Nearly two-thirds (63%) of retailers say AI is criticalto maintaining a competitive edge, and they expect an average 51% return on investment from AI deployments within the first three years.

This was main conclusion from a report by Irish vision AI company Everseen revealing retailers’ plans for rapid AI deployments alongside the critical need for transparency and consumer trust.

Based on a survey of 200 loss prevention retail executives and more than 1000 US consumers, the report reveals key insights into the evolving role of AI in retail operations and shopper interactions.

More than half (55%) of consumers are comfortable with AI and advanced retail technology, and nearly two-thirds (65%) say AI makes shopping more convenient.

Loss prevention though is a shared concern, with 85% of consumers believing theft contributes to higher prices, and most retailers (60%) having already turned to AI to address the issue.

But transparency is critical, with 72% of consumers wanting greater transparency about AI use in grocery and retail stores. Retailers are already using multiple disclosure methods, including signage at entrances (44%), which 64% of consumers find helpful. Half of consumers also cite self-checkout pop-ups as effective.

“AI is already transforming retail, driving efficiency, reducing shrink and enhancing customer experiences,” said Alan O’Herlihy, CEO of Everseen. “It’s encouraging to see the shared perspective of consumers and retailers on how AI can improve the shopping experience. The insights from this report can help the industry align on key success factors for AI, including measurable impacts on shrink reduction and the importance of transparency.”

AI is already playing a major role in loss prevention, with 60% of retailers having implemented AI and another 30% planning to do so within the next year. Consumers are equally attuned to the issue, with nearly three-quarters (74%) believing theft leads to store closures, and 59% that AI technology, such as product recognition at checkout, can help reduce it.

Retailers rank better customer service and support (31%) and improved store layout and navigation (31%) as top benefits. Consumers see AI improving their experience through faster checkouts (44%), better inventory management (43%) and more personalised shopping (24%).

Despite the optimism, AI implementation does come with problems. Retailers cite time and resources for training (47%), customer acceptance and trust (46%), and integration with existing systems (44%) as key hurdles.

To download “Everseen Insights: The Future of AI in Retail”, visit everseen.ubpages.com/future-of-ai-in-retail-report.

The survey was conducted in January 2025 by Censuswide, an independent research firm, polling 200 loss prevention executives at large US retailers with self-checkout in stores and 1002 US consumers who have used self-checkout technology.

Everseen (www.everseen.ai) specialises in vision AI, and is used by 11 of the top 20 global retailers. The company is transforming retail by reducing shrink, streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. The firm’s vision AI platform has the largest footprint of AI-powered computer vision endpoints in retail, and can be applied to a wide range of industries with physical workflows.