Global Research and Advisory The Enterprise Information Technology Research Group has published new research insights to enable retailers to effectively leverage AI amid the evolution of supply chain and inventory management challenges. The company’s resources will develop AI strategies that optimize stock levels, streamline operations and respond quickly to market changes through seven steps for retail IT leaders.
Toronto, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Inventory has become one of the most expensive guessing games in retail. As customer expectations evolve faster than the supply chain can accommodate, retailers often choose between empty shelves and excess inventory. Both erode the margins. In response to these growing industry challenges for the organization and its IT teams, Info-Tech Research Group has announced the creation of retailers’ AI strategies. This is a practical blueprint that will help retailers move from old inventory methods to intelligent, data-driven operations. The new resources of the global research and advisory company outline how industry IT leaders can apply AI to improve forecasting, optimize inventory levels, and provide measurable performance improvements.
The adoption challenge is slowing down AI integration into retail inventory systems
In a recently published resource, Info-Tech reports that despite the clear benefits of AI in transforming retail inventory management, many organizations face major challenges in hiring. The company’s research insights highlights the emphasis on bringing together business stakeholders and developing cohesive AI strategies. It remains a general hurdle, especially when addressing existing inventory restrictions and identifying important gaps. Furthermore, realizing the full potential of AI often requires a mature data infrastructure and advanced system capabilities that not all retailers have implemented.
“AI-driven inventory management applications can be delivered where traditional inventory management is lacking,” said Donnafay MacDonald, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. “By providing real-time insights backed by big data, these applications allow retailers to respond to market changes through forecast forecasts that reduce waste, improve operational efficiency and increase customer satisfaction.”
Info-Tech recommends a 7-stage AI implementation framework for retail IT leaders
Info-Tech offers a clear, step-by-step framework with a practical use case library to support IT and business leaders to overcome these barriers. Blueprint outlines seven key steps to guide retail IT leaders in developing and implementing AI strategies tailored to inventory needs. These include:
Developing AI strategies tailored to business goals. Defines how AI drives key goals, such as enhancing customer satisfaction, reducing costs, and increasing agility, and setting clear success metrics. Establish responsible AI principles. We place ethical, privacy and governance guardrails to ensure transparency, fairness and secure AI solutions. Start targeted AI initiatives. To prove value and build momentum, start with pilots like demand forecasting and auto-filling. Building a use case library. Catalog-specific applications such as dynamic pricing and shelf space optimization with defined benefits, data needs and technical requirements. Evaluation of value and feasibility. Flag long-term projects to estimate ROI, resource demand, and risk for each use case and flag them quickly and flag them. Project prioritization. Ranking initiatives based on impact, effort and risk, teams invest in where they can see the fastest and greatest returns. Mapping AI roadmap. Sequence pilots and rollouts with clear milestones for data preparation, model validation, and performance review.
Infotech advises that by addressing long-standing challenges in inventory management, retailers have the opportunity to adopt smarter and more resilient systems that reflect the reality of today’s retail environment. Evolving pressure is intensifying for IT leaders as competitors already incorporate AI into their daily operations.
The company’s Blueprint offers easy and practical guidance for retailers to implement AI in a way that supports business goals without adding unnecessary complexity. Info-Tech explains that with the right tools and direction, retailers can improve product availability, streamline operations, and respond to changing demand with greater confidence and control.
Contact us for exclusive and timely commentary from retail specialist Donnafay MacDonald, and access to fully build AI strategies for retail inventory management blueprints (Email protection).
About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory companies, serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces fair and highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely and informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with our teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring that organizations have measurable results.
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Source Information Tech Research Group
