US-based retailer of apparel, accessories, and home goods, Citi Trends, is implementing an AI-powered platform to enhance its inventory capabilities.

The retailer, which operates around 600 stores and distribution centres across the US, has partnered with retail planning solutions provider Invent.AI to modernise its inventory planning and allocation execution strategies.

With this move, Citi Trends aims to optimise stock allocation, replenishment, and markdowns to reduce costs, boost revenue growth, and improve customer experience through increased product availability.

The new technology ensures that the right products are available in the right shops and in the right quantities, reducing management costs associated with overstocking, minimising margin losses, and increasing stock availability.

“We are excited to partner with Invent.AI to transform our inventory management processes,” said Ken Seipel, Chief Executive Officer at Citi Trends. “By embracing AI and data-driven decision-making, we are confident that we can significantly enhance our operational agility, improve our bottom line, and deliver exceptional experiences for our valued customers.”

AI is being deployed across the retail sector for inventory management, making it more efficient and accurate. Several retailers are adopting new inventory strategies powered by AI to reduce costs and increase customer engagement.

In December, US-based grocer The Fresh Market announced it would digitalise signage and inventory management across its US stores to enhance the customer experience.

Through a partnership with IoT and data firm Vusion Group, the American chain of supermarkets will integrate a suite of tools across its 166 locations, including digital shelf labels and artificial intelligence-based data and analytics.

The retailer stated that the implementation of these technologies aims to improve merchandising, inventory management, product quality, and efficiency whilst minimising waste.

In the same month, department store Bloomingdale's also announced it had strengthened its omnichannel customer experience with the integration of a real-time inventory platform that links brand direct-to-consumer (DTC) websites with the US luxury department store’s in-store inventory.

The new technology, rolled out in collaboration with tech firm Lucky, aims to allow shoppers to instantly check in-store product availability while browsing the Bloomingdale's website.

The real-time inventory data platform allows customers to locate, purchase, and receive products on the same day while browsing brand websites.

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