, APAC
202 views
Photo from Ingka Group

IKEA uses AI-improved demand sensing technology for accurate customer data

Demand sensing has seen success in IKEA from its pilot in Norway last 2020.

IKEA Retail (Ingka Group), through a three-year collaboration with Inter IKEA Systems, Blue Yonder, and other key players, has implemented AI-driven technology and demand sensing for an improved customer experience.

The new AI enhancements serve as a significant turn for IKEA in its omnichannel strategy.

The process of demand sensing allows companies to accurately examine short-term demand patterns over various channels through customer insights, market events, price ranges, marketing campaigns, weather reports, and economic factors.

Aside from its accurate reporting of customer preferences, the new demand-sensing technology has supported workers with accurate forecasts and adoption from shifting data variables. With improved planning tools, IKEA workers have their productivity enhanced with strategic decisions, prompted by demand sensing.

ALSO READ: Retail in South Korea grows 8.7% in November

An initial pilot of demand sensing took place in Norway last 2020, which saw significant improvement in accurate forecasts, customer interactions and coworker collaborations. Through its official implementation, IKEA Portugal has seen similar significant success with forecast accuracy of up to 5%.

“AI has been a game-changer for us, making our routine tasks easier with the use smart models. However, the tool is only as good as the data it provided. The real heroes here are our coworkers, as they bring invaluable insights and always ensure the quality of data is there,” Parag Parekh, Global Chief Digital Officer of Ingka Group, stated.

With the success of the AI-enhanced demand sensing technology, IKEA is foreseeing utilising more of its capabilities for an improved shopping experience.

Join Retail Asia community
Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you dight and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

Exclusives

Hong Kong’s K11 MUSEA bridges art, culture, and retail
Visitors find top-tier brands and museum-grade art pieces at the cultural-retail landmark.
Meta is investing big in business messaging
Companies can boost sales by reaching more customers on Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp.
MINISO opens biggest global store in Jakarta
The Chinese retailer aims to hit 1,000 stores in the next five years from about 300 now.