In the last few years, retail marketing has transformed from strategies that needed mass appeal to strategies that lean on hyper-personalization. In addition, consumer preferences are changing more often than most companies can keep up with, which is why retail marketers have a lot on their plates.

The solution? Purpose-built AI. In 2023, the global AI market in retail was valued at over $7 billion, and retail companies using AI outperformed competitors in 2023 and 2024, seeing 8% growth in their annual profits.

Let’s examine the top questions marketers should ask when crafting a retail strategy for 2025, the best strategies to incorporate AI to drive success, and a practical use case.

Considerations for Retail Marketing Strategies in 2025 and Beyond

Given the speed at which retail trends change today, crafting multiple successful retail marketing strategies throughout the year is challenging. Before you spend weeks planning your company’s next move, here are a few questions you should ask to ensure your efforts are focused in the right direction for growth.

Is there a system in place to track changes in consumer preferences?

McKinsey’s Consumer Pulse survey showed how varied and ever-changing US consumer preferences have become over the last few years. A staggering 90% of respondents said switching brands (based on price, convenience, and speed) will be the norm.

This loyalty shake-up shows how important it is for retailers to always keep an eye on shifting consumer preferences. While this can be near-impossible to do manually, AI tools that crunch large data sets can help you and your team proactively spot behavioral changes amongst your buyers (so you can stay ahead of the curve.)