retailers, brick-and-mortar locations continue to drive significant revenue, highlighting the importance of creating meaningful in-person experiences.

Navigating Brand Identity in a Crowded Market

“The barrier to entry to launch something is next to nothing at this point,” JB Brokaw pointed out during our discussion. This reality has created an interesting challenge for established brands: how to maintain relevance and foster loyalty in an increasingly crowded marketplace. The key, according to both guests, lies in standing for something meaningful rather than competing solely on price.

The AI Shopping Revolution

One of the most intriguing parts of our conversation centered around the concept of “agentic” AI and its potential impact on shopping behaviors. Sarah shared how AI shopping agents could transform routine purchases, particularly in low-risk categories like grocery shopping. However, she emphasized that this technology’s adoption would be gradual, starting with simple replenishment tasks before moving to more considered purchases.

The Creative Comeback

Perhaps the most surprising insight from our discussion was the industry’s return to creative focus. As Sarah explained, “Creative is the algorithm. Creative is what is actually driving things forward.” This shift represents an exciting evolution from the big data era – not abandoning data, but rather using it to fuel more authentic and compelling creative content.

Measuring What Matters

A significant challenge brands face today is balancing immediate sales metrics with long-term brand building. Sarah highlighted how January Digital helps organizations develop new KPIs and train C-level employees to look beyond just comparative sales numbers, creating a more holistic approach to measuring success.

Looking Ahead

The conversation with Sarah and JB revealed that we’re at an interesting crossroads in digital commerce. While AI and automation are becoming more prevalent, the human elements of brand building – creativity, authenticity, and physical connections – are more important than ever.

As I reflect on our discussion, it’s clear that success in today’s digital commerce landscape requires a delicate balance between embracing technological innovation and maintaining authentic human connections. Brands that can master this balance while staying true to their core values will be best positioned for future success.

Want to hear more insights from Sarah Engel and JB Brokaw? Listen to the full Talk Commerce episode for deeper discussions on digital transformation, brand building, and the future of retail.

For more Conversation with Sarah Engel listen here