Summary
AI tools are available that can now pull your sales data, build your weekly trade pack and even tell you which lines need attention. But someone still has to decide whether the information is right.
In this episode, Elisabeth shares her feedback on a recent AI merchandising webinar and an interview she gave to a fashion buying student. She looks at where the real value is for buying and merchandising teams, and highlights the risk that comes when the answer that looks right, and the overwhelm that comes with too much data.
Points covered
• What AI trade packs, agents and sales tools can do
• Why AI cannot build your range for you
• Why trend platforms are not crystal balls
• How a report can be accurate and still misleading
Five checks to make before you act on any report
1. Check the definition: gross or net, with or without tax, before or after returns.
2. Ask what the report doesn't include: deliveries, supplier delays, fit, store layout, promotions, weather.
3. Check it against something real: the website, a store, customer reviews, the supplier.
4. Weigh the risk if the recommendation is wrong.
5. Make sure you can explain the decision in your own words.
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Online Learning
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