Optimizing Retail Operations
Optimizing Retail Operations
Optimizing Retail Operations
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Introduc�on
The retail sector is undergoing massive disruption globally from socio-economic
shifts, new technologies, and evolving consumer behaviors. China's retail market has
seen tremendous growth over the past decade to become one of the largest worldwide,
fueled by rising incomes, urbanization, and domestic consumption. Total retail sales
grew from CNY 9.5 trillion in 2009 to over CNY 41 trillion in 2019. Online retail has
skyrocketed, accounting for approximately 36% of total retail sales in 2019, up from
just 3% in 2009. Moreover, the sector is highly competitive, with both domestic and
international players jockeying for market share [1]. Amidst massive growth and
intense competition, retailers in China face increasing pressure to optimize their
operations, inventory management, and demand forecasting. Key challenges include
high inventory costs, stockouts, markdowns, inefficient promotions, and lagging
operational productivity [2]. For instance, average retail inventory turnover is less
than 10x annually, compared to over 15x for global leaders. Out-of-stocks average 8-
10% for electronics and consumer goods, leading to lost sales. Markdown rates can
reach 50-60%, destroying profitability [3]. Overall supply chain efficiency also lags
global counterparts [4], [5].
Big data and artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as powerful technologies to
address these challenges and transform retail operations. By applying advanced
analytics and machine learning to massive amounts of structured and unstructured
data, retailers can achieve orders-of-magnitude improvement in forecasting accuracy,
inventory optimization, supply chain efficiency, pricing, and promotion effectiveness.
Leading Chinese retailers have already begun the AI journey to varying degrees,
redesigning processes and deploying smart applications. However, fully harnessing
the power of AI requires an enterprise-wide transformation encompassing data,
technology, processes, and organization [6].
This paper provides retail executives and practitioners with a framework and best
practices for optimizing operations, inventory management, and sales forecasting
leveraging big data and AI. We present real-world case studies of retail AI
implementations and results.
Figure 1: Supply chain management by domination of one organisation over others. [7]
fine-tune promotional strategies, and streamline supply chain operations [15]. From
demand forecasting and inventory optimization to personalized marketing and supply
chain management, AI applications offer unprecedented opportunities to revolutionize
retail operations, drive efficiencies, and unlock new avenues for growth in China's
rapidly evolving retail landscape. By harnessing the power of AI-driven solutions,
retailers can gain a competitive edge, deliver superior customer experiences, and
position themselves for long-term success in the dynamic and fiercely competitive
Chinese retail market.
and other market variables. This dynamic approach to pricing not only enhances
revenue generation but also improves customer satisfaction and loyalty by offering
tailored pricing incentives and promotions that resonate with individual preferences
and purchasing behavior.
Inventory Op�miza�on
Effective inventory management is paramount in the retail sector, where excess
inventory can inflate costs and stockouts can lead to revenue loss. To navigate these
challenges, retailers are increasingly turning to data science-driven solutions for deft
inventory optimization. Artificial intelligence (AI) inventory optimization solutions
utilize sophisticated algorithms to leverage demand forecasts, customer insights, and
inventory policies, thereby determining optimal stock levels across the network. These
systems take into account various factors such as variable demand patterns, lead times,
product freshness requirements, and service level targets [21]. By analyzing tradeoffs
between meeting service level targets and the risks of overstocking or understocking,
AI algorithms recommend the most suitable inventory postures for both regular
operations and promotional planning [22].
The capabilities of AI-driven inventory optimization solutions are multifaceted. They
include demand-based inventory planning using AI-generated forecasts, multi-
echelon optimization across the retail network, constraint-based optimization engines,
and the ability to target specific service levels while considering cost tradeoffs.
Moreover, these solutions offer functionalities for planning promotions and events,
providing guidance on order quantities, and automating the setting and testing of
inventory policies.
Chinese e-commerce giants have demonstrated remarkable success with AI-driven
inventory optimization, achieving significant reductions in inventory levels ranging
from 20% to 30%, all while improving service levels and margins, according to a
report by McKinsey in 2018. For brick-and-mortar retailers, AI optimization has
proven equally impactful, resulting in reductions of weeks-of-supply by 20% to 40%
and boosting inventory turnover rates to over 12 times for certain product categories,
all while minimizing instances of stockouts [23]. The tangible benefits of AI-driven
inventory optimization include the release of working capital, increased sales revenue,
reduced write-offs due to obsolete inventory, and an enhanced overall customer
experience. The potential bottom-line benefits of these optimizations are illustrated in
Exhibit 4, underscoring the significant value proposition of leveraging AI in inventory
management strategies.
potential revenue and margin impacts of different pricing strategies, enabling retailers
to make informed decisions [25].
One of the key capabilities of AI pricing solutions is their ability to model price
elasticity at a granular level, allowing retailers to understand how changes in pricing
affect consumer demand for specific products or segments. By continuously tracking
and optimizing competitor prices, these systems help retailers stay competitive while
maximizing their profitability [26]. Additionally, AI-driven inventory-based price
optimization ensures that pricing decisions are aligned with inventory levels,
minimizing the risk of stockouts or overstock situations. Geospatial algorithms enable
retailers to implement cluster pricing strategies tailored to specific geographic regions,
further optimizing their pricing strategy for local market conditions. Moreover, these
systems analyze the cannibalization effects across products and channels, guiding
retailers in managing product assortment and pricing to mitigate revenue loss.
The adoption of AI-powered pricing and promotion optimization has yielded
significant benefits for leading retailers, as evidenced by McKinsey's research
indicating 5-10% increases in profit margins and markdown efficiency, along with a
2-3% uplift in sales. Automated markdown strategies help reduce write-offs by
optimizing inventory clearance processes, while promotion optimization drives
substantial sales growth during promotional events while improving return on
investment. When combined, these AI-driven pricing and promotion strategies
contribute to enhanced revenue, margins, and competitiveness for retailers in today's
dynamic market landscape [27].
delivery operations in this manner, retailers can not only improve customer
satisfaction but also realize cost savings through more efficient resource utilization.
Furthermore, AI is not confined to downstream logistics operations but is also
revolutionizing upstream supply chain planning processes. From procurement to
manufacturing to logistics, AI algorithms are being leveraged to optimize various
facets of the supply chain. For instance, prominent manufacturers in China have
reported significant cost savings in supply chain planning, ranging from 15-25%,
attributed to the implementation of AI-driven solutions. Additionally, these AI-
enabled systems have contributed to reductions in inventory levels by 6-12% while
simultaneously enhancing service levels by 4-6%. This highlights the transformative
potential of AI in driving efficiency gains and cost savings across the entire supply
chain ecosystem.
The convergence of AI, advanced automation, and Internet of Things (IoT)
technologies is driving rapid advancements in end-to-end supply chain efficiency. By
integrating AI-driven insights with automation and IoT-enabled devices, retailers can
create agile, responsive supply chains capable of adapting to dynamic market
conditions and customer demands in real-time. This not only enhances operational
efficiency but also enables retailers to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced
retail landscape. As AI continues to evolve and mature, its impact on retail supply
chains is expected to grow exponentially, unlocking new opportunities for innovation
and optimization across the industry. In conclusion, AI represents a transformative
force that is reshaping the retail supply chain landscape, driving unprecedented levels
of efficiency, agility, and competitiveness.
AI Implementa�on Framework
Implementing artificial intelligence (AI) across an enterprise is a multifaceted
endeavor that requires careful consideration of various factors. One crucial aspect of
this process is data management. Effective AI implementation relies heavily on high-
quality, diverse data sets that are accessible, organized, and properly labeled. Data
governance frameworks must be established to ensure data privacy, security, and
compliance with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. Additionally, data integration
and interoperability are essential to enable seamless data flow between different
systems and departments within the organization. This involves creating robust data
pipelines and leveraging technologies like data lakes and warehouses to centralize and
harmonize data from disparate sources [31].
Another key component of successful AI implementation is technology infrastructure.
Organizations need to invest in scalable and flexible IT infrastructure capable of
supporting AI workloads. This includes cloud computing platforms, high-
performance computing clusters, and specialized hardware such as GPUs and TPUs
for accelerating AI model training and inference. Moreover, deploying AI models at
scale requires robust deployment pipelines and DevOps practices to automate model
deployment, monitoring, and maintenance. Continuous integration and continuous
deployment (CI/CD) pipelines enable rapid iteration and ensure that AI applications
remain up-to-date and responsive to changing business needs.
Furthermore, the organizational aspect of AI implementation cannot be overlooked.
It's essential to establish a culture of data-driven decision-making and AI literacy
across the organization. This involves providing training and upskilling opportunities
for employees to develop proficiency in AI concepts, tools, and techniques.
Additionally, cross-functional collaboration between data scientists, domain experts,
IT professionals, and business stakeholders is crucial for aligning AI initiatives with
strategic business objectives. Leadership buy-in and support are also critical for
driving AI adoption and fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation [32].
Lastly, clear governance structures and accountability mechanisms must be put in
place to oversee AI projects and ensure that they deliver measurable business value
while mitigating risks such as bias and ethical concerns.
Data Strategy
Effective data management and governance form the backbone of any organization's
efforts to extract maximum value from its data resources. This entails several key
elements. First and foremost, consolidating data from various internal systems such
as point-of-sale (POS), enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship
management (CRM), inventory, and supply chain into a centralized and scalable data
lake or warehouse is imperative. This consolidation allows for a holistic view of
organizational data and facilitates more comprehensive analysis and decision-making
processes. Additionally, ingesting external data sources such as competitor
information, weather patterns, events data, demographic insights, and economic
indicators further enriches the organization's data landscape, providing valuable
context and enhancing predictive capabilities.
Furthermore, investing in capturing missing data elements, including but not limited
to inventory levels, competitor activities, and customer behaviors, is crucial for
ensuring data completeness and accuracy. This investment often involves deploying
advanced data capture technologies and methodologies to collect real-time and high-
quality data from various sources [33]. Moreover, establishing robust data cleansing,
integration, and preparation pipelines tailored for artificial intelligence (AI)
consumption is essential for enhancing the quality and reliability of AI-driven insights
and predictions. These pipelines ensure that data is processed, transformed, and made
AI-ready in a systematic and efficient manner, minimizing errors and inconsistencies
in the AI modeling process.
In addition to these technical aspects, mastering data management also involves
implementing stringent data governance protocols to safeguard data integrity, privacy,
and security, while ensuring ethical and responsible use of data assets. This includes
defining access controls, authentication mechanisms, encryption standards, and
auditing procedures to mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access, data
breaches, and regulatory non-compliance. Furthermore, establishing feedback loops
and mechanisms for continuously updating and expanding data assets based on
insights and learnings derived from AI models and analyses is essential for
maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of data-driven strategies over time. In
conclusion, with a solid foundation in data management and governance,
organizations can significantly enhance the accuracy, reliability, and business impact
of AI applications and data-driven initiatives.
AI Pla�orm Architecture
Retailers are increasingly recognizing the importance of architecting AI platforms that
can scale rapidly across the entire enterprise. Cloud-based platforms offer a myriad of
benefits, including flexibility, scalability, and accelerated deployment. By leveraging
the cloud, retailers can efficiently manage resources and scale their AI initiatives
according to evolving business needs. Additionally, adopting a microservices
architecture facilitates the development of loosely coupled, independently deployable
AI applications. This approach enhances agility and enables retailers to quickly
introduce new features or updates without disrupting existing systems.
Furthermore, the use of reusable libraries and templates plays a crucial role in
accelerating AI development within the retail sector. These resources streamline the
creation of AI solutions by providing pre-built components that can be customized to
suit specific requirements [34]. Moreover, API-based integration with core retail
systems such as point-of-sale (POS), enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply
chain, and inventory management systems is essential for seamless data flow and
interoperability. By establishing robust connections between AI platforms and
existing infrastructure, retailers can leverage data from various sources to derive
valuable insights and drive informed decision-making processes.
In addition to technical considerations, retailers must also prioritize aspects such as
model robustness, governance, and collaboration. Hybrid AI models, which combine
rule-based and machine learning approaches, offer improved robustness by
incorporating human expertise and domain knowledge into automated decision-
making processes. Furthermore, implementing MLOps procedures for model
monitoring, refinement, and governance ensures that AI systems remain effective and
compliant throughout their lifecycle. Collaboration tools such as data labeling
platforms, model building toolkits, and AutoML solutions foster cross-functional
teamwork and enable efficient utilization of AI resources. Moreover, establishing an
IT-business partnering model promotes technology governance and ensures
accountability by fostering collaboration between IT teams and business stakeholders.
By embracing these principles and adopting a holistic approach to AI platform
architecture, retailers can unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence to drive
innovation and achieve sustainable growth [35].
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