5 Voice AI Use Cases in Retail and e-Commerce

Think about the last time you effortlessly asked your phone for directions or told your smart speaker to play your favorite song. It felt natural, didn’t it? Now, imagine that same ease and convenience applied to your shopping experience. Forget fumbling with touchscreens or endless scrolling – Voice AI will buy everything for you.

In this post, I’ve shared some top-rated use cases of AI voice for retail and e-commerce. Get ready to say hello to the future of shopping, where your voice is your most powerful shopping tool!

Use Cases of Voice AI in Retail

Imagine walking into your favorite shop and talking to find what you need. That’s the magic Voice AI brings to traditional retail. It’s not just about futuristic robots; it’s already becoming a part of our everyday shopping experiences. Here are some cool ways voice technology is being used in retail:

1. Voice Search and Product Information

Forget typing on a screen. Imagine you’re looking for a specific type of shoe. You could say, “Hey store assistant, show me running shoes for long distances, preferably in blue.” Voice search makes it incredibly easy and quick to find products. This is especially helpful when carrying bags or when your hands are full.

Similarly, if you see a product you like but want more details, you could ask, “Tell me more about this smart speaker.” Voice AI can instantly provide information like features and customer reviews, and compare it with similar products. This helps customers make informed decisions without hunting down a store employee.

2. Personalized Recommendations

Think about the times you’ve wished a shop knew exactly what you were looking for. Voice AI can make this a reality.

By understanding your past purchases and browsing history (with your permission, of course!), a voice assistant in a store can offer personalized recommendations.

For example, if you frequently buy coffee beans, the assistant might say, “Welcome back! We just got a new batch of your favorite Ethiopian Yirgachiffe.” This creates a more engaging and tailored shopping experience, making you feel valued as a customer.

3. Hands-free Assistance and Navigation

Navigating a large store can sometimes be a hassle. Voice AI can help with that, too! Imagine asking, “Where can I find the dairy section?” and getting clear, spoken directions. This voice navigation can be handy for people with disabilities or those who prefer not to look at their phones while shopping.

Furthermore, in fitting rooms, you could use voice commands to request a different size or color without stepping out and finding an assistant. This hands-free convenience enhances the overall shopping experience.

4. Streamlined Checkout Processes

Even the checkout process can be made smoother with Voice AI. While fully voice-based checkout might still be a bit down the road for widespread use, we already see steps in this direction.

For example, some stores experiment with voice commands to initiate payment or get information about loyalty programs and discounts. This can reduce wait times and make the final shopping step much quicker.

5. Voice-Controlled Self-Checkout

Imagine walking up to a self-checkout kiosk and simply stating your items. Voice-controlled self-checkout systems could allow customers to verbally confirm the products they purchase, making the process even faster and more intuitive. This could be particularly beneficial for individuals with limited mobility or visual impairments, making the self-checkout option more accessible.

Use Cases of Voice AI in E-commerce

Online shopping has revolutionized how we buy things, and Voice AI is taking it to the next level. Just like in physical stores, using your voice online offers incredible convenience and opens up new possibilities. Here’s how conversational AI is changing the e-commerce landscape:

1. Voice Search and Product Discovery

Typing on a small phone screen can be cumbersome. Voice-enabled search on e-commerce websites and apps allows you to speak what you’re looking for simply. Whether it’s “the latest smartphone with a great camera” or “a comfortable cotton t-shirt in size medium,” voice search makes finding products much faster and easier.

This is especially useful when you’re multitasking or have limited mobility. Moreover, voice search can understand natural language queries, so you don’t have to worry about using specific keywords.

2. Voice Shopping and Order Placement

Imagine telling your smart device, “Order me two packs of my usual coffee beans and a bottle of almond milk.” With Voice AI, this is becoming a reality.

Voice shopping allows you to add items to your cart and even complete the checkout process. This hands-free experience is incredibly convenient and can save you much time. Think about ordering groceries while you’re cooking or reordering household essentials without having to open an app.

3. Personalized Recommendations and Customer Support

Just like in physical stores, Voice AI can provide personalized recommendations in the online world. Based on your browsing history, past purchases, and even your stated preferences through voice interactions, e-commerce platforms can offer suggestions tailored to your interests.

For instance, your virtual assistant might say, “Based on your recent purchase of gardening tools, you might also be interested in these new organic fertilizers.”

Additionally, voice-based customer service is becoming increasingly common. Instead of typing out a long query, you can speak to a virtual agent to get answers to your questions, track your orders, or resolve issues.

4. Seamless Integration with Smart Devices

The beauty of Voice AI in e-commerce is its seamless integration with the growing number of smart devices we use daily – from smart speakers and smartphones to smartwatches and even smart TVs. This means you can start your shopping journey on one device and continue on another, all using your voice.

For example, you might start by asking your smart speaker about the price of a particular item and then complete the purchase through the app on your phone using voice commands. This creates a truly interconnected and convenient shopping experience.

5. Voice Reminders and Notifications

Imagine your virtual shopping assistant reminding you that the sweater you were looking at is now on sale, notifying you that your latest order has shipped, and providing a voice update on its estimated delivery time.

Voice-based reminders and notifications can enhance the post-purchase experience and keep customers informed without them having to check their emails or apps constantly. This proactive communication can improve customer satisfaction and encourage repeat purchases.

The Final Word

Voice AI is ushering in a new age of intuitive, conversational commerce that promises to redefine the entire shopping journey. Businesses that recognize the power of the human voice and embrace this technological shift will undoubtedly be the ones who connect most effectively with their customers and thrive in the increasingly voice-driven future of retail and e-commerce.

It’s time to lend an ear – and a voice – to the future of shopping!

FAQs – Use Cases for Voice AI in Retail and e-Commerce