Artificial Intelligence and Low-Code: The Technological Future of Retail
The retail and consumer goods sector is undergoing one of the fastest and most disruptive transformations in its history. A highly complex and ever-changing environment — marked by technological disruption and evolving consumer expectations — defines the scenario in which companies must now operate.
According to Glintt Next, what was once a competitive advantage has become a basic requirement: omnichannel retailing.
“Consumers expect seamless and consistent shopping experiences across all channels — physical stores, websites, mobile apps, social networks, marketplaces — and they want to move between them without losing information or continuity.”
At the same time, a set of new behaviours and emerging technologies is reshaping the sector at great speed.
Mobile Commerce and the Rise of the Augmented Customer Journey
Mobile commerce already represents 22% of total e-commerce revenue, and consumers now expect:
- personalised information aligned with their preferences
- sustainability-driven purchasing options
- novel digital experiences such as live stream shopping, social commerce, and immersive journeys enabled by augmented and virtual reality
Retailers are no longer designing a traditional customer journey — they are building an augmented customer journey, enriched by data, AI and new digital interfaces.
Artificial Intelligence: The Strategic Engine of Modern Retail
AI is one of the main technological enablers shaping the new era of retail. It is present in several of the most critical capabilities needed by the sector:
Hyper-personalisation powered by Big Data
Artificial intelligence analyses vast amounts of information to create highly personalised offers and tailored interactions that reflect consumers’ interests and behaviours.
Intelligent automation to boost productivity
AI takes process optimisation beyond traditional RPA, enabling intelligent automation — smarter workflows, error reduction, and higher operational efficiency.
Predictive analytics for supply chain and marketing
From inventory optimisation to demand forecasting and marketing performance, predictive AI improves decision-making and reduces uncertainty.
Cybersecurity with AI defence systems
Modern retail increasingly depends on robust security, where AI plays a crucial role in detecting anomalies and protecting digital environments.
As Glintt Next highlights:
“AI has become a strategic ally of modern retail. Those who successfully integrate it into their processes will gain the agility and insights needed for informed decision-making.”
Why AI Alone Is Not Enough: The Role of Low-Code in Retail
For AI capabilities to become real solutions, organisations need tools that:
- reduce complexity
- accelerate time-to-market
- support legacy system modernisation
This is where low-code platforms, especially OutSystems, play a critical role.
The Key Benefits of Low-Code for Retail
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- Modernise without replacing legacy systems
Low-code enables the creation of complementary applications that integrate with existing infrastructures, accelerating innovation while maintaining operational stability.
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- Faster delivery cycles
With agile development and shorter iterations, teams deliver more value in less time.
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- Increased collaboration between IT and business
Low-code fosters co-creation, encourages the rise of the citizen developer, and promotes a more product-oriented culture.
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- Scalability for long-term growth
Open and modular architectures support resilient expansion as customer and business demands intensify.
AI + Low-Code: A Powerful Combination for the Future of Retail
The union of artificial intelligence with low-code development allows retailers not only to respond to consumer expectations but also to anticipate them. This integration accelerates innovation, increases agility, and supports the creation of hyper-personalised experiences at scale.
As Glintt Next emphasizes:
“Low-code is not a passing trend, but a core modernisation strategy for competing in today’s retail landscape. Its ability to accelerate innovation makes it a catalyst for digital transformation across the entire organisation.”
The challenge is no longer to design a customer journey — it is to build an augmented customer journey, powered by data, AI, and low-code applications that connect all channels and processes cohesively.
Source: IT User
