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Interview
Instead of fearing AI , we should probably embrace it and know how to prompt it effectively to maximize its positive impact
insights into daily or even hourly trends , including enhanced details of shopper profiles , such as loyalist or switcher consumers , for example . At the location level , inventory data ensures products are well stocked , but not overstocked . We also have solutions to help CPG firms , category advisers and sales teams run root cause analysis for some of the issues they may encounter for out-of-stock or sales inconsistencies , as well as sales performance reporting .
Empowering retail teams
“ With the increased sharing of first party data , we ’ re getting better and better as an industry at putting the right product in the right place , at the right price , at the right time . We ’ re getting better at reacting to certain events . During Covid , for example , we were able to tell our customers the exact location of the first case in each state so they could plan accordingly . The impact of the Taylor Swift tour is another case in point . What happens when Taylor Swift goes to a city ? How do you change the assortments based on that ? It ’ s all about scrutinizing demographics and shopper behaviors . Our solutions enable better understanding of upstream and downstream activities to ensure products are in the right place .
“ Our vision for the future and what we ’ re working on right now is to create a retailercentric ecosystem for each retailer . Alongside this , integrating AI and machine learning into software solutions can enhance decisionmaking and support the changing dynamics of space planning and merchandising solutions . AI could potentially help in many ways . I ’ ve already mentioned the Taylor Swift concert , but another case in point might be the World Cup in 2026 . We know the US will be hosting teams from different countries , and different demographics will be moving from one city to another , which will provide a great opportunity to increase sales . The US is investing billions of dollars in this event and the return will be in increased sales activities . To maximize the opportunity requires advanced analysis of data and probability , as well as an understanding of shopper behaviors and demographics .
“ Instead of fearing AI ,” Haitham elaborates , “ we should probably embrace it and know how to prompt it effectively to maximize its positive impact . It ’ s important for corporate leaders to empower retail teams , category advisors and the sales and supply chain with the right tools and specialized retail analytics solutions to enable them to focus on data analytics rather than management . This should be at the center of any corporate strategy ,” he concludes . “ Rushing headlong into something may not be the appropriate response , but equally , delaying is not the answer .” ■
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