According to the "2025 State of the Data Analyst" report, compiled by Alteryx after surveying 280 analysts across retail and consumer goods globally, 93% of respondents said they have experienced a notable increase in the strategic importance of their role over the past year. This trend has been linked to significant investments in AI and automation within the industry.
New research from Alteryx has found that "AI and Analytics Automation" are significantly enhancing the strategic value and job satisfaction of Data Analysts within the retail sector.
The report reveals that 89% of retail Data Analysts attribute an improvement in job satisfaction to the deployment of AI, while 86% believe Analytics Automation has bolstered their roles and helped retailers maintain competitiveness.
A substantial proportion, 92%, believe that acquiring skills in AI and automation is essential for continued career development, underlining the growing importance of data-driven technologies in optimising retail operations. The survey also highlights that 53% of respondents feel AI solutions have saved them time, allowing greater focus on innovative tasks instead of routine processes.
Benefits and expectations;The findings show that over a third (39%) of retail analysts feel that the use of AI has exceeded their initial expectations during the past year. This optimism extends beyond personal benefits and into broader business impact, as automation provides them with more time to develop new ideas and streamline operational efficiency.
Despite the positive impact, the report also outlines ongoing challenges within the sector. Specifically, the majority of retail data analysts continue to rely on older, manual methods for managing complex data. Seventy-seven percent say they still use spreadsheets such as Excel and Google Sheets for data cleansing and preparation, tasks that consume six to ten hours each week for 39% of those surveyed.
The persistence of these processes is viewed as a major obstacle to achieving the full potential and value of AI in retail. Nearly half (48%) of respondents noted that faster problem-solving is a priority, but the time spent on manual data preparation hinders this objective.
This in turn, Potentially limits the agility retailers require to keep pace with shifting market demands and changing customer expectations.
Alteryx's Chief Product Officer, Mr.Ben Canning, commented on the findings, stating:
"PwC estimates that retail technology spending is set to grow by 10% each year to 2028, a significant increase compared to previous years. With so much of this increased spend being channelled into AI, retail leaders can't afford to ignore these findings. Data analysts are emerging as pivotal team members, using "AI and Automation" to build the highly personalised journeys that customers love.
However, friction from outdated data processes risks undermining this progress and making it harder for retail Organisations to realise the full benefits of AI and Automation.
Retailers that Modernise how Data is processed and managed will be best positioned to unlock AI's full potential and gain a critical edge in an increasingly competitive market."
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