1、Accelerating progress with targeted advancements in data,platforms,and AI.Competing smarter:Modernizing retail operations in the age of AIIntroductionRetail has become bifurcated.Big-box leaders and digital-first players deploy technology and capital at scale,while most retailers must protect loyal

2、customers and brand equity under tight budget,talent,and time constraints.The lesson from the last two years is that meaningful modernizationupgrading legacy operations to deliver digital-first capabilitiesno longer requires a multiyear replatforming effort.When sequenced well,targeted shifts across

3、 data,core retail platforms,and AI can deliver measurable outcomes in months and help fund what comes next.This playbook outlines practical ways to sharpen decisions and improve speed without large-scale transformation.The focus is on outcomes,with examples throughout to help teams move quickly from

4、 opportunity to execution.Targeted pilots are critical for guiding modernization efforts that deliver results quickly.Data upgrades and platform overlays typically show value within months,while AI can generate a cascade of steady improvements.For example,weve seen this targeted approach help retail

5、ers improve inventory efficiencies by 20 percent,unlock 10 to 15 percent more capacity,and improve margins by 7 percent through AI-driven pricing precision.For these initiatives,starting small is a feature,not a limitation.Pilots are narrowly scoped so that teams can test assumptions and validate im

6、pact before committing additional time or capital.This phased approach reduces risk and builds momentum,enabling organizations to learn,adapt,and fund improvements from early wins.Targeted pilots can help retailers:Improve inventory efficiencies by20 percentUnlock10 to 15 percentmore capacityImprove