The Retail Influencer

That was one of the key takeaways from my conversation with Michèle Boockoff-Bajdek, Chief Marketing Officer at Sitecore, in the latest episode of The Retail Influencer.We discussed Sitecore’s Digital Authenticity Index and what authenticity really means in an AI-driven retail environment.A few highlights:·       68% of consumers say digital interactions carry as much or more weight than real-world interactions when judging authenticity.·       83% of Gen Z consumers believe AI can be beneficial when used responsibly. Being comfortable with AI does not necessarily mean trusting everything it produces.·       74% of Gen Z say AI-generated content is easy to spot. Generic or artificial experiences are increasingly difficult to hide.·       Almost 7 in 10 Gen Z consumers have switched brands or reduced engagement because a digital experience did not feel trustworthy or authentic.·       96% of consumers consider accuracy extremely important.·       65% say undisclosed use of AI decreases their trust.But beyond the numbers, one idea really stayed with me: The customer doesn't experience an AI failure. They experience a broken brand promise.If an AI assistant gives the wrong price, says a product is available when it isn't, or promises a delivery that never arrives, the consumer doesn't blame “the technology”. They blame the brand.And there is another major shift happening. The traditional purchase funnel is collapsing.Consumers can now use AI to discover products, compare options and make decisions without ever visiting a retailer's website or store. So brands increasingly need to be not only visible, but correctly understood by AI systems.Michèle also shared a very simple three-question test for retailers considering AI:·       Is it genuinely improving the customer experience?·       Can we stand behind the information and recommendations it provides?·       And when something goes wrong, can the customer easily reach a human?Experience. Transparency. Human support.Three simple principles, but perhaps increasingly important ones.Listen to the full conversation with Michèle Boockoff-Bajdek on the English-language stream of The Retail Influencer.This is a conversation about AI, Gen Z, personalization, trust and what authenticity really means for the future of retail.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if alcohol excise duties were costing Belgium more value than they generate?That is the question I put to Geert Van Lerberghe and Étienne Bouillon from Vinum et Spiritus in this new episode of Retail Influencer.Since the major increase in excise duties in 2015, price differences with neighbouring countries have become significant for certain categories.And the issue goes far beyond the bottle of alcohol itself.A consumer crossing the border to buy whisky, gin or liqueur at a lower price may also do part of their grocery shopping there. Alcohol then becomes the trigger that can move an entire shopping basket abroad. With consequences for Belgian retailers, suppliers, employment and, more broadly, for the value created in Belgium.A conversation that goes well beyond alcohol and raises a real retail question: how do we make sure that consumer spending stays on our market as much as possible?I invite you to listen to the original conversation on the French podcast stream of Retail Influencer www.20CENTRETAIL.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Elisa Servais was in Paris for the second edition of NRF Retail’s Big Show Europe. Naturally, in this episode of the Retail Influencer, we take a look at what she saw, heard… and, above all, what caught her attention.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Maison&Objet is not a retail show. And that is precisely why retailers should pay attention to it.In this new episode of the Retail Influencer, Elisa Servais talks to Vincent Panneels about her visit to Maison&Objet in Paris.A show that we instinctively associate with decoration, design, home and lifestyle. But which, according to Elisa, is becoming increasingly interesting for anyone working on physical stores.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September was clearly not a quiet start to the retail season.Quite the opposite.Between the Carrefour and Delhaize trade shows, new concepts such as ShopeeZ and CRAVY, the transformation of Cora, the trends emerging for the end of the year, wine fairs, NRF Paris, Maison&Objet… there was certainly plenty going on.In this new Monthly Recap, Elisa Servais and I look back at what stood out to us over the past few weeks.But also at what’s coming up in October: a visit to Luxembourg, the Retail Tours and, of course, SIAL Paris.A very busy September.And it looks like October won’t be any quieter.Listen to the new episode of the Retail Influencer.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.