RetailTech: Empowering Retail’s Front Line, Creating Smarter Stores—Five Tech-Driven Strategies for Associate Enablement

Published – May 2025

Associate enablement in retail is more important than ever amid high staff turnover and shifting consumer expectations. In-person service also remains a key differentiator for physical stores over online-only experiences.

Empowering associates with technology not only improves productivity and employee experiences but also translates to more positive, repeat customer interactions. In this RetailTech report, we present five key strategies for retailers to leverage technology in stores to realize these gains and, ultimately, drive revenue.

Our insights touch on AI (artificial intelligence), computer vision, clienteling, flexible scheduling and the customer experience.

Dive into this report to get a step ahead in the brick-and-mortar landscape: Empower retail’s front line and create smarter stores.

Data in this research report include:

• Proprietary survey findings—benefits of equipping employees with mobile devices; scheduling capabilities that drive key outcomes

Introduction

Five Tech-Driven Strategies for Associate Enablement: Coresight Research Analysis

1. Put More Devices into Associates’ Hands (and Ears)
2. Offer Flexible Scheduling Options
3. Enhance Associates’ Knowledge and Efficiency Through Clienteling
4. Tap the Power of GenAI to Boost Productivity
5. Gain a Competitive Edge in Customer Service with Agentic AI

What We Think

• Impacts from AI
• Implications for Brands/Retailers
• Implications for Technology Vendors

Notes

8-page PDF report

Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, Target, Workday, Zebra Technologies

• Five Tech-Driven Strategies for Associate Enablement
• Expected Benefits of Equipping Employees with Mobile Devices (Z-Score Index)
• Scheduling Capabilities That Would Most Contribute to Higer Recruitment, Retention and Employee Satisfaction (% of Respondents)