The retail sector has engaged positively with AI thus far when compared with other sectors. The impacts that AI can have on optimising retail operations is particularly wide-ranging and it is clear that retail decision-makers have an appetite to explore new AI use cases within the sector. Data privacy and organisational readiness (particularly from a skillset perspective) top the list of concerns surrounding AI adoption. Development of data strategies that position AI adoption as a key design principle and delivery of tailored AI training programmes will be key features of retail organisations that lead the way in terms of AI adoption and leveraging the associated operational efficiencies.