How StorePulse AI is transforming diverse businesses with real-time insights

In retail, product returns are often seen as an unavoidable cost of doing business. But with AI, I see them as one of the greatest opportunities for growth. Across U.S. e-commerce, return rates average 17%, and in apparel and footwear they climb to 24–26% -- sometimes even 50% during peak seasons. In 2023 alone, that meant $38B in returned merchandise and another $25B in processing costs. AI is helping us move from reacting to returns to preventing them. Here’s how: - Mining returns data: Using natural language processing to analyze return codes, product reviews, and sales data helps identify exactly why items are coming back—whether it’s inconsistent sizing, misleading imagery, or gaps in product descriptions. - Personalized guidance: AI-powered tools improve product descriptions, offer smarter sizing recommendations, and even use AR/VR to set clearer expectations. - Turning cost into loyalty: When customers feel confident about what they’re buying, they’re less likely to send it back. That means stronger trust and better margins. Returns will never disappear, but with AI, they don’t have to erode profitability. They can actually build smarter, leaner, more trusted brands. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eWH2PhZW #retailinnovation #aiinretail #newmine #productreturns

Great insights Rich! Using AI to mine and understand merchandise returns data is a huge opportunity for all retailers - but especially so for apparel retailers as we head into peak. A McKinsey survey indicated that as much as 70% of apparel returns were driven by fit and style issues. Diving into fit and style misalignments with customers has allowed some apparel retailers to reduce their returns by over 30%. You don't need AI to calculate the impact of a 20% - 30% returns rate improvement at your gross margin line! The potential prize is too big to ignore! Deploying AI tools to understand returns? Great advice - thank you Rich!

Most retailers are still guessing what customers want—but Stitch Fix just cracked the code on AI personalization. They launched "Stitch Fix Vision"—an AI tool that creates realistic images of YOU wearing different outfits in various settings. Think about that for a second: • No more wondering "Will this look good on me?" • No more returns because something didn't fit your style • No more decision paralysis scrolling through endless options This isn't just about fashion. It's about solving the #1 problem in online retail: the gap between expectation and reality. Here's what makes this breakthrough different: Personalization at scale. The AI uses deep client data and stylist expertise to generate images that actually look like you—not generic models. Context matters. You can see yourself wearing outfits on city streets, beaches, or office settings. Because where you wear something is just as important as what you wear. Human + AI collaboration. They're not replacing stylists—they're amplifying their expertise with technology. The bigger picture? We're moving from "one-size-fits-all" marketing to "made-for-you" experiences. Every industry should be asking: How can we use AI to close the gap between what we offer and what customers actually experience? What's the biggest gap between expectation and reality in your industry?

Technology is only as powerful as the humans who shape it. At Shop My Palette, our human + AI colour analysis pipeline bridges data and design — transforming simple product images into intelligent, seasonally tagged fashion data. The process is continuous: AI analyses hue, depth, and clarity; human verification refines the results; and each correction feeds our improvement loop — helping the model learn faster and get smarter over time. This partnership between human insight and machine precision is what makes Shop My Palette different: technology that learns the language of colour. #AIinFashion #FashionTech #SustainableInnovation #RetailIntelligence #ShopMyPalette

I really believe great things happen when retail and technology meet. Retailers understand products, customers, and markets better than anyone. Tech brings the tools, data, and curiosity to test, measure, and learn. Together, they can make smarter decisions — not just faster ones. This morning I was reading results from one of our AI pricing experiments. We tested discount recommendations: with AI and without AI. And it reminded me how powerful the culture of experiments can be. Half of the stores kept doing what they usually do — people decided when to discount and by how much. The other half followed the AI model, which adjusted prices based on demand and stock. At first, the manual group looked stronger. They sold faster. But halfway through the campaign, their stock ran out and the margin dropped. The AI group moved slower, but held assortment longer and finished with higher profit. That’s the beauty of having a control group. Without it, you don’t see the full story, you only see speed, not outcome. Experiments like this show that when retail and tech work together, the result is not just smarter pricing, but smarter retail.

⌛ Just a few weeks left before 2026, and #AI is already at the core of leading retailers’ strategies. What about yours? We’ve all heard the buzz about AI, but which use cases will truly reshape fashion and apparel? Our new eBook, Top AI Use Cases for Fashion & Apparel, helps you find the gold at the end of the rainbow 🌈, highlighting the most impactful, ready-to-deploy applications delivering measurable results today. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside: ✔️ Assortment & Demand Planning – Plan with precision, cut overstock ✔️ Sourcing & Production Automation – Shorten lead times, boost margins ✔️ Auto Compliance Checking – Catch non-compliant products early ✔️ Auto Attribution – Enrich product data instantly ✔️ Auto HTS Classification – Simplify trade with automated coding …and much more! Explore the full set here 👉 https://lnkd.in/erNS7-b9 #AI #FashionTech #RetailInnovation #DigitalTransformation #BambooRose #ApparelIndustry

If you’re wondering where to start with AI in 2026 👇 A great read from the team Bamboo Rose - concrete, real-world #AI #usecases that are already transforming #fashion & #apparel. #AI #Retail #DecisionIntelligence #BambooRose

AI tools will transform SMEs with predictive analytics, low-code solutions, and seamless integrations. #retail #planning #fashion #ml #ai #demandforecasts #forecast #retailplanning #inventorymanagement #unifeiddata

How AI Is Changing the Future of Fashion Retail AI isn’t just transforming tech — it’s quietly reshaping how we create, source, and sell fashion. In an industry built on intuition and trend cycles, AI is bringing something new — clarity and speed. Here’s how it’s already making a difference 1. Smarter Product Development AI tools can analyze consumer data, social trends, and past sales to predict which styles, colors, and fabrics will perform best — before production even begins. Designers get inspiration, backed by data. 2. Intelligent Sourcing Instead of relying purely on relationships or gut feel, AI can evaluate supplier performance, lead times, and pricing trends — helping sourcing teams build more reliable, cost-efficient vendor networks. 3. Dynamic Merchandising AI-driven demand forecasting helps retailers stock smarter — reducing overproduction, markdowns, and dead inventory. It’s not just about selling more — it’s about selling right. 4. Personalized Consumer Experience From AI stylists to curated product recommendations, the shopping experience is becoming more personal than ever. AI helps brands connect taste, data, and storytelling — at scale. 5. Sustainable Operations By optimizing sourcing, production, and logistics, AI can help reduce waste and carbon footprint — a crucial step as the fashion industry moves toward sustainability. AI won’t replace creativity — it will amplify it. The future of fashion isn’t about choosing between art and algorithms — it’s about letting them work together. #FashionRetail #ArtificialIntelligence #Sourcing #Merchandising #RetailInnovation #SustainableFashion #ApparelIndustry #FashionTech #DataDrivenDesign #FutureOfRetail

Imagine a future where AI not only predicts the next shoe trend but also optimizes the entire supply chain to get that trend on shelves faster. For retailers, this isn't science fiction. It's the power of integrating AI analytics into their operations. One European fashion brand implemented AI-driven demand forecasting and saw a 20% reduction in excess inventory in just six months. This ROI is tangible, and it goes beyond numbers. It's about delivering right products at the right time, enhancing not just profitability, but customer satisfaction too. As AI continues to transform industries at a rapid pace, the competitive edge lies in using these tools not just for prediction but for actionable insights that drive transformation. Are we ready to invest in intelligence that aligns perfectly with our business goals? How have you seen AI reshape industry landscapes in your region or sector? Join the discussion and let’s explore where we've been and where we're heading next. #AI #Retail #Analytics #BusinessTransformation #Innovation