The Tech For Retail 2024 trade show was held on November 26 and 27 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. This not-to-be-missed event for retail and e-commerce professionals attracted over 325 exhibitors, 95 start-ups and 11,000 visitors.
Univers Retail had the opportunity to visit the show and attend 5 conferences on upcoming trends in the retail sector.
Conference #1
AI in Retail: use cases and prospects

The retail sector is becoming more fragile due to inflation and an uncertain geopolitical context. Faced with these difficulties, it is crucial for retailers to rethink the way they address their customers. AI is emerging as a decisive lever for improving productivity and meeting customer requirements. The panel present demonstrated through various case studies carried out in their respective companies, how AI has been able to respond positively.
- FNAC DARTY FNACARTY: use of generative AI to improve the search engine, generate high value-added product descriptions, and automate customer moderation.
- GOOGLEGoogle has optimized its processes using its own AI models to boost productivity.
- REXEL Rexel: after an early investment in predictive AI back in 2018, Rexel has repeated the AI experiment by building an alert algorithm to notify sales staff if a customer is at risk of running out of stock, and prediction on stock depth and condition to anticipate out-of-stocks.
Conference #2
How does Coopérative U support its outlets to improve operational performance?
Patricia Pierre, Head of Sales Outlet Organization & Projects and Fresh Trades at Coopérative U, explained that during in-store audits, they found that there was a need for optimization of goods flows at POS. The aim was therefore to improve in-store tools and processes.
To do so, they collaborated with TimeSkipperrepresented by Pierre-Yves Blanchard, Associate General Manager at Timeskipper. During the conference, he explained how their collaboration has enabled Coopérative U to optimize its points of sale by focusing on employee training and improving in-store tools.
- Building on existing resources: Coopérative U chose to rely initially on its DNA, then to develop Quality management and invest in the Upstream to optimize store-related costs.
- Employee training Employee training: Training for all employees, with a cross-functional approach to the entire merchandise flow, with definition and monitoring of KPIs for continuous process improvement.
- Optimization of working time Reorganization of work schedules to focus on high value-added tasks.
Result: 800 POS trained with 3% breakage rate
Conference #3
Ready-to-wear trends and prospects in France and Europe
Google and Kantar underline the importance of differentiation to thrive in the ready-to-wear ready-to-wear sector. Consumers today nowadays value rather than price. Six key differentiating factors have been identified engagement, trend, utility, technology, community and uniqueness.
Brands that are committed to social or environmental causes and know how to rally a community around their values come out on top, as do those that offer an interactive in-store experience.
Bringing these six elements together is a rarity among French retailers today, but a challenge to be taken up.
Conference #4
The digital transformation of in-store retail media
Using a pilot store (Carrefour de Montesson, Ile de France), the panel demonstrated the impact that in-store Retail Media can have, particularly when synchronized with off-store activities.
Retail media is particularly differentiating in the context of promotional campaigns, where it offers attractive conversion rates (+42% on sales in the pilot store). A genuine transformation lever, it is a key element of this show, and a major challenge for companies that rely on physical stores.
Conference #5
The combined use of AI and data to generate traffic and sales
Avanci presented three cases of using AI and data to boost sales:
- Case 1 - Generative AI : Setting up an interface called Data Insight to enable instant access to data thanks to AI. The main challenge was to structure the data to feed the AI.
- Case 2 - Predictive AI Les Petites Bombes wanted to acquire new customers. Avanci's idea was to use a massive database called Profilia to target marketing campaigns. The aim was to find profiles similar to those of existing customers around the stores, and to push targeted campaigns.
- Case 3 - Hyper-personalization : The final case was to determine customer purchase predictions based on their purchase history and existing product catalog. The combination of this data made it possible to personalize offers and increase sales.
The success of these 3 projects hinges on two points: the data quality and analysis of existing data to determine an action plan.
AI doesn't bring value without these two elements, which will enable you to control and obtain the desired result.



To find out more...
To find out how we can help you embrace AI and guarantee your company's competitiveness and future success, we encourage you to visit our dedicated page: AI by Univers Retail or contact our experts
By Cira Diagana