The Importance of AI Investment in the Floral Industry
A retail and industry worker using AI on a laptop. | Tierney, via Adobe Stock
Retail is not dipping its toe in artificial intelligence (AI) anymore. It is cannonballing right in.
- Walmart has rolled out AI super agents across its operations: Sparky for customers, Associate for employees, Marty for suppliers, and Developer for developers. The goal is to simplify experiences and reach 50% online sales within five years.
- Starbucks is deploying AI-driven inventory counting across more than 11,000 stores. Doing so, it has reduced restocking times by eightfold.
- Williams Sonoma has unveiled “Culinary Companion,” an AI assistant that enhances both in-store and digital customer engagement.
Additionally, Walmart has gone further than pilots. It has added two C-suite leaders to embed AI deeply into their core strategy. And now it is going even further. Walmart is partnering with OpenAI to train millions of people in AI skills. OpenAI aims to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, and Walmart is a foundational partner. Beginning in 2026, Walmart associates will gain free access to AI training at scale.
Mass Retail at a Crossroads
Craig Boyan, President of H-E-B, framed it perfectly years ago at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) convention, saying, “Retailers are in a race with digital companies. Digital-first companies are racing to learn how to run a retail organization, and retailers are learning to become digital companies. Whoever wins that race will likely win the marketplace.”
That rings truer today than ever. With AI powering everything from supply chains to customer experience, the race is as real as it gets.
Now, lean in on this: earlier this year, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon reflected on the pace of tech adoption, saying, “This window of opportunity to apply artificial intelligence and become even more tech-powered, while still being people-led, is unique.”
The Exponential Tipping Point
Technology is improving at an exponential pace, not a linear one. AI is growing more powerful month by month. Robotics and automation are scaling rapidly. That means retailers investing mightily, like Walmart and Amazon, are pulling away from the pack. Some others, like Kroger, that have made significant bets on e-commerce, may still be close enough to catch up. However, many traditional retailers will not be able to move fast enough if they hesitate.
The floral industry is at the very same crossroads. Large, consolidated floral growers are in a stronger position to adopt these exponential technologies. Smaller growers and retailers who sit on the sidelines risk being left behind. Even in an industry where gross margins are slim and profits as a percentage of sales are narrow, making the right investments now is critical.
What This Means for Floral Industry Leaders
- For many, AI is now strategic infrastructure instead of optional tools. Retail leaders are not flirting with AI; they are building their business models around it.
- We should match that ambition. Whether it is virtual bouquet stylists, predictive replenishment, AI-driven content, or smarter logistics, retail shows us it is possible and profitable.
- Human-led meaning still matters. AI may run the workflows, but emotion, empathy, and storytelling remain our differentiators. Flowers are not just another SKU. They are joy, connection, and emotion.
For additional information on the importance of AI investment in the floral industry, please read the full article found on the New Bloom Solutions website.
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