Pandora transforms merchandising with AI
The world’s largest jewelry brand is leveraging an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to streamline merchandising and planning processes.
Pandora is deploying the AI-based o9 Solutions Digital Brain solution for integrated business planning to support a large-scale digital transformation. Founded in 1982 as a local jewelry store in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora has realized significant growth during the past four years from a strategy based on intensive customer focus and an ongoing transformation of its operations.
As a key part of this enterprise overhaul, Pandora has sought a solution to revolutionize its planning and merchandising global backbone. The retailer selected the o9 Solutions Digital Brain solution because of its integrated capabilities to handle multiple planning needs end-to-end across manufacturing, supply chain, and retail, all on one platform utilizing one data model.
“In today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing business environment it is critical to meet consumers’ needs by having the right product in the right place at the right time,” said Kristofer Löhmos, senior VP, global merchandising at Pandora. “o9’s Digital Brain platform will enable us to transform our planning processes and maximize product availability, as we continue our efforts to delight our global customers.”
“We are very pleased to support Pandora’s journey to digitally transform its planning processes across its supply chain and retail operations,” said Chakri Gottemukkala, co-founder and CEO of o9 Solutions. “As Pandora’s growth continues and its planning needs evolve, the Digital Brain can provide a future-proof solution that will extend into more advanced planning capabilities, such as environmental, social and governance (ESG), that can be incorporated into the company’s planning processes over the years to come.”
Urban Outfitters parent pursues AI-based merchandising
Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN), the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, FP Movement, Anthropologie Weddings, Terrain, Menus & Venues, and Nuuly, is implementing o9's AI-equipped merchandise planning solution, consisting of merchandise financial planning, assortment planning, demand planning, allocation and replenishing capabilities.
With the deployment. Urban Outfitters intends to optimize decision-making by being able to more quickly adapt to trends, seasonality, stock positions, promotions and the unique demand drivers of the different banners in its portfolio. This will include determining the optimal product mix across channels, regions and stores.
In addition, Urban Outfitters seeks to integrate predictive analytics, assumptions visibility and collaboration; as well as utilize advanced allocation and replenishment optimization techniques to proactively position inventory to better meet consumer demand.