Lowe’s is scaling its use of artificial intelligence to unify and optimize its end-to-end inventory management.
The retailer is expanding its partnership with Relex Solutions, combining Lowe’s in-house supply chain technology with Relex’s capabilities to connect forecasting, replenishment and allocation, Camille Fratanduono, Lowe’s SVP of inventory replenishment and planning, said in an email to Supply Chain Dive. Using a single AI-driven platform will enable Lowe’s to better analyze demand trends as well as manage inventory positions across its network. The retailer initially implemented Relex allocation technology in 2024.
Relex’s replenishment capabilities aim to automate ordering processes to help streamline planning operations, per a March 18 press release from the tech company. The visibility also aims to pinpoint the root cause of stockouts to help Lowe's make more informed decisions across its supply chain.
“That visibility translates into clear, actionable recommendations on where inventory should go, how much to send and when to move it — helping us improve in-stock levels while driving greater productivity across our inventory and delivering for our DIY and Pro customers,” Fratanduono told Supply Chain Dive.
Lowe’s has been working to modernize its supply chain and advance on inventory management efforts. Last year, Lowe’s noted during an earnings call it used AI inventory solutions to support its SKU rationalization plan.
“Where processes were once more static and reactive, we’ll be able to continuously analyze demand, inventory, and network conditions in real time, enabling faster, more precise decisions that improve availability for our customers,” Fratanduono said.
The shift enables the Lowe’s inventory team to focus on “strategic priorities,” including spending more time with its merchant and vendor partners for upstream planning, Fratanduono said. Further, the flexibility aims to help the retailer operate more effectively to serve its DIY and Pro customers.
The next step of the partnership is happening in phases, with full implementation slated for early 2027, Fratanduono said.
Several other companies have also leveraged Relex’s technology to increase inventory management efficiency and visibility. Last year, Guitar Center announced plans to use modules in Relex’s forecasting and replenishment model to better manage distribution centers. Wholesale food distributor United Natural Foods, Inc. also tapped the supply chain planning platform, noting plans to roll out Relex’s platform in several of its distribution centers. Convenience store chain Wawa also partnered with Relex in 2025 to launch a machine learning-based forecasting and replenishment system for fresh foods across its store network.
