PHILADELPHIA — Invent.ai, a connected AI-decisioning platform for end-to-end retail planning, hosted its annual Retail AI Leaders Summit on October 14–15 in New York City. The event brought together retail executives for candid discussions on the practical applications of AI in retail planning, demand responsiveness and operational execution.
Through retailer-led presentations, executive panels and roundtables, participants discussed how AI is helping teams improve inventory decisions, reduce manual processes and respond faster to changing business conditions. Conversations also addressed the importance of organizational alignment, explainability and human oversight in building trust in AI.
"Retailers have invested heavily in forecasting and analytics, but knowing what's going to happen is only part of the equation," said Gurhan Kok, Founder and CEO of invent.ai. "The real opportunity is in what happens next. Retailers need to identify changes, understand what's driving them and act while there's still time to improve the outcome."
Retailers shared firsthand experiences applying AI across the planning lifecycle. A specialty retailer discussed how weather-driven demand requires teams to adjust replenishment and allocation as conditions change, while a growing jewelry retailer highlighted the importance of explainable recommendations in building trust and encouraging adoption. Executives from fashion, apparel and sporting goods retailers also explored how AI can improve coordination across departments and support more consistent decision-making.
The summit also explored the role of AI agents in moving retailers from analysis to execution. Invent.ai demonstrated how Remi, its built-in AI agent, continuously monitors performance, identifies opportunities, explains recommendations and brings suggested actions to the appropriate decision-makers. Working alongside invent.ai's forecasting and optimization models, Remi helps teams test potential changes and carry approved adjustments into subsequent planning runs.
"AI should do more than tell a retailer that inventory is in the wrong place or that demand has changed," added Kok. "It should investigate the issue, evaluate the options and bring the right action to the right person. That's how retailers can make faster decisions without giving up control."
The event reinforced the importance of measuring AI adoption through business outcomes, including improved product availability, reduced excess inventory, stronger margins and faster execution. It also provided an opportunity for retail leaders to exchange experiences and discuss how to integrate AI into everyday operations.
For more information about the 2026 Retail AI Leaders Summit, visit https://www.invent.ai/summit-fall-2026.