While AI adoption is helping retail workers save time, many are still struggling to redeploy these time savings into the most impactful, value-adding tasks, new research by the Adecco Group, a global talent and technology advisory company, reveals.

Original research in its latest report – ‘Humanity At Work: How To Thrive In The AI Era’ – which polled 37,500 workers globally, including 6,391 in retail, reveals that AI tools and agents are helping retail workers save 2 hours and 15 minutes each day on average.

Yet, despite this time saving, retail employees aren’t putting this freed-up time into the most impactful or higher value activities, with one in three who save time using AI still spending it on the same or more mundane tasks. Meanwhile, only around two in fifths (38%) of retail employees says they can confidently measure the impact of their work, despite AI advancements.

To channel this efficiency into engagement, the report recommends retailers help their staff measure the impact of their work and divert their efforts into value-adding tasks.

“AI is now a daily reality,” Denis Machuel, CEO of the Adecco Group, said. “However, technology in itself is not enough to drive change – people remain at the heart of every transformation. To turn efficiency into business impact, leaders must also invest in training and engagement to unlock value.”

Almost six in ten (58%) retail staff expect their employers to integrate AI
agents into their workflows within the next 12 months, showing the wide ranging impact of Agentic AI in redesigning the world of work. However the report warns of the need for human connection in order to build trust – and greater adoption.

A third (33%) of retail employees are involved in the design of work being reshaped by AI, +3 percentage points higher than the global industry average (30%), which is helping enhance trust. Retail staff rated their AI trust score at 4.9 out of 10, ranking 0.4 index points higher than the global average (4.5).

“Investing in transparent governance, ethical frameworks and continuous upskilling is the only way to unlock sustainable productivity gains while maintaining trust,” Machuel added. “All this must be carried out with people at the heart of the strategy.”

“As the workplace continues to evolve, collaboration between employers and employees, empowered by technology, will be key to building a resilient and future-ready workforce,” he concluded.