Bealls optimizes clearance pricing
A regional Southeast off-price retailer is automating markdown decisions based on real-time data.
Bealls Inc. is leveraging the artificial intelligence-equipped Oracle Retail Lifecycle Pricing Optimization (LPO) solution to automate and optimize pricing decisions based on real-time demand signals, inventory levels, regional considerations, and projected lifecycle margin. Prior to using LFO, Bealls relied on time-based markdown schedules that advanced products through fixed discount tiers regardless of item-level performance.
Since deploying LPO in 2025, the retailer says it has increased clearance sales dollars by 25% and reduced its reliance on spreadsheets and fixed pricing calendars. As a result, Bealls says its merchants and planners are now able to focus on strategic exceptions while LPO continuously evaluates item performance and recommends the optimal markdown path.
"Not every item behaves the same way once it enters clearance, and we knew we needed to stop treating all products the same to create better opportunities for our customers and bottom line," said Ron Friese, senior VP and chief AI officer, Bealls Inc. "Oracle Retail Lifecycle Pricing Optimization gives us the ability to make smarter, more prescriptive pricing decisions at the item level which helps us improve profitability and simplify how our teams manage clearance items."
Bealls is building on an established Oracle technology partnership. The retailer already utilizing Oracle Retail Merchandising to provide end-to-end inventory visibility in an effort to support more informed decisions around fulfillment, replenishment and allocation. In addition, Bealls runs the Oracle Fusion Cloud applications for finance and HR.
[READ MORE: Bealls looks to the cloud for inventory insight]
The retailer also utilizes the Profitmind agentic AI end-to-end retail platform to help speed planning cycles, raise forecast accuracy, maximize inventory productivity, and free employees from manual analysis so they can focus on higher-value work.
"The retailers that will outperform in the years ahead are those that can turn data into action faster and more effectively than their competitors," said Jim Kelly, senior VP, North America retail applications, Oracle. "Pricing is one of the most powerful levers retailers have to drive profitable growth, yet too many organizations still rely on static processes and incomplete insights. Bealls' success is a strong example of what's possible when retailers modernize their pricing strategy."
Founded in 1915, Bealls Inc. is a privately held, family-owned retailer based in Bradenton, Fla., with stores under the Bealls, Bealls Florida and Home Centric banners. The company operates more than 660 locations in 22 states.
