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@article{206252,
        author = {Manaswi and Dr. Anirban Gupta and Dr. Ajay Kumar},
        title = {Use of AI Tools in Small Retail Businesses in Selected Areas of Jharkhand: A Primary Study of Operational Efficiency and Customer Engagement},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {926-933},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206252},
        abstract = {There is a shift in the functioning of every sector due to the emergence of artificial intelligence and its tools. The swift transition of businesses from traditional methods to digitally advanced tools has become a necessity. Initially, these tools were used for the pure purpose of competition in the market, but with time, it is used for the proper and timely functioning of the business. There are areas like Jharkhand where big businesses have adopted the new technology over time, but there are small businesses that struggle with the same. Many socio-economic factors contribute to the situation and limit their potential. This primary study focuses on those businesses and considers areas like inventory management, asset upgradation- finding ways to make the process smooth and efficient. This also studies the effect of AI tools on customers and how it affects them. Customer retention and identifying potential customers can be a major part. This paper studies the impact and utilisation of AI tools ranging from automated programmed systems managing inventory and demand forecasting to AI-driven Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate all the data procured through following several existing works in this field, and structured questionnaire interviews to conclude findings for two dimensions: operational efficiency and customer engagement. The findings suggest that while traditional methods can be difficult to let go of, several digital tools help small retailers too. For instance, WhatsApp messaging-based marketing bots are used to keep track of several things at a time, reducing human errors and speeding the process of supply chain logistics. This explores how personalised AI tools function better for their businesses. During the study, many challenges are also identified, such as initial costs, skill gaps among shopkeepers, adoption challenges, etc. The findings aim to provide a roadmap to actually help tackle micro businesses or enterprises with all the above-mentioned challenges and bridge the gap involving majorly technology through AI tools.},
        keywords = {Artificial Intelligence, Small Retailers, Jharkhand, Operational Efficiency, Customer Engagement, Digital Transformation},
        month = {July},
        }