Blue Yonder is committed to helping its customers face the unexpected. To provide insights into the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and its impact on supply chains around the world, we are delivering a blog series to help anyone looking for support and advice. Our experts, who have spent years in the supply chain industry, share their insights.

While the COVID-19 global pandemic is unprecedented, it has only exacerbated an already unpredictable demand environment for apparel retailers. Current events have dramatically revealed the weaknesses in retailers’ forecasting, planning and execution models. These events have also emphasized the need for a new way of doing business. But what exactly should retailers do? How can they manage continuing uncertainty?  

The answer lies in applying advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to increase visibility, support deeper analysis, and foster end-to-end supply chain collaboration. Apparel retailers also need to capitalize on the promise of autonomous decision-making, fueled by AI, to respond to fast-changing conditions in real-time – cutting the response cycle from weeks to days when disruptions occur. To learn more about how AI can help apparel retailers, read our new white paper here.