Unleashing the Power of AI in Retail: Insights from High Street Matters Podcast from Bira ✨
By Hannah McKernon, Head of Digital Marketing at Maybe*
The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and for independent retailers, keeping pace with technology is essential. In the latest episode of the "High Street Matters" podcast from Bira, the transformative power of AI in boosting retail growth was explored with Polly Barnfield, OBE CEO of Maybe*, and Melanie Beard, co-owner of the Best Health Food Shop.
A Beacon for Independent Businesses
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is an esteemed organisation dedicated to supporting independent retailers across the UK, through access to industry expertise, networking opportunities, and advocacy. As a champion of the high street, Bira strives to promote innovation and sustainability through various programmes and partnerships, such as the collaboration with Maybe* to offer cutting-edge AI tools tailored for retail success.
Maybe* is at the forefront of the digital revolution, offering a no-code AI platform that simplifies tasks and produces tailored, on-brand content. This approach not only saves time but significantly enhances productivity and market presence. The Maybe* platform has been pivotal for businesses of all sizes, including partnerships with governmental bodies like the UK Government's High Street Task Force.
Empowering Retailers with Transformative AI
In the latest "High Street Matters" podcast episode, Polly Barnfield, Maybe* CEO, shared compelling insights into how AI has reshaped retail, revealing that companies successfully utilising social media can dramatically increase customer footfall. The Maybe* project with the UK Government highlighted that effective digital communication can boost high street presence significantly.
Polly emphasised the Maybe* mission to demystify AI for business owners, stressing that their platform allows anyone to integrate AI into their operations seamlessly, and engage effectively with customers online while maintaining their unique voice. "AI is like the difference between the horse and cart and the car," she explained, highlighting AI's potential to enhance productivity and strategic growth.
“For AI to work you need to have it in a secure and safe environment where your data is not going into the big model. And that’s what Maybe* does. It makes it really simple for anybody to get better results from AI. Safely.
Social media is a huge time drain for businesses but it is where your customer is spending time, and if you don’t tell them what you’re selling, they won’t turn up and buy it.
Maybe* is about helping businesses achieve their dreams, doing it faster. We demystify AI. Your AI knows how to be you; it crafts content that is truly yours. We are delighted to be working with Bira to support their members.”
The Melanie Beard Success Story
During the podcast, Melanie Beard detailed how Maybe* AI solutions played a critical role in her business. From creating engaging content to launching a new store's digital presence, the AI platform enabled her to focus on what mattered most—her customers. Community-driven, her strategy involved creating tailored content that resonated with local audiences, thus enhancing her store's connection with potential customers.
By taking advantage of Maybe* Your AI, Melanie was able to streamline operations across her multiple store locations, leverage social media effectively, and reduce costs significantly, all at a fraction of the expense compared to traditional methods.
Why* Maybe Stands Out
Compared to generic AI models, the Maybe* platform creates content that is intrinsically aligned with each business's unique voice and values. It's secure, tailored, and designed to make AI accessible and practical for retailers who may not have the technical know-how.
The podcast underscored the Maybe* mission: to empower independent retailers with robust AI solutions that simplify digital marketing and communication. This aligns perfectly with the Maybe* core belief that "Anything is Possible"—a belief echoed by Melanie's tangible success stories.
“Only I know my business, only the staff and myself and Len, you know, we know our business, we know our products, we know our brand.
The really painful bit, the turning my ideas into reality and into a decent social media post, that’s all been taken away from me, that’s all done by the AI.”
Maybe* was 90% responsible for the people that turned up on our open day because I could so easily... I was doing Instagram reels and posts every day while preparing the store, creating that excitement.”
Not only that Maybe* has made our digital engagement practically cost-free and saved me a whole load of money, a whole load of time.
... it’s a no brainer. And anyone can use it. You can use it for anything, not just social media.”
A Winning Partnership with BIRA
Moreover, Maybe* has partnered with the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) to offer exclusive discounts to members, significantly lowering the barrier to adopting advanced AI solutions.
Maybe* you want to know more?
The future of retail is bright for those willing to embrace AI technologies. Maybe* is not just a tool but a partner in innovation, ensuring that independent retailers can thrive in a digital-first world. As Polly Barnfield and Melanie Beard illustrated, with the right tools, the possibilities are indeed limitless.
Get started today and explore how Maybe* can transform your business, and follow the "High Street Matters" podcast from Bira for insights on the latest trends and expert advice in retail technology.
With Maybe*, Anything is Possible. Get started today - 50% discount for Bira Members
