Retailers Turn to AI and Automation to Tackle 2024 Holiday Challenges

October 4, 2024

As the 2024 holiday season approaches, retailers are significantly focused on improving inventory management and understanding evolving consumer behavior to ensure a smooth shopping experience. Recent data from the 2024 Supply Chain Confidence Survey by Manhattan Associates indicates that, despite 87.2% of retailers implementing measures to guarantee the availability of trending products, 38.8% still cite adequate inventory as their leading concern. The situation has been further complicated by a recent port strike, making inventory management an even more critical issue. Retailers are gearing up to manage last-minute order surges, with 82.4% making detailed plans and 70.9% specifically boosting in-store inventory.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a crucial role in these efforts, with 80% of retailers leveraging AI to enhance inventory management, demand forecasting, and customer service. Even more telling is that 60.8% of these retailers are incorporating generative AI into their supply chain strategies. Moreover, over 61% have recently invested in new technologies to boost supply chain efficiency, although only 11.2% have reported issues with inventory visibility. This demonstrates a strategic pivot towards technology-driven solutions aimed at mitigating supply chain disruptions and ensuring that inventory levels meet consumer demand during the holiday season.

Rising Costs and Labor Adjustments

In addition to grappling with inventory management concerns, retailers are also preparing for increased costs driven by inflation and rising shipping expenses. According to the survey, seven out of ten retailers are anticipating higher operational costs for the 2024 holiday season. This economic environment has forced many retailers to reconsider their staffing models; over 43% plan to hire fewer seasonal employees compared to last year, and 68.4% now consider holiday hiring to be a low priority. To bridge the gap, 34.8% of retailers are turning to automation to handle tasks traditionally performed by seasonal workers.

These adjustments are reflective of broader trends in the retail industry, where automation technologies are being increasingly adopted to drive efficiency and cut operational costs. Automation not only helps in maintaining service levels during peak shopping seasons but also allows retailers to operate with a leaner workforce. By integrating automated solutions, retailers can redirect human labor to more strategic roles that require direct customer interaction, thus balancing technology and the need for a personalized shopping experience. The dual focus on cost management and automation presents a complex yet promising strategy for navigating the financial pressures of the 2024 holiday season.

Consumer Sentiment and Shopping Behavior

Consumer sentiment is another critical aspect shaping the retail landscape this holiday season. The survey reveals that 93% of consumers report experiencing moderate to severe impacts due to recent price increases, with nearly 68% believing that inflation is worsening. These financial pressures are shaping holiday shopping plans significantly; while 74.6% of consumers anticipate spending more money on gifts, 60% plan to purchase fewer items overall. This indicates a rise in consumer caution, with many seeking cheaper alternatives and waiting for sales to make their purchases.

Interestingly, 57% of consumers are actively looking for cheaper alternatives, and 52.2% plan to wait for sales to make more budget-friendly purchases. Additionally, 39.6% of consumers intend to start their holiday shopping earlier to spread out costs, with a noticeable 26.2% planning to begin as early as October. This shift not only allows consumers to better manage their finances but also provides retailers with a longer window to manage stock levels and forecast demand more accurately.

The Role of E-commerce and Technology in Shopping

As the 2024 holiday season nears, retailers are zeroing in on better inventory management and understanding shifting consumer behavior to ensure smooth shopping. According to the 2024 Supply Chain Confidence Survey by Manhattan Associates, 87.2% of retailers have taken steps to make sure trending products are available, yet 38.8% still cite adequate inventory as their top concern. This issue is worsened by a recent port strike, upping the stakes for inventory control. Retailers are also preparing for last-minute order surges, with 82.4% creating detailed plans and 70.9% increasing in-store stock.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial in these efforts, with 80% of retailers using AI for inventory management, demand forecasting, and customer service. Notably, 60.8% are integrating generative AI into their supply chain strategies. Furthermore, over 61% have recently invested in new technologies to improve supply chain efficiency, though just 11.2% have struggled with inventory visibility. This shift towards tech-driven solutions aims to minimize supply chain hiccups and ensure that inventory levels meet consumer demand during the busy holiday season.

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