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AI Is Becoming Your New Shopping Assistant
Reliance Retail has launched an AI-powered shopping assistant in Yousta and Trends stores, helping customers get personalised fashion recommendations through a QR code scan.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is slowly changing the way people shop for clothes. Earlier, customers depended on sales staff for help with colours, sizes, matching outfits and fashion advice. Today, AI can provide similar suggestions within seconds.
Reliance Retail has introduced an AI-powered shopping assistant for its youth fashion brand Yousta and also for Trends stores. In February 2026, the company launched a pilot programme called Smart Discovery. The aim is to combine the convenience of online shopping with the experience of visiting a physical store.
Customers can scan a QR code inside the store using their smartphones to access the AI assistant. It can suggest clothes based on a customer's style, recommend complete outfits, help find products available in the store and even search items that are not displayed on the shelves. The system also learns from customer preferences to give better recommendations over time.
Technology has been part of Yousta stores since the brand was launched in 2023. Many stores already have QR-enabled information screens, self-checkout counters, free Wi-Fi and mobile charging stations to make shopping quicker and easier, especially for young customers.
Globally, brands such as Zara, H&M, Uniqlo and Nike have already introduced smart mirrors, virtual fitting rooms and AI-based recommendation systems. However, Reliance Retail's Smart Discovery is among the first large-scale efforts in India to bring AI-powered personalised shopping advice into physical fashion stores through a QR-code system.
Experts believe AI will support store staff rather than replace them, as many customers still prefer speaking to a salesperson for important purchases like weddings and festivals. In the future, shoppers may receive instant styling tips, size recommendations and product information on their phones while shopping.
At the Reliance Industries AGM in June 2026, Chairman Mukesh Ambani said the company is entering a "Deeptech Intelligence Era", where AI will play a much bigger role across retail operations. As AI continues to grow, it is expected to become a common part of the shopping experience in clothing stores.