Running Supply Inc. is rolling out Relex Solutions’ artificial intelligence-powered platform to strengthen planning and unify operations management across its distribution centers and stores, according to an Oct. 23 press release.
Relex’s platform manages day-to-day ordering using a single demand forecast that accounts for demand drivers such as seasonality and promotions, Bartosz Echolc, account executive for growth at Relex Solutions, told Supply Chain Dive in an email. The platform will also set stock levels and order quantities across distribution centers and stores.
The project, which started this summer, is scheduled to deploy in stages, starting with store forecasting and replenishment, and then distribution center forecasting and replenishment, Echolc said. Those capabilities are scheduled to go live by mid-2027. Pricing and promotion are next on the agenda, followed by assortment planning, and then space and floor planning.
Retail consultancy RetSci is leading the implementation of the Relex platform across Runnings’ network, Echolc said. As a systems integrator, RetSci acts as the project manager, the solution lead and business consultant.
Runnings’ existing ERP system currently has some forecasting, but the company was looking for more AI or machine learning functionalities that its existing system may not have, Terry Kriz, director of information technology at Runnings, told Supply Chain Dive.
“What we've been looking at with Relex is a lot more automated processes, exception-based processes where we're not having to look at every single order or every single thing that goes out the door,” Kriz said. “We can look at more exceptions to the rules.”
For instance, if the system flagged a large, unexpected forecast change, the Runnings team would look at it before placing orders, Kriz said.
The platform aims to help Runnings scale its network without increasing workload, per the release. Runnings sells farm supplies, fixtures, equipment, home and apparel, as well as hunting, fishing and camping gear.
The retailer’s current footprint spans the upper Midwest, the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with 90 stores across 12 states, per the release. Runnings has five distribution centers in its network, including Rome, New York; Marshall, Minnesota; Kentland, Indiana; Pierre, South Dakota; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kriz said.
Runnings joins the list of retailers using Relex’s AI capabilities to unite supply chain operations while boosting visibility in order to make more informed decisions.
Dollar General, for instance, partnered with Relex Solutions to coordinate planning across its network, including store replenishment and ordering schedules. Meanwhile, this year Lowe’s announced it expanded its partnership with the technology company. The home improvement retailer said it planned to combine its in-house technology with Relex’s tools to connect forecasting, replenishment and allocation. Earlier this month, Bed Bath & Beyond parent company Neighborhood Intelligence said it would use Relex’s AI to connect supply chain planning across its stores and distribution network.
