ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Physical stores are no longer just places to ring up transactions. The smartest retailers are transforming them into data-driven revenue engines, and the results are impossible to ignore. This episode of Retail Reality Check breaks down the specific AI deployments producing measurable bottom-line gains right now.
From Tecovas generating a 9.6% revenue lift with AI-managed product categories to Macy's "Ask Macy's" chatbot driving 4.75x higher spend per shopper , the evidence is clear: store modernization is no longer optional. The episode also explores how Lowe's Mylow Companion app is handling a million questions a week across 1,700 stores and delivering a 300 basis point improvement in net promoter scores.
Beyond the deep dives, a rapid-fire lightning round covers autonomous stores at Circa Resort, AI-powered meal planning at Harps Food Stores, same-day fashion delivery via DoorDash, Aldi's smart cart pilots, hybrid checkout at Scotmid Co-op, RFID-powered operations at Groupe Dynamite's London flagship, and Amazon's expanding no-box return network.
Why cash actually costs retailers 15.5% of sales once labor, transport, and shrinkage are factored in, compared to roughly 3% for card processing
How Tecovas achieved a 9.6% revenue lift and a 2% in-stock improvement using AI-managed inventory categories
The three-part AI strategy behind Tecovas' "radical hospitality" model: predictive allocation, event-driven staffing, and the Boot Runner program
How Lowe's Mylow Companion app delivers project-level expertise to 250,000 associates, producing a 300 basis point NPS gain
Why Macy's "Ask Macy's" chatbot users spend 4.75x more than non-users, and what drives that conversion lift
The rapid expansion of autonomous retail, same-day delivery, hybrid checkout, and RFID-enabled store formats across multiple segments
Why modernizing your store technology is now an existential priority rather than a back-burner project
Timestamps
0:45 — The hidden cost of legacy systems and why cash costs 15.5% of sales (IHL Group research)
1:50 — Tecovas and "radical hospitality" powered by AI
2:30 — Tecovas results: 9.6% revenue lift in AI-managed categories
2:50 — Tecovas' three-part AI strategy: Invent.AI, Lookout, and Boot Runner
3:30 — Deep Dive: Lowe's Mylow Companion and the challenge of project-level expertise
4:00 — Lowe's results: 300 basis point NPS improvement, ~1 million questions per week
4:30 — Deep Dive: Macy's "Ask Macy's" chatbot powered by Google Gemini
5:00 — Macy's results: 4.75x higher shopper spend
5:45 — Lightning Round: Industry-wide innovations
6:00 — Circa Resort autonomous smart store
6:10 — Harps Food Stores AI meal planning assistant
6:20 — DoorDash same-day fashion delivery (Urban Outfitters, Steve Madden)
6:30 — Aldi e-commerce revamp and smart cart pilots
6:40 — Scotmid Co-op hybrid checkout rollout
6:50 — Groupe Dynamite's London flagship with RFID and mobile checkout
7:00 — Amazon adds 1,500+ FedEx locations for no-box returns
7:15 — Closing: Is your tech stack a cost center or a competitive advantage?
7:35 — JustAskGreg.ai ad read
Companies & Technology:
Tecovas — Western lifestyle retailer using Invent.AI, Lookout, and Boot Runner
Lowe's — Mylow Companion AI associate tool
Macy's — "Ask Macy's" chatbot powered by Google Gemini
Circa Resort & Casino — VenHub autonomous smart store
Harps Food Stores — SmartMeals AI shopping assistant via Breez AI / AWG
DoorDash — Same-day delivery partnerships with Urban Outfitters, Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, Rally House
Aldi U.S. — Instacart Storefront Pro e-commerce and Caper Cart smart carts
Scotmid Co-op — 4POS hybrid checkout solution
Groupe Dynamite / Garage Clothing — Manhattan Associates mobile checkout and RFID on Oxford Street
Amazon — FedEx Office no-box return expansion
Connect with IHL Group:
Website: https://www.ihlservices.com
JustAskGreg.ai: https://justaskgreg.ai
LinkedIn: IHL Group
Newsletter: Retail Reality Check at ihlservices.com/newsletter
