Think you’ve seen everything in New York City? Not quite. On a buzzing afternoon along Fifth Avenue, shoppers froze in disbelief when a sleek humanoid robot strolled into the Hoka sneaker store, tried on sneakers, posed for selfies, and even grabbed a hot dog.
It wasn’t a scene from a futuristic movie it was a bold real world marketing stunt showcasing the potential of AI in shopping, and it left people talking about what retail will look like in the years to come.
A Humanoid Robot in a Sneaker Store: More Than a Gimmick
The robot, Unitree’s R1 branded with KOID, wasn’t just a static displaynit moved, interacted, and blended into the busy retail environment. For many, this was the first time they had seen AI not behind a screen but walking, bending, and browsing like a real shopper.
Investment firm KraneShares orchestrated the stunt to promote its new artificial intelligence and robotics ETF. The message was clear, AI in shopping is no longer a far off dream it’s happening right now, even in places as ordinary as a shoe store.
Retail analyst Jonathan Marks described the scene, When you see a humanoid robot trying on sneakers in a Manhattan shop, it’s more than a stunt it’s a statement. It tells us that AI won’t just remain in factories or labs. It’s coming for our everyday experiences.
Why AI in Shopping Matters
Retail is an industry built on personalization, experience, and efficiency all areas where artificial intelligence shines. Whether through personalized product recommendations online or inventory robots in warehouses, AI in shopping is already reshaping how brands connect with consumers.
The Fifth Avenue spectacle wasn’t only about sneakers. It represented how technology can make shopping more interactive, surprising, and efficient. Customers don’t just want products anymore they want experiences. And AI, especially in humanoid form, offers just that.
Marketing strategist Carla Nguyen emphasized. The KraneShares stunt proved that retail isn’t just about selling goods it’s about capturing imagination. When people see AI in a store, they don’t forget the brand. They remember the experience.
Where AI Is Already Changing Retail
To understand the broader picture, it’s worth examining case studies where AI in shopping is already at work. These cashier less stores use AI driven cameras and sensors to automatically detect what customers pick up, charging them without checkout lines. It’s a frictionless experience built entirely on AI technology.
SoftBank’s humanoid robots have been deployed in shopping malls and electronics stores to greet customers, answer questions, and guide them through promotions. Surveys showed that customers felt entertained but also appreciated the efficiency.
Alibaba has integrated AI into smart fitting rooms, where mirrors suggest outfits based on what customers try on. The technology increased sales conversions and created a more personalized shopping journey.
These examples prove that AI in shopping is not a futuristic concept it’s a tested reality with measurable results.
The Retail Revolution
Industry experts believe the stunt in New York was symbolic of a much bigger transformation. Dr. Emily Carter, robotics researcher at MIT, explained, Humanoid robots in stores aren’t just novelties.
They represent the merging of human centered retail with machine efficiency. The future of shopping will be shaped by how seamlessly AI can integrate into customer service, personalization, and even entertainment.
Meanwhile, retail futurist Mark Eldridge noted, We are at the start of a retail renaissance. AI in shopping won’t replace humans, but it will redefine roles. Staff will focus on high value interactions while AI handles repetitive tasks. The Hoka robot stunt was a glimpse of this transition.
As someone who was near the Hoka store during the event, I can attest to the atmosphere. Shoppers who normally rush past Fifth Avenue storefronts stopped in their tracks.
At first, many thought it was a movie scene or an advanced mannequin. But when the robot bent down to pick up sneakers, people gasped and immediately pulled out their phones.
A mother with her two children laughed as her kids begged for a selfie with the robot. One man shook his head, saying, Only in New York. Another whispered This is the future of shopping.
It wasn’t just about the robot it was about the emotions. Excitement, curiosity, a little unease, but mostly awe. For a city that prides itself on having seen it all, the stunt proved that technology still has the power to surprise.
The use of a humanoid robot in a retail setting raises important questions about the future of commerce. AI can personalize shopping by recommending items, remembering preferences, and even adjusting based on customer mood.
Robots can handle stock management, restocking, and customer queries without fatigue. While AI will take over repetitive tasks, humans will remain essential for empathy driven interactions.
Trust, privacy, and the uncanny valley effect where robots feel eerily human remain hurdles that must be addressed.
Industry watchers believe we’ll soon see hybrid shopping models where human staff and AI-powered robots work side by side, blending warmth with efficiency.
A Cultural Shift
The real takeaway from the New York stunt is not just technological it’s cultural. The crowd’s reaction showed us that people are ready, even excited, to see AI in shopping play a bigger role. What was once science fiction is now a street-side spectacle.
Retailers who embrace AI not just as a tool, but as an experience, will set themselves apart in a crowded market. Just as e-commerce once revolutionized shopping, AI now promises to reshape it once again this time, blending the digital with the physical in surprising ways.
AI in Shopping Is Here to Stay
The sight of a humanoid robot trying on sneakers in New York City was more than a publicity stunt. It was a message about the future of retail. From personalized fitting rooms to cashier less stores, AI in shopping is already transforming how we buy, sell, and experience products.
For shoppers, it means convenience and wonder. For businesses, it means efficiency and innovation. And for society, it’s a reminder that the future is no longer distant it’s walking beside us on Fifth Avenue.