HONEYWELL RESEARCH REVEALS MORE THAN 80% OF RETAILERS PLAN TO INCREASE AI CAPABILITIES IN THEIR OPERATIONS IN 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Honeywell's AI in Retail Survey reveals that over 80% of retailers plan to increase their AI and automation capabilities in 2025, with 35% planning significant investments. The survey, which polled 100 U.S. retail executives and 1,000 consumers, highlights retailers' focus on addressing key operational challenges through AI implementation.

Key findings show that more than half of retail leaders report AI improving employee retention, with 52% believing it helps career progression. About 60% of executives say AI tools make jobs easier, while 55% note increased job satisfaction. On the consumer side, 66% of surveyed shoppers have used AI while shopping, primarily for price comparison (53%), checking product availability (41%), and streamlining checkout (34%).

Positive

• 80% of retailers planning to increase AI implementation indicates strong market potential for Honeywell's retail solutions
• 35% of major retailers planning significant AI investment suggests robust revenue growth opportunities
• Strong adoption metrics with 66% of consumers already using AI shopping tools shows market validation
• Positive impact on employee retention and satisfaction could lead to increased product adoption

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology Market Analyst

The survey's findings reveal a substantial 80%+ adoption rate for AI in retail operations, marking a pivotal shift in the industry's technological landscape. The focus on AI implementation across major retailers with $100M+ revenue signals a transformative period that could reshape market dynamics for retail technology providers like Honeywell.

Most compelling is the 35% of major retailers planning significant AI investments. This represents a potential multibillion-dollar opportunity in the retail tech sector, particularly beneficial for established players with comprehensive AI solutions. The emphasis on return management and inventory monitoring suggests a strategic pivot toward operational efficiency that could yield substantial cost savings and revenue optimization.

The alignment between employee satisfaction and AI adoption (52% positive career impact) indicates a sustainable implementation pathway that could accelerate technology adoption while minimizing workforce resistance - a important factor for successful digital transformation in retail.

Retail Industry Analyst

This research provides important insights into the retail sector's technological evolution. With 580,000 projected job openings in U.S. retail, the industry's embrace of AI represents more than just automation - it's a strategic response to persistent labor challenges. The 66% consumer AI interaction rate demonstrates strong market readiness for AI-enhanced shopping experiences.

The focus on price comparison (53% of consumers) and inventory management (41%) highlights specific areas where retailers can expect immediate ROI from AI investments. These priorities align perfectly with current market pressures around price sensitivity and supply chain optimization. The data suggests a clear path toward competitive advantage through AI adoption, particularly in customer service automation and inventory management systems.

Retailers expected to deploy AI to enhance operational efficiencies, help upskill employees and improve job satisfaction

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today released the findings of its AI in Retail Survey, which found that more than 8 out of 10 retailers plan to increase use of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) across their operations to adapt to changing consumer behaviors, enhance employee skills and improve efficiency for shoppers. Thirty-five percent of major retailers plan to significantly increase their AI investment.

In new AI-focused research with large U.S. retailers and holiday shoppers, Honeywell found that retailers are increasingly investing in AI to address the biggest pain points they face in today's fast-paced, omni-channel climate, including improved return management, automating customer service and monitoring product availability.

"We are truly in the midst of a new era for the retail sector where evolving AI capabilities will make a positive impact on the shopper's journey, the employee experience and the retailer's supply chain operation," said David Barker, president of Honeywell Productivity Solutions and Services. "On their journey toward autonomous operations, retailers are looking for AI and automation solutions that provide actionable data and help to upskill their employees."

Honeywell's survey reinforced that retailers are using AI to enhance employees' skills and improve their on-the-job experience, which could ultimately help fill the more than 580,000 projected U.S. retail job openings¹ this year. Key findings included:

• More than half of the surveyed retail leaders said that AI improves employee retention, and 52% believe AI can help employees progress more quickly in their careers, expand their soft skills and continuously provide value to their jobs.
  
  
• More than half (6 in 10) of retail executives said that AI tools make the job easier for employees, while 55% said they increase job satisfaction. This aligns with the retail industry's increasing focus on how employee satisfaction can support the customer experience for their businesses.

AI is also playing an increasingly important role in improving the customer experience for shoppers, both when shopping online and in person. It can provide shoppers better access to information, speedier transactions as well as an easier way to compare prices. Key findings from Honeywell's survey of shoppers included:

• Two-thirds of surveyed consumers (66%) reported that they have used AI while shopping, whether to ask a question via a chat bot, compare prices for an item across retailers or summarize customer reviews.
  
  
• Comparing prices across stores is by far the most sought-after use case for AI (53%) followed by checking product availability (41%) and having a simpler and more seamless checkout experience (34%).

To learn more about the survey results and how Honeywell's AI solutions are helping to shape the new retail era, please visit https://automation.honeywell.com/us/en/industries/retail.

Methodology

Honeywell commissioned Wakefield Research to conduct the Honeywell Retail Executives Survey and the Honeywell Retail Consumers Survey (collectively referred to as the "Honeywell AI in Retail Survey"). These were Omnibus surveys polling individuals from December 2 to December 8, 2024 using an email invitation and online survey format. The Retail Executives Survey polled 100 U.S. executives with a minimum seniority of Vice President at retail companies with a minimum annual revenue of $100 million. The Retail Consumers Survey polled 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+.

About Honeywell

Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and safer as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

¹ www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm 

Media Contact:

Carly Ingersoll
+1 (704) 626-1374
carling.ingersoll@honeywell.com

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SOURCE Honeywell

FAQ

What percentage of retailers plan to increase AI usage in 2025 according to HON's survey?

According to Honeywell's survey, more than 80% of retailers plan to increase their use of automation and AI across operations in 2025.

How many retail executives reported AI improving employee retention in HON's study?

More than half of the surveyed retail leaders reported that AI improves employee retention.

What percentage of consumers have used AI while shopping according to HON's survey?

66% of surveyed consumers reported using AI while shopping, for tasks such as chatbot interactions, price comparisons, and review summaries.

What are the top 3 consumer use cases for AI in retail according to HON's research?

The top three consumer use cases for AI in retail are price comparison across stores (53%), checking product availability (41%), and having a simpler checkout experience (34%).

How many U.S. retail job openings are projected for the year according to HON's report?

According to the report, there are more than 580,000 projected U.S. retail job openings for the year.