AI in Retail Real Estate: The Brick-and-Mortar Comeback

For years, technology has been blamed for taking people out of stores. I believe AI could give them a new reason to walk through the door.

As a real estate operator, I see an opportunity for AI in retail real estate: physical spaces where people can try unfamiliar technology, ask questions, and understand how it fits into their lives. As AI reaches further into robotics, wearable devices, and everyday products, storefronts could become an important place for that introduction.

AI in Retail Real Estate: The Role of Physical Storefronts

Seeing a robot online is one thing. Standing next to one, watching it move and testing what it can actually do offers a different understanding.

The same applies to AI glasses, home devices and other unfamiliar products. Customers may want to know how something feels, how easy it is to use and what happens when it does not work as expected. Those questions are easier to explore when someone is there to help.

There are already examples of this approach. In September 2025, Meta invited customers to book demonstrations of its Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses at select U.S. retail locations. [Meta’s product announcement] shows how a company building advanced technology can use physical retail to introduce it to customers.

I believe this creates room for storefronts where demonstrations, education, and service are central to the experience.

Baby Boomers and the Value of Learning Together

Baby Boomers are an important part of this conversation. People bring different levels of confidence and experience to new technology, and a useful introduction can make a difference at any age.

Research also challenges the assumption that older adults are sitting out the shift. AARP’s 2026 technology research reports that generative AI use among adults age 50 and older rose from 18% in 2024 to 30% in 2025. It also identifies concerns about privacy, trust, and understanding a product’s value. These findings cover a broader age group than Baby Boomers alone. [AARP’s technology research]

Imagine a grandchild walking into a technology storefront with a grandparent and saying, “Let me show you what this can actually do.” They could try a device together, ask a staff member for help, and explore a practical use, such as translation or organizing daily tasks.

A shared experience like that could turn uncertainty into curiosity. It also gives the customer time to decide what is useful and what is not.

What an AI Retail Experience Could Look Like

A successful space would need to make the technology relevant to everyday life. I see three uses that could work together within a storefront or a broader retail destination.

Hands-On Demonstrations

Customers could test devices and watch demonstrations with trained staff nearby. The goal would be to help people understand how a product works before making a purchase.

Classes and Small-Group Learning

Workshops could introduce people to AI tools through practical tasks. Programs for families, older adults, and local businesses could give visitors a reason to return as products and their needs change.

Setup and Ongoing Support

Help with setup, troubleshooting, and privacy settings could extend the relationship beyond the first visit. A place to return with questions may be particularly valuable when the product itself is unfamiliar.

Trust Will Be Part of the Customer Experience

A storefront allows a company to listen as well as demonstrate. Customers can explain what concerns them, what they do not understand, and what would make a product worth using.

That requires staff who can explain both capabilities and limitations clearly. A polished demonstration may attract attention, but useful answers and dependable support are what could build a lasting relationship.

What This Could Mean for Retail Real Estate

From my perspective at Shore Acres Capital, this is a reason to look carefully at how retail space can be repurposed for new uses. Showrooms, learning programs, and service areas could complement the businesses that already bring people to a property.

The real estate still has to work. Access, parking, visibility, flexible layouts, and the cost of adapting a space all matter. An interesting concept also needs an operator with a viable business and a reason for customers to keep coming back.

AI alone will not make every vacant storefront productive. But it could create demand for places where people can experience technology firsthand, with enough time and support to understand it.

Technology helped change retail. I believe AI could help shape its next chapter.