Among the many conversations about AI at NRF’s Big Show in New York this year, one theme kept coming up: practicality on the sales floor. Many retailers are now asking more grounded questions about how it can actually fit into day-to-day frontlinework. In this episode of Modern Work Mondays, Nolan and Jeff look at how AI becomes useful when it fits into the tools and workflows frontline teams already use.

How frontline task execution is changing

Frontline tools have not evolved dramatically over the last few years. Most stores still rely on familiar hardware and task management systems built around traditional store tasks, and that continues to shape daily frontline work.

What is changing is how those tasks are supported. Intelligence is being added on the back end to look across systems and signals and assign work more dynamically. Tasks may still appear in a list, but they can also be delivered through connected devices or radios, depending on the situation. This becomes especially important when associates are asked to complete tasks they haven’t done before, as guidance can be delivered step by step using voice or on-device prompts.

Why connected systems matter

As systems become more connected, the impact shows up in execution. Completion rates improve, tasks are finished faster, and accuracy increases.

When signals from inventory, merchandising, or shelf visibility are connected, tasks can be assigned with more context. A missing item on the shelf, for example, can trigger a task and guide an associate directly to the right location instead of relying on manual checks or guesswork. This only works when systems, devices, and communication channels are connected, bringing together data that already exists across the store. The opportunity now is using that information to make task execution faster, clearer, and more reliable.

Turning tasks completion into proof and momentum

As task execution improves, confirming that work was completed becomes just as important. Simple actions like scanning or taking a photo can provide clear proof that a task was completed by the right associate at the right time. This is especially valuable for tasks that require validation or record keeping, removing the need for manual logs or follow-ups.

That proof can also influence what happens next. Visual references like scans or photos can surface additional issues, such as an out-of-stock item or misplaced product. When connected to inventory or merchandising data, those signals can trigger follow-up tasks automatically, routing work to the right associate.

Bringing AI into frontline workflows

Bringing AI to the sales floor starts with delivering it through simple, connected workflows built on the tools frontline teams already know and use. When systems, devices, and communication channels work together, intelligence can run in the background, supporting faster access to information, task execution, and clearer validation without changing how teams work day to day.

Watch the full episode here: