H&M uses big data and AI to "save" sales decline


With the rise of the online shopping trend in the digital age, the reduction in physical store traffic has become the number one problem that plagues retail stores. In the double suppression of COVID-19 and social isolation policy, the entire retail industry has been further devastated. Take H&M, a well-known fast-moving consumer clothing brand, as an example. Due to limited store sales in the past three years, the company's share price has fallen by 56%.
To this end, H&M plans to adjust the way it uses information technology to improve business performance. Their goal is to win customers' favour again through artificial intelligence and big data. As for the specific strategy, they hope to use big data to plan apparel categories sold in different stores, instead of providing the same supply of goods to all stores around the world. H&M's business strategy adjustment At present, H&M has convened 200 data scientists, hoping to understand the sales model and trend of each product in each store. H&M hopes that by investing in big data technology and combining customer demand sorting at the local level, it will help it increase its own revenue while gaining the trust of stakeholders.
To achieve this goal, H&M's management team needs to find a new way to create value for customers. They began to shift their focus to exploring market opportunities and developed corresponding solutions to seize these new opportunities. After research, managers and team members found that big data seemed to be a solution with great potential for success. Like most traditional brick-and-mortar retail companies, H&M originally analyzed the preferences of consumers through a team of designers, and then developed products that catered to buyers' tastes. But in fact, this model is not successful. To this end, H&M began using algorithms to analyze store revenue, returns, and membership card data. H&M's new strategy no longer emphasizes universal apparel and store design, but tailors products according to local needs. Through analysis, H&M found that personalization and high-quality experience have become the only magic weapon to attract customers. Customers also hope to see high-quality materials and more fashionable design elements in apparel products. It is worth mentioning that H&M does not intend to reduce the merchandise sales team, but to equip them with advanced tools and technologies to make more informed decisions. The company hopes big data can help H& Verification results: In Ostmalm, Stockholm, there is an H&M store that always sells basic clothing for all ages and genders. In the early stage of technology trial, this store found that most of the customers who come to shop through big data and artificial intelligence are women, and they prefer fashion clothes such as flower skirts.
In addition, through behavior analysis, H&M found that shoppers are...

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