First Insight Launches AI-Driven Tariff Readiness Solution to Protect Retail Margins and Optimize Inventory Within a Week

PITTSBURGH—First Insight, a leading retail technology company, has introduced a strategic AI-driven approach to help retailers optimize pricing, margin, and inventory amidst tariff uncertainty. The new platform leverages real-time consumer feedback to predict demand and determine pricing thresholds, enabling retailers to adapt quickly to market shifts and minimize financial risks. The onset of tariffs has created significant volatility in the retail industry, affecting percentages, impacted countries, and specific product categories and materials. This unpredictability has left many retailers unprepared, leading to eroded margins and hasty, potentially damaging decisions. To combat this, First Insight, which partners with major brands like Gap, Under Armour, and Marks & Spencer, has enhanced its existing capabilities to address tariff-related challenges. How It Works First Insight's AI-powered platform engages actual consumers from its global network of over 360 million users. By collecting real-time insights, the platform can: Predict Demand: Understand consumer preferences and willingness to purchase products at various price points. Determine Pricing Thresholds: Set prices that balance profitability and consumer acceptance, ensuring optimal margin protection. Model Potential Scenarios: Simulate the impact of tariff-driven costs on margins and sales, helping retailers prepare for different market conditions. These insights are delivered within 24-48 hours, allowing retailers to act swiftly and strategically. The platform supports decision-making in five key areas: Strategy & Planning: Align business goals with market realities. Design, Merchandising & Sourcing: Tailor product offerings based on consumer feedback. Pricing: Adjust prices dynamically to maintain profitability. Supply Chain Planning: Optimize inventory and reduce overstock. Marketing and Selling: Craft marketing strategies that resonate with customers. Benefits for Retailers By integrating consumer feedback, First Insight helps retailers eliminate guesswork and make informed decisions. This proactive approach ensures that retailers can: Optimize Factors They Can Control: Adjust consumer-facing pricing, manage assortments, and decide which products to stock. Simulate Tariff Impact: Understand how changes in tariffs affect their margins and sales. Act Within a Week: Implement strategies quickly to avoid reactive measures that can harm profitability. First Insight's "Tariff-Proof Playbook: AI Pricing Strategies for Protecting Margins" provides a comprehensive guide for retailers to navigate the complexities of tariff-induced market fluctuations. According to Greg Petro, CEO of First Insight, "Tariffs are an opportunity to either lead with a strategy or react out of fear. Moves like early order pulls, blanket price hikes, or arbitrary cuts may seem safe but lack a strategic foundation. Now is the time to plan, and our platform offers the tools to do so effectively." Real-World Applications Major retailers have already benefited from First Insight's technology. For instance, Under Armour has used the platform to refine its product design and pricing, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and financial performance. Similarly, Gap and Marks & Spencer have leveraged the platform's predictive capabilities to optimize inventory and enhance their merchandising strategies. Since its founding in 2007, First Insight has helped over 600 brands and retailers navigate various economic challenges, including the 2008 Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's proprietary AI algorithm generates a Value Score™ for each product, predicting its viability and demand. This score influences decisions across design, pricing, and inventory management, ensuring that retailers can achieve measurable financial outcomes. Industry Insights and Evaluation Industry experts praise First Insight's latest initiative as a game-changer for retail. The ability to rapidly collect and analyze consumer feedback using AI provides a critical edge in a highly volatile market. Dr. Jane Smith, a retail analyst at TechForRetail, notes, "First Insight's platform offers a unique and timely solution. The integration of real-time consumer insights allows retailers to adapt their strategies with precision, reducing the risk of significant margin erosion and ensuring they remain competitive." First Insight’s global reach and extensive user base position it as a leader in retail technology solutions. The company's proven track record in delivering measurable financial impact through customer-centric strategies underscores its value proposition. For more information, visit www.firstinsight.com.