Target rolls out GenAI-powered Store Companion chatbot to stores chainwide
Target Corporation · United States
Target announced plans to roll out Store Companion, a generative AI chatbot built by its in-house technology team, to team members at all of its nearly 2,000 stores by August 2024. The tool is designed to answer store team members' on-the-job process questions, coach new hires and support store operations. As of the June 2024 announcement, Target was piloting the tool at about 400 stores, using pilot-team feedback to improve the experience ahead of the planned chainwide rollout, following an initial testing phase to planned rollout in just six months.
Overview
Target announced plans to roll out Store Companion, a generative AI chatbot built by its in-house technology team, to team members at all of its nearly 2,000 stores by August 2024. The tool is designed to answer store team members' on-the-job process questions, coach new hires and support store operations. As of the June 2024 announcement, Target was piloting the tool at about 400 stores, using pilot-team feedback to improve the experience ahead of the planned chainwide rollout, following an initial testing phase to planned rollout in just six months.
The challenge
Target sought new ways to make its store team members' jobs easier, help them work more quickly and efficiently, and enhance the guest shopping experience through technology.
The solution
Store Companion is a GenAI-powered chatbot designed by Target's in-house technology team that can answer on-the-job process questions, coach new team members, and support store operations management. It is available as an app on team members' specially equipped handheld devices, providing immediate answers to questions like how to sign up a guest for a Target Circle Card or restart the cash register during a power outage. The team built the tool using real frequently asked questions and process documents from store teams across the U.S.
Reported business value
Store Companion is designed to make daily tasks easier for team members and free up their time and attention to serve guests. Early feedback from the roughly 400-store pilot indicates the tool is positively impacting team members' daily work, streamlining day-to-day tasks and adding more time for guest interactions.
Sources
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