AI-Powered Multi-Channel Demand Planning to Streamline the Retail Holiday Season

Before you know it, the biggest time of year for retail will be here: Black Friday/Cyber Monday, aka holiday shopping. But between tariff policies, tight wallets and teetering loyalty, retailers this year will have to navigate more than just bold discounts and eye-catching campaigns to boost holiday sales—they need reliable multi-channel demand planning strategies. Brands planning smarter will prevail, and combining AI and brand identity will be key. 

Brand Loyalty vs. Bargain Hunting: What Wins Over Today’s Shoppers

According to the Wunderkind 2025 Tariffs Consumer Impact survey, 76% of Americans say they’re willing to switch brands for better prices—consumers are leaving loyalty behind for a 10-20% deal. This cost-conscious generation of shoppers puts concerned retailers in a sticky situation as prices increase and purchasing power diminishes with tariff policies, especially the 66% majority that cannot afford to absorb the extra import costs. 

June saw the first tariff-induced price hikes with goods seeing the highest cost increases in the past five months, with the Consumer Price Index increasing by 0.3%.

“Inflation has begun to show the first signs of tariff pass-through. While services inflation continues to moderate, the acceleration in tariff-exposed goods in June is likely the first of greater price pressures to come. The Fed will want to hold steady as it awaits more data.” - Ellen Zentner, Chief Economic Strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management 

Between wavering brand loyalty and declining purchasing power, retailers are having to rethink demand for the holiday season. 

Enhance Retail Holiday Planning Ahead of the Frenzy

Get ahead of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday frenzy with thoughtful planning.

Holiday demand can be unpredictable, and with ongoing supply chain challenges, even top retailers can fall short with their inventory management—but the era of shopping showdowns is over. Gain a competitive edge with thoughtful planning and smart allocation that minimize inventory risk. 

For apparel and fashion brands, it’s not just about having enough product—it’s about having the right product, in the right sizes, at the right locations. Smart allocation is critical. Thoughtful planning is non-negotiable.

A misstep can lead to missed sales, frustrated customers and excess inventory where it’s not needed. This season, precision in distribution and mindful assortment planning aren’t just a nice-to-have—it's necessary to meet shopper expectations and preserve your tariff-burdened margins. That’s where AI-powered solutions come in.

Multi-Channel Demand Planning: Combining AI and Brand Identity 

The uncertainty and continuously-changing conditions of today’s retail landscape are changing the way people are buying, especially for the holidays. With AI-powered retail planning software informing inventory decisions, retailers can seamlessly blend detailed analytics with merchant intuition and creativity to meet shopper expectations and demands—down to style, color, size.

Combining brand identity with AI enables retailers to deliver a more personalized and consistent shopping experience that aligns with customer expectations. By leveraging AI to analyze customer behavior, preferences and purchase history, brands can produce and stock products that reflect the brand’s aesthetic and align with their target audience. This fusion ensures that every interaction—whether online or in-store—feels authentic and tailored, reinforcing brand loyalty while increasing conversion through smarter, more intuitive product offerings across channels.

To learn more about how AI can help brands and retailers stay ahead of consumers during the busiest time of year in retail, book a demo or email us at info@7thonline.com.