Spanish multi-brand group Sports Emotion has implemented a new AI-driven merchandising platform as it seeks to optimise its in-season inventory and enhance operational efficiency.

Through a partnership with merchandising software platform Nextail, the sportswear leader said the new platform aims to improve product availability across channels and categories, reduce excess inventory, and strengthen margins.

The retailer, which has more than 30 shops in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, said the move will increase real-time visibility, provide advanced demand forecasting, and automate store-level decisions to improve performance and availability of seasonal and continuity products.

The new platform will help teams with intelligent reporting and standardised processes that reduce manual work and support decision-making at scale, it added.

“To keep growing across channels and countries, we needed to evolve how we manage inventory and make decisions,” said Alfonso Lamarca, chief commercial officer of Sports Emotion.

He added that the new platform will improve margins and help the company transform its day-to-day processes.

Originally founded in Zaragoza in 2001, Sports Emotion now encompasses multiple specialised brands including Fútbol Emotion and Basketball Emotion.

The move comes as the wider retail industry increasingly looks to advanced AI and data capture capabilities to boost operational efficiency.

In June, Walmart renewed its partnership with Scandit, a smart data capture company, to continue enhancing the digital integration of its operations.

As part of the expanded agreement, Walmart will use tools and technology to increase the speed and accuracy of existing employee and customer-facing applications.

Last week, Amazon the roll out of three AI-powered technologies designed to enhance parcel packaging, delivery, and supply chain forecasting, as part of its efforts to streamline operations and improve customer service.

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