Just as toy retailers tackle the Christmas list, AI is solving the painful back-to-school shopping list. This is the learning of Bureau Vallée stationery retailer, which after migrating its POS software to the single solution Coqliqo (Shop & Qo) in 2024 and 2025, launched two services for this purpose during the summer. On September 1, a first conversational chatbot appeared on its website in partnership with Algolia, coupled with pre-defined questions located on product sheets and inspired by client queries on high-engagement categories such as ink cartridges, IT products or desks. The chatbot’s AI compares characteristics of all available items to provide a precise response. “In 10 days, we reached a total of 20,000 conversations, with days where e-commerce turnover jumped between up by 35% and up by 40% year-on-year,” Emeric Caramico, Chief Digital Officer at Bureau Vallée, told mind Retail. “However, as this is the back-to-school period, we cannot attribute everything to the chatbot.”
