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shelves optimized for sales. If a store runs out of stock on one flavor of a drink, AI can evaluate that specific store’ s inventory and identify the next best option to fill that space on shelves. It also helps retailers make the most of their space by tailoring product placements to fit each store’ s unique layout.
AI-powered algorithms provide retailers with an accurate, real-time view of their inventory, ensuring alignment with merchandising strategies and keeping employees in the loop on their store’ s inventory levels. In today’ s retail environment, where shrink and misplaced items are common challenges, having a precise inventory picture is a non-negotiable to keep up with the uncertainties that come with physical retail.
With retailers facing challenges like store closures, bankruptcies, and evolving regulations reshaping the retail landscape, how can dynamic planograms help them stay competitive?
With retailers navigating store closures, bankruptcies, and evolving regulations, the ability to optimize each location in real-time is critical. For retailers dealing with tighter budgets and fewer resources, AI-driven planograms ensure that every square foot of space is being used effectively, maximizing sales and customer experience while reducing waste.
By using real-time data, retailers can ensure any given store’ s product placement and assortment are driven by demand, not guesswork. Understanding the effectiveness of allocation and assortment strategies helps retailers better prepare for and make decisions about bankruptcies, store closures, and pricing changes. Additionally, as regulations, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions reshape physical retail, having a flexible approach to merchandising allows retailers to quickly adapt. Customizing store layouts and assortments for specific locations also helps stores stay relevant in diverse markets, ensuring a better customer experience and more efficient operations.
How do you see AI evolving in the next few years to further enhance retail merchandising and in-store experiences?
I think AI will become even more intelligent and autonomous, enabling retailers to anticipate demand, personalize product placements, and optimize store layouts with greater precision. It will also play a major role in merchandising creativity, allowing retailers to test and visualize different planogram layouts, promotional displays, and product placements without the expense of trial and error. Also, AI will improve customer engagement through personalized recommendations and interactive displays, creating an engaging shopping experience. ■
Sam
Vise www. optimumretailing. com
Sam Vise is the co-founder and CEO of Optimum Retailing, an in-store experience management platform that multi-unit retailers use to gain the actionable insights needed for better per-store performance.
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