Introduction
In today’s competitive e-commerce space, merchandisers face the same challenge as retail store visual merchandising—capturing attention and driving sales. Customers expect fast, personalised shopping, while businesses demand higher conversions and lower bounce rates. Traditional tools often fall short, but ExpertRec’s Merchandising Suite combines AI and real-time search to give merchandisers control, speed, and automation. In this blog, we’ll explore three features that make merchandising smarter and more effective.
This is where ExpertRec’s Merchandising Suite steps in. Built on the foundation of AI and real-time search technology, ExpertRec gives merchandisers both automation and control. Instead of juggling manual catalogue updates or waiting weeks for IT support, merchandisers can instantly shape storefronts, launch campaigns, and optimise product visibility.
In this blog, we’ll explore three new features designed specifically for merchandisers—tools that improve speed, accuracy, and flexibility, while directly impacting conversions.
1. AI Merchandising: Smarter Automation at Scale
Large product catalogues can overwhelm even the most experienced merchandisers. Imagine trying to manually adjust rankings for thousands—or even millions—of products every week. The process is not only inefficient but also prone to human error.
ExpertRec solves this with AI-driven merchandising, also known as Autopilot Mode. This feature uses machine learning to analyse shopper behaviour, search intent, and sales velocity to determine which products are most likely to convert.
- High-performing products get more visibility, appearing higher in search results and category pages.
- Underperforming items are automatically de-prioritised, freeing space for products that better align with customer demand.
- Seasonal and trend shifts are detected automatically, so your storefront stays relevant without constant manual adjustments.
For example, during the holiday season, AI can automatically boost products tagged as “gifts” or “holiday specials” as they start trending. Similarly, if a product suddenly gains traction due to social media buzz, ExpertRec ensures it quickly surfaces at the top.
Why this matters:
- Reduces repetitive, manual work for merchandisers.
- Ensures your storefront always reflects real customer behaviour.
- Keeps your catalogue fresh and relevant, driving higher conversions.
2. On-Site Banners: Dynamic Promotions Within Search and Listings
Merchandising isn’t just about product placement—it’s also about storytelling. Promotions, seasonal launches, and sales events are key to engaging customers and driving urgency. But traditionally, adding promotional content into search results or category pages requires developer intervention, which slows down execution.
With ExpertRec’s On-Site Banners, merchandisers can insert promotional banners directly into search results and product listing pages—no coding required. Whether it’s a flash sale, seasonal discount, or a new product launch, banners ensure shoppers see timely, contextual promotions as they browse or search.
Use Cases for On-Site Banners:
- Highlight seasonal promotions like Black Friday or Diwali sales.
- Promote new product launches directly within search results.
- Draw attention to high-margin or slow-moving products.
- Create urgency with limited-time offers visible alongside product grids.
The beauty of this feature is its speed and control. Merchandisers can launch or update campaigns in minutes rather than weeks, ensuring agility in fast-moving retail environments.
Why this matters:
- Eliminates reliance on IT or web developers.
- Boosts click-throughs by placing promotions exactly where customers are searching.
- Creates unified campaigns across search, category pages, and promotional hubs.
3. Live Indexing: Real-Time Accuracy for Seamless Shopping
Few things frustrate customers more than clicking on a product only to find it out of stock or priced differently than advertised. Inaccurate product data not only damages trust but also leads to lost sales and higher bounce rates.
That’s why ExpertRec introduced Live Indexing, a feature that keeps your catalogue synchronised in real time. As soon as inventory levels, product descriptions, or pricing changes in your backend system, those updates instantly reflect on the storefront.
This is especially valuable during flash sales, high-volume campaigns, or peak shopping seasons. Whether you’re running a “50% off clearance” or managing thousands of SKUs, customers always see the most accurate product data.
Benefits of Live Indexing:
- Eliminates customer frustration from outdated data.
- Reduces abandoned carts caused by stock issues.
- Builds trust by ensuring product information is always correct.
- Keeps your site competitive during time-sensitive campaigns.
Imagine running a flash sale on sofas and realising that prices or stock levels aren’t updating in real time. With Live Indexing, you avoid those pitfalls—customers see accurate pricing and availability at every step, leading to smoother checkout experiences and higher conversions.
Beyond Features: A Smarter Merchandising Philosophy
What makes these features powerful isn’t just their functionality—it’s how they work together to empower merchandisers. Instead of operating in silos, ExpertRec’s suite provides:
- Automation + Control: Let AI handle repetitive tasks while merchandisers make strategic adjustments.
- Speed + Flexibility: Launch campaigns in minutes instead of weeks.
- Accuracy + Trust: Deliver consistent, reliable experiences to every customer.
This combination ensures that your merchandising strategy isn’t just about displaying products—it’s about shaping personalised, dynamic shopping journeys that boost both engagement and revenue.
The Tangible Benefits for Retailers
Retailers adopting these three features often report:
- Higher Conversions: Relevant products and timely promotions lead to faster purchases.
- Improved Retention: Personalised experiences encourage repeat visits.
- Optimised Inventory: Boost rules and AI-driven visibility help move strategic products.
- Reduced Developer Dependence: Merchandisers act independently, with fewer IT bottlenecks.
- Faster Campaign Execution: Promotions can go live in minutes.
In fact, industry benchmarks suggest that optimised internal search and merchandising can drive up to a 30–45% lift in conversions when compared to static, manual systems. ExpertRec’s customers have reported similar gains, especially during seasonal campaigns.
Conclusion
Merchandising today is about more than arranging products—it’s about creating dynamic, customer-first experiences that drive loyalty and revenue. With AI Merchandising, On-Site Banners, and Live Indexing, ExpertRec equips merchandisers with the agility, intelligence, and control they need to succeed in a fast-changing retail environment.
These three features give merchandisers the tools to act quickly, optimise storefronts with confidence, and deliver seamless experiences that customers love. In short, ExpertRec helps transform browsers into buyers—and first-time shoppers into repeat customers.
