Exploring the Future of Shopping with Virtual Try-Ons and AI Smart Carts

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Kate Orara: Hey there, retail tech enthusiasts! Welcome to the Rising Stars Podcast, your go-to for all things retail tech and point of sale. I’m Kate Orara, Partner Development Manager at Star Micronics, and I’m excited to guide you through this journey. Here, we dive into the latest innovations shaping the retail, hospitality, and cannabis industries. So whether you’re a techie or a business owner, this is your backstage pass to insider knowledge. Join me and the Star Micronics team as we innovate and rise together.

Today, we’re diving into two amazing stories that showcase the power of partnerships in reshaping customer experiences. First, we’ll explore how Goddiva, a standout in the fashion world, is teaming up with Zyler to revolutionize online shopping with virtual try-on technology. Then we’ll head to France, where Intermarché is piloting AI-powered smart carts with Shopic and Capgemini. So grab your coffee or your notepad—this is going to be a fun episode!

All right, let’s start with Goddiva and Zyler’s virtual try-on technology. Goddiva is a fashion brand that’s setting a new standard for online shopping. If you’ve ever shopped for clothes online, you know the struggle—or at least my fellow ladies do. Maybe guys do too, but for me as a female, it’s always a struggle. Does it fit? How will it look on me? Well, Goddiva has partnered with Zyler to solve this problem with virtual try-on technology. Zyler lets shoppers upload a photo to see how different outfits will look on their own body. It’s personalized, intuitive, and quite frankly, could be a game-changer for Goddiva.

This isn’t just about reducing returns—though that’s going to be a huge plus. It’s about giving customers confidence in their purchases and creating a more engaging, enjoyable shopping experience. Now think about what this means for the broader retail landscape. As e-commerce continues to grow, tools like Zyler’s can be key differentiators. They bridge the gap between physical and digital shopping, blending convenience with personalization. And let’s not overlook how this benefits resellers and tech providers. By aligning with brands like Zyler, you can offer solutions that make online shopping smarter, more interactive, and customer-centric.

Now, I did get to actually play around on the Zyler website, which was kind of fun. While the concept is good, I think there are some tweaks that need to happen. I was able to plug in my height and weight, but I had to use toggle bars to give other details about my physique, like shoulder width, waist size, chest, and hips. If I had to make a suggestion, I would provide both options: keep the toggle bars, but also give consumers the opportunity to input actual measurements in inches or centimeters. Maybe the technology isn’t there yet, but it’s something to consider. Personally, I’d be more willing to purchase items if I knew for sure they’d look the way I expect based on my actual measurements rather than guessing with the toggle bars. Just my two cents!

All right, moving from online to in-store, let’s talk about Intermarché, one of France’s largest grocery chains. They’ve partnered with Shopic and Capgemini to bring AI-powered smart carts to life. These smart carts are incredible. Imagine walking into a store, grabbing a cart, and as you add items, the cart instantly recognizes what you’ve picked up. It also tracks your total, eliminates the need for checkout lines, and can even suggest promotions or recipes based on what you’ve selected.

What I love about this story is how it enhances the in-store experience without complicating it. It’s simple for shoppers yet loaded with advanced AI and real-time analytics. I haven’t seen these carts in person, but I’ve seen similar concepts, like bins that calculate your total. What’s really cool about these carts is the running total feature—you can see the “damage” to your wallet as you go. Plus, the inspiration for recipes based on your selected items is a huge win. It helps prevent shoppers from forgetting items while in the store, which is a consumer win, and it encourages them to purchase more, which is a win for the store. This could be a real revenue generator for Intermarché.

This is a leap forward in customer convenience and engagement, but there’s a deeper impact here. Retailers gain insights into shopper behavior, allowing them to refine product placement, inventory, and even marketing strategies. For resellers and technology providers, the lesson is clear: innovation sells. These smart carts demonstrate how combining AI with everyday shopping can drive efficiency and delight customers.

And that’s a wrap on today’s episode. From Gadiva’s virtual try-on revolution with Zyler to Intermarché’s AI-powered smart carts, we’re seeing how technology and partnerships are rewriting the rules of retail. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Rising Stars Podcast. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review—it means the world to us. Until next time, I’m Kate Orara, reminding you that innovation isn’t just the future—it’s happening right now. So let’s embrace it together.

And that is a wrap for this episode of the Rising Stars Podcast. A huge thanks to our incredible listeners for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback fuels our journey to bring you the best in retail tech. Stay connected with us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. As you sign off, remember, the future of retail technology is in our hands, and together, we are shaping it. Keep innovating, keep rising, and until next time, this is Kate Orara signing off. Together we rise.

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