How Retailers Are Staying Competitive with Low-Code and AI

Retailers leverage low-code platforms and AI to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and adapt to market changes effectively.

Mar 25, 2025

Retailers are adopting low-code platforms and AI to solve challenges like supply chain disruptions, rising competition, and evolving customer expectations.

Key takeaways:

Low-code platforms speed up app development by up to 10x, saving time and reducing costs.
AI tools improve efficiency with features like chatbots, inventory tracking, and personalized customer experiences.
Combining low-code and AI helps retailers automate repetitive tasks, enhance customer service, and boost revenue.

For example, a $60 billion retailer cut mobile app development time from 1 year to just 11 days using low-code, while AI chatbots now handle 85% of customer interactions. By 2024, 65% of retail apps will rely on low-code platforms. Ready to modernize your retail operations? Start by identifying pain points and implementing these tools for measurable results.

Low-Code Platforms for Retail Success

Understanding Low-Code Development

Low-code platforms simplify retail app development by using visual tools and pre-built components. Instead of writing complex code, retailers can create applications by dragging and dropping elements. This makes app development more accessible while still delivering high-quality results.

By 2024, it's projected that 65% of retail apps will rely on low-code platforms. These tools are becoming a go-to solution for improving various retail operations.

Common Retail Applications

Low-code platforms are widely used to address key retail needs. Here are some examples of how they're applied:

Application Type	Key Features	Business Impact
Point of Sale (POS)	Real-time transactions, automated billing	Speeds up checkout and consolidates data
Inventory Management	Automated stock monitoring, barcode integration	Reduces stockouts and simplifies returns
Order Processing	Multi-channel order tracking, automated fulfillment	Enhances delivery accuracy and customer satisfaction
Franchise Management	Centralized purchasing, automated marketing	Optimizes operations across locations

Direct Business Impact

Low-code platforms offer measurable advantages for retailers, including:

40% less time spent on manual tasks
4x faster software development
Up to 70% savings on IT modernization costs

"We were able to rapidly build, pilot and iterate on a digital solution that is enabling virtual parties that match our unique business model"

The benefits are clear: low-code platforms help retailers adapt to market changes and improve efficiency. With the market for these platforms expected to hit $148 billion by 2030, their role in retail success will only grow.

AI Tools for Better Customer Service

Key AI Features for Retailers

Modern AI tools offer essential features that help retailers stay competitive in a fast-paced market:

AI Feature	Function	Business Impact
Smart Chatbots	24/7 customer support, product recommendations	Expected to handle 85% of customer interactions by 2025
Inventory AI	Real-time stock tracking, demand forecasting	Reduces stockouts by 20%
Personalization Engine	Analyzes customer behavior, creates targeted promotions	Boosts revenue by 10–30%
Visual Search	Enables image-based product discovery	Improves shopping experience

These tools allow retailers to deliver tailored shopping experiences. For example, Kroger's AI implementation improved inventory accuracy by 25% and cut waste by 10% using predictive systems.

Personalized Customer Experiences

AI-powered personalization uses customer data to create shopping experiences that increase both loyalty and sales. Research shows 65% of shoppers are more likely to stick with brands that offer personalized experiences.

Some leading retailers have seen impressive results through AI-driven personalization:

"Gathering, accessing, and analyzing data are critical to creating a truly personalized experience and scaling this broadly - but consumers only want to share this data with brands they trust."
– Frank Keller, executive vice president and general manager at PayPal

H&M introduced an AI chatbot in July 2024 that provides real-time product recommendations and stock updates, leading to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction.
Sephora's Virtual Artist app analyzes facial features and skin tones to offer tailored makeup suggestions. This feature has increased app engagement by 25%, boosted sales by 15%, and enhanced the shopping experience with virtual try-ons.
Nike's mobile app uses AI for personalized content and digital foot scanning, offering custom shoe recommendations.

The retail AI market is expected to grow from $4.84 billion to $31.18 billion by 2028. This growth underscores the rising importance of AI in delivering personalized customer service, with potential revenue increases of up to 15%.

Combining Low-Code and AI for Results

Adding AI to Low-Code Apps

Retailers can improve their low-code applications by incorporating AI to boost efficiency and enhance customer interactions. Focusing on clear goals is key to successful integration.

Integration Area	Business Impact	Implementation Priority
Customer Service	67% increase in sales through AI chatbots	High
Operations	80% of users reported improved productivity	Medium

Retail Success Examples

Practical examples show how combining low-code platforms with AI can transform retail operations. Many major retailers are already seeing the benefits of this integration.

"When implemented properly and appropriately, AI can transform the way retailers operate and give merchants intelligent tools for streamlining their operations and improving the customer experience"

Hungryroot, a grocery delivery service, uses AI to personalize weekly grocery lists for customers based on their preferences. This showcases how AI integration can create tailored experiences that resonate with users. Such examples highlight the strategic advantages of merging AI with low-code platforms.

Measuring Business Results

Future Market Insights predicts AI adoption in retail will exceed $127.09 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate of 28%.

To measure the impact of these integrations, retailers should focus on key performance indicators that reflect operational improvements and revenue growth:

Customer Engagement and Revenue: Personalization through AI enhances customer engagement and provides a competitive edge.
Operational Efficiency: AI adoption increased by 24% last quarter, with 80% of users reporting higher productivity.

"AI is changing every industry, so it's no surprise it has the power to completely reshape the retail world for both business owners and shoppers"

Amazon's "Just Walk Out" technology is a prime example of effective AI integration. By using computer vision and deep learning, it enables checkout-free shopping experiences.

To ensure success, retailers should monitor metrics like customer satisfaction scores, average transaction value, inventory turnover, employee productivity, and ROI from AI initiatives. These metrics demonstrate how combining low-code platforms with AI not only speeds up development but also delivers measurable growth.

Implementation Guide for Retailers

Identify Business Needs

Take a close look at your retail operations to determine where low-code and AI can make the biggest impact. Focus on tasks that consume time and negatively affect both employee efficiency and customer experience.

Business Area	Common Challenges	AI/Low-Code Solutions
Operations	Manual data entry, inventory tracking	Automated inventory tools
Customer Service	Repetitive questions, slow responses	AI chatbots, automated support
Employee Tasks	Redundant tasks, data management	Workflow automation

Collaborate with your teams to uncover operational hurdles. For example, could automating inventory tracking or simplifying order management improve performance? This ensures the technology addresses real-world issues.

Platform Selection Tips

Once you’ve identified your needs, choosing the right platform is the next step.

Look for a low-code platform that offers:

Ease of use: Allows non-technical staff to build and edit applications effortlessly.
Integration options: Works seamlessly with your current retail systems.
Scalability: Can handle your business as it grows and evolves.

Implementation Steps

Here’s how to roll out low-code and AI solutions effectively:

Start Small

Begin with a pilot project focused on a specific task, like automating data entry or streamlining routine meetings. This approach minimizes risks and delivers quick results.
Empower Employees

Equip your staff with user-friendly, no-code tools to develop workflows that fit their needs. This not only encourages innovation but also results in solutions tailored to each team's challenges.
Monitor and Adjust

Track key metrics to measure success, such as:
- Time saved through automation
- Employee satisfaction
- Customer feedback
- Improvements in operational efficiency

Use AI to enhance product recommendations and analyze customer trends to reduce churn. Keep in mind that ongoing feedback and regular updates are critical for successful integration.

AI in Retail: A look at Retail's AI Revolution Study by IHL

Conclusion: Next Steps for Retailers

Retailers need to embrace low-code platforms and AI to modernize their operations and stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.

"AI is changing every industry, so it's no surprise it has the power to completely reshape the retail world for both business owners and shoppers." – Slack

Based on the implementation guide, here are some practical steps to get started:

Identify Operational Pain Points

Look at your current processes and pinpoint areas that consume too much time or resources. Prioritize high-volume, repetitive tasks that could benefit from automation.
Focus on Areas with Immediate Impact

Start with tasks where automation can make a noticeable difference quickly, such as:
- Streamlining customer service
- Improving inventory tracking
- Simplifying order processing
Empower Your Team with Tools

Equip your employees with no-code tools so they can create solutions tailored to their daily challenges. This approach not only addresses practical needs but also encourages employees to adopt new technologies.