The new reality of retail
Retail has always been about balancing supply and demand, but the stakes have never been higher than they are today. The rise of omnichannel shopping has created new expectations for convenience and accuracy: customers want the ability to buy anywhere, receive anywhere, and return anywhere. At the same time, retail margins are under pressure from inflation, labor shortages, and rising logistics costs.
The one factor that underpins every successful strategy in this landscape is data. Omnichannel fulfillment, AI powered merchandising, dynamic pricing, and personalized marketing all depend on having accurate, trustworthy, and timely information. Without reliable data, even the most advanced systems and strategies crumble.
Why data quality matters more than ever
Many retailers today are attempting to modernize without addressing the foundational issue of data quality. It’s not enough to have connected systems; those systems must be fed by real, accurate insights into inventory, demand, and customer behavior.
Consider the common pitfalls:
- A customer orders online, only to discover the item isn’t actually in stock.
- Stores carry surplus inventory that ties up capital and ends up discounted.
- Fulfillment promises are broken because warehouses don’t have accurate visibility.
Each of these failures traces back to poor data. In fact, the IHL Group estimates stock mismanagement alone cost retailers $1.77 trillion1 globally last year.
The challenge of omnichannel fulfillment
Nowhere is data more critical than in omnichannel fulfillment. Customers expect retailers to offer click and collect, ship from store, home delivery, and flexible returns seamlessly across channels. Yet these promises are only possible if the retailer has a single, reliable view of stock.
For many, this remains elusive. Traditional stock counts are labor intensive, error prone, and quickly outdated. Warehouses often rely on manual audits that only capture a partial snapshot. Stores depend on staff who may not have the time or tools to ensure stock accuracy. The result? Blind spots that ripple across the entire customer journey.
Building the foundation with Dexory
This is where Dexory provides a new approach. The autonomous robots capture data continuously and at scale, scanning tens of thousands of locations per hour across warehouses, fulfillment centers, and distribution hubs. This data feeds directly into a digital twin - a live, virtual replica of your operations - that updates in real time.
The impact is huge. Instead of relying on periodic audits, retailers gain visibility into what they have, where it is, and how it is moving. Integrating this intelligence into existing systems ensures that every part of the retail operation; from the e-commerce site to the store floor to the logistics network, is working from the same accurate, trusted data source.
Unlocking intelligent retail operations
Once retailers have this foundation in place, new possibilities open up. Accurate, high quality data enables intelligent operations that are agile, resilient, and customer focused.
- Omnichannel fulfillment with confidence: Real-time visibility ensures accurate promises to customers, minimizing cancellations and stockouts.
- AI powered merchandising: Predictive tools can adjust replenishment, pricing, and product placement based on live demand signals.
- Peak season readiness: Automated data capture prepares retailers to adapt quickly to seasonal surges, ensuring the right stock is in the right place at the right time.
- Reduced waste and better space utilization: With a clearer picture of inventory, retailers optimize storage, reduce overstock, and improve sustainability outcomes.
The future of retail is data-led
The retail industry is at a turning point. Technology adoption is accelerating, customer expectations are rising, and margins are under strain. Success in this environment doesn’t start with the latest AI tool or fulfillment platform - it starts with data.
This is the cornerstone on which intelligent retail operations are built. If your data isn’t ready, your retail operation isn’t ready to compete. The winners in the next era of retail will be those who can see clearly, act decisively, and deliver seamlessly.
