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Across the world, a silent transformation is prevailing through retail and consumer businesses. Artificial Intelligence, once a buzzword living on innovation decks, has now moved into the heart of real operations. Whether it’s designing products, forecasting demand, engaging customers, or making split-second supply-chain decisions, AI is now woven deeply into the fabric of modern commerce.
This year’s festive season was a powerful reminder that technology-led strategies have shifted from optional to absolutely essential for sustainable, profitable growth.
McDonald’s: Building the Future of Global AI Innovation in India
As per recent media reports, One of the most striking examples of this shift comes from McDonald’s. The fast-food major recently revealed plans to dramatically scale its AI investments by 2027 and surprisingly, India is set to become the nerve centre of this global transformation.
At a recent industry forum, Deshant Kaila, Head , Global Business Services at McDonald’s, shared that while financial numbers remain under wraps, the intention is clear: the brand is preparing for a future where AI powers everything from customer personalisation to operational efficiency across thousands of restaurants worldwide.
This marks a major leap for a company that built its legacy on fast service and uniformity. Today, it is embracing cutting-edge intelligence to become a tech-enabled restaurant ecosystem, signalling a broader trend of legacy F&B brands reinventing themselves for the AI era.
Trent: Turning to Generative AI to Keep Up With a Fast-Changing Fashion Market
India’s fashion and retail sector is witnessing a similar wave of transformation.
Neeraj Basur, CFO of Trent, described how the company is integrating AI and advanced analytics to rethink how products are designed, curated, and launched.
By adopting Generative AI (GenAI), Trent is now able to:
- Generate automated design concepts
- Track real-time colour and silhouette trends
- Merge trading insights with design decisions every week
- Analyse fabrics, patterns, and consumer preferences at unprecedented speed
This shift has enabled Trent to release market-ready styles more frequently, more accurately, and more aligned to consumer demand. What used to be a support tool is now turning into the company’s innovation engine.
How AI Helped Fuel 35% Growth in India’s D2C Ecosystem
If global brands are experimenting with AI, India’s digital-first businesses are scaling with it. D2C enabler GreenHonchos reported a remarkable 35% growth across its eRetail portfolio this festive season, driven by better conversions, smarter budget allocation, and AI-powered customer insights.
Brands working with the platform witnessed:
- Some of the highest ever daily GMV spikes
- Over 40% festive-season sales coming from first-time customers
- Higher average order values, especially among premium labels
- Gen Z-led brands hitting ₹1 crore monthly run rate within months
Founder & Director Navin Joshua summed it up aptly: “The festive season reaffirmed that intelligent data and performance-led commerce can turn short-term demand moments into long-term growth.”
Retailers echoed similar stories. Mayank Mohan of Mohanlal Sons acknowledged AI’s role in sharper inventory decisions during peak demand, while Raunaq Singh of OffLimits called AI the brand’s “creative engine” for speeding up campaigns and amplifying storytelling efficiency.
The Bigger Picture: AI Has Become Retail’s New Operating System
Across QSR, fashion retail, and D2C commerce, the message is unmistakable. AI is no longer an add-on or a support tool. It has become the new operating system for the entire retail and consumer ecosystem. Brands that integrate creativity with intelligent data and automation are finding themselves ahead—more predictable, more profitable, and better prepared for the future.
And as India emerges as a powerful global hub for AI talent and innovation, the next big chapter in retail transformation is being written right here, shaped by technology, strengthened by insights, and driven by brands ready to evolve.
This article was originally published by the Franchiseindia.com. To read the full version, visit here 
