Artificial Intelligence Integration and Sustainable Operations in Physical Retail Stores: A Comparative Analysis of Brands and SDG Alignment

This paper explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in physical retail stores to enhance customer experiences and promote sustainable business operations. Through a comparative analysis of various brands, this study examines the utilization of AI algorithms for personalized product recommendations, virtual try-on experiences, and chatbot assistance in diverse industries. The seamless integration of touchpoints, including mobile apps, interactive store maps, and voice assistants, enables efficient inventory management and real-time data adjustments. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are employed to create immersive experiences, such as virtual makeup try-ons and furniture visualization. AI-generated insights and analytics facilitate data-driven decision making, ensuring responsible consumption and production. This research emphasizes the alignment of AI integration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9, SDG 11 and SDG 12. The findings contribute to the understanding of AI’s role in retail environments and offer valuable insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to leverage AI technologies for sustainable practices.