You might think that artificial intelligence would want the British high street full of cyborg charging points and hologram buskers, but you’d be wrong.
In fact, the AI ChatGPT has some pretty sensible ideas about the future of our town’s and city’s cultural and economic hubs. From eco-warrior clothes shops to more cashier-less checkouts, AI reckons the British high street’s future is bright, as long as it is able to innovate.
So if you’re the owner of a high street shop, what changes should you be making? These are AI’s four suggestions:
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Offer Unique Experiences
ChatGPT reckons shops should be more than a shop. It reckons you should be able to go bowling at your local Tesco, grab a pint at the local Boots after picking up your mouthwash.
This might sound a bit mad, but when you think about it, it’s pretty smart. High-street book shops have had real success with opening coffee shops in their stores, and hairdressers lure customers in with complimentary beverages too.
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On the subject, ChatGPT says: ‘As online shopping continues to grow, physical stores that provide something more than just products—like personalized services, cultural events, or community spaces—will attract consumers.”
Focus on Health and Well-being
More than ever, it seems harder and harder to keep healthy.
With ever changing food fads, weird diets, and strange health hacks, everyone seems keen to keep their body and mind in good shape but not always sure how to do it.
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It seems like a good idea then for high street shops to offer their punters products which keep them healthy, and could probably make a pretty penny by shifting what they sell to match the latest diet and health trends.
ChatGPT reckons: ‘The growing emphasis on health, fitness, and mental wellness creates opportunities for brands that can serve these needs in innovative ways.’
Leverage Technology
Unsurprisingly, ChatGPT reckons more and more tech will make its way onto our high streets.
The AI assistant believes that scrapping cashiers and replacing them with self-checkouts will make customers’ lives easier (it doesn’t seem to worried about potential lay-offs though).
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It also reckons that we should be downloading apps (yawn) for every store we shop in, which could use our data to streamline the experience.
Here’s its explanation: ‘Integrating technology into the shopping experience, whether through AI, cashier-less checkouts, or personalised apps, meets the demand for convenience and customisation.’
Support Local and Ethical Consumption
Chat GPT thinks it’s really important that consumers pay attention to the environmental impact of what they buy, as well as taking ethical considerations when they shop.
On an unrelated note, ChatGPT is responsible for 100,000s of kilograms of carbon emissions, as per The Guardian and the Harvard Review, as well as using up a huge quantity of water. Its parent company, OpenAI, also paid thousands of Kenyan workers on less than $2 per hour to help filter disturbing and toxic content, according to an investigation by Time magazine.
Anyway, the virtual AI thinks that more and more consumers should think about the products they use, and the companies they support.
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It said this: “Brands that prioritise sustainability are increasingly favoured by consumers, especially among younger generations who are more environmentally conscious.
There is also a shift towards supporting local businesses and ethical products, and brands that align with these values will resonate with future consumers.”