Retail Merchandiser Volume 63, Issue 4 | Page 24

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to drive automation and recommendation systems – is an essential tool in the fight against inflation . It connects big data – every vital point from the shop floor to the stock room to the supply chain , and beyond to live market data – with algorithmic AI , which is able to analyze that data quickly , precisely , and independently . Algorithmic retailing enables the automation of processes and planning through strategic guardrails and thresholds providing a way to smoothly turn a go-tomarket strategy into reality , and intelligently share data between all business units to ensure their alignment .
Deep insights through deep learning
AR is a tool which , once trained and established , knows the important figures more intricately than a human ever could . It aids broad strategic changes , but also enables business adjustments and predictions to be made on a microscopic level , based on data points which may otherwise be missed . It is perhaps the most powerful strategic tool available to today ’ s retail businesses , and a vital solution to the inflation equation .
The ability to free up human bandwidth by , for example , determining the pricing of lowerimpact items through an AI model allows the strategic focus to be put on in-demand items , essential in a high-inflation environment . The CPI is calculated based on the contents of an average shopping basket ; knowing the precise impact of pricing on less critical items may be exactly what is required for retailers to invest in lowering prices on the CPI ’ s staples and keep customers happy .
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