As part of the collaboration, updates will be made to Accenture's ai.RETAIL platform which is said to integrate deeply with Google Cloud's capabilities in AI, data analytics, and product discovery

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Google Cloud expands partnership with Accenture. (Credit: The Pancake of Heaven!/Wikimedia Commons)

Google Cloud has announced an expanded partnership with Accenture to assist retailers in transforming their businesses and benefitting from cloud technology.

As part of the collaboration, updates will be made to Accenture’s ai.RETAIL platform which is said to integrate deeply with Google Cloud’s capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and product discovery.

Both parties have also agreed to work together on go-to-market initiatives to offer retailers the technology and resources required to modernise store operations.

Accenture’s ai.RETAIL is an integrated solution that enables retailers to efficiently utilise data and AI to streamline common systems and programmes, including pricing and promotions, customer acquisition, assortment, and supply chains.

Through the partnership, the platform is now extended to Google Cloud’s infrastructure, and is integrated with various Google Cloud products and capabilities.

The new features of the platform include a centralised supply chain analysis, personalised customer experiences, and assortment optimisation.

Accenture senior managing director and retail industry practice lead Jill Standish said: “With shifting consumer buying habits, now more than ever, retailers need to invest in building a digital core—which includes a solid data foundation, machine learning, and AI.

“Powered by cloud, these technologies can help our clients spot trends, make decisions faster, and repeatedly reset the business as the market changes.

“With the best of Accenture’s integrated ai.RETAIL platform and Google Cloud technology, companies can now access products and capabilities to help improve consumer engagement and conversions, and make their supply chain more sustainable.”

Both companies are also partnering to address complex issues that retailers face.

It includes the implementation of intelligence from ai.RETAIL to help businesses streamline their customer, workforce, and storefront experiences, and leveraging other technologies and offerings from both companies.

Google Cloud retail and consumer vice president Carrie Tharp said: “Retailers require solutions that enable them to holistically analyse their businesses and create value across their functional boundaries, but they are often limited by siloed data and legacy infrastructure.

“Through our work with Accenture, retailers can quickly adopt integrated solutions that apply the best of Google Cloud technology and deliver the true benefits of AI and ML, with tools and capabilities that allow them to continuously optimize their business for today’s complex retail environment.”

Last month, Google Cloud launched four new and updated AI technologies to help retail customers in transforming their in-store shelf checking processes.