What tech will be the biggest disruptor to retail?

Sean McKee, ecommerce and customer services director, Schuh

“The next disruption to actually address real business challenges looks like being artificial intelligence (AI).

“It’s not too hard to envisage chatbots allowing us to more efficiently handle routine site interactions with our customers in a way which is both more efficient, low-friction, and enables us to free up our most precious resource – our people.

“I’d envisage some of our most routine tasks moving away from needing any live people assistance”

“I’d envisage some of our most routine tasks, such as order-tracking, moving away from needing any live people assistance and giving the customer a faster, accurate outcome that works for both parties.”

Mark Wood, chief technology officer at snack foods etailer Graze.com

“We’ve seen the growth of Deliveroo as a way for restaurants to expand their reach, and the desire to reduce delivery times can only lead to happier customers.

“The product I want, sold locally and then delivered directly to my office all within an hour: what’s not to love?”

“What about a Deliveroo-type service for retail purchases? The product I want, sold locally and then delivered directly to my office all within an hour: what’s not to love?”

Craig Sears-Black, NED and advisor to tech businesses

“Artificial intelligence combined with big data mining will give retailers far greater understanding of consumer behaviour, allowing greater personalisation and innovation on a mass scale.

“Retail needs to be more than just transactional.”

Karen McCormick, chief investment officer and partner at investment firm Beringea

“Online marketing budgets will actually be able to track physical store visits following an ad placement”

“Pay-per-visit advertising.

“Rather than pay per click or pay per user, online marketing budgets will actually be able to track physical store visits following an ad placement.”

Nickyl Raithatha, chief executive, Finery London

“The next disruption is the creation of a fully integrated, seamless omnichannel experience.

“Bringing together recent trends such as the rise of mobile, machine learning and digital payments, to give the customer a personalised and consistent experience across all channels – that’s what will drive the engagement and loyalty needed in an increasingly fragmented landscape.”

Jon Buss, managing director at location data specialist Yext

“Robots. Customers will be able to get answers from chatbots, check stock availability in real time at the location level, get accessory recommendations from smart mirrors, and so much more.

“Artificial intelligence and machine learning are going to bring about the next big wave in retail, to be sure.”

Oliver Bridge, founder of subscription-based shaving retailer Cornerstone

“In our category it will be consumable products such as toiletries using ‘internet of things’ technology to ‘know’ when they are running out and need replenishing.

“A business like Cornerstone can then send the customer a replacement and they won’t need to shop in a traditional bricks-and-mortar store.”

Steve Johnson, founder of fashion tech firm Holm

“Personalisation (of course). Not simply the marketing kind, but the selling kind that significantly improves service, creates loyalty and steals market share from others.

“Where data is further utilised to even more disruptive effect.”