AI isn’t a future trend for Irish retail, it’s already reshaping the landscape. But while the technology is advancing fast, many retailers are still asking the same question: how do we actually make this work in our business?
That’s exactly what we explored in our recent webinar ‘Making AI Work for Retail’, featuring Jean McCabe (CEO, Retail Excellence Ireland), Declan Gallagher (Head of Innovation at Petstop), and Galvia’s Karina Kelly. From streamlining decision-making to unlocking the value of customer data, the conversation offered practical insights grounded in real-world results, not hype.
Here are five key takeaways that you won’t find in your average AI blog:
1. Start With A Business Problem, Not A Tech Trend
Too often, AI projects are kicked off with a vague ambition to “use AI.” Petstop, however, has flipped the script by starting with a specific business challenge and discovering the real value in the process.
“We thought we were going to be solving for an inventory problem in the beginning, but we weren’t. We were solving for a visualisation of getting all the data in one place.”
— Declan Gallagher
By focusing on their biggest friction point, disconnected data, they laid the foundation for everything that followed.
2. You Don’t Need A Tech Team—You Need A Curious Champion
AI isn’t just a data project, it’s a change project. And what it really needs is someone who understands the business, asks the right questions, and keeps the momentum going. Declan didn’t hire a new team. He led the initiative himself.
“You want a champion for change… someone who’s curious, someone analytical. It’s not necessarily a full-time role, but it does take a bit of time to get it up and running.” — Declan Gallagher
“It’s not about being technical. It’s about knowing your customer and your business.” — Jean McCabe
AI works best when someone takes ownership, not just the IT team.
3. Big Wins Can Come From The Data You Already Have
Instead of layering on more tools or channels, Petstop hit pause on ad spend and turned inward, looking to their existing customer data for growth. By using machine learning to segment 200,000 customers, they launched their most successful campaign of the year.
“We turned off the ad spend… instead we used RFM to segment our 200,000 customers… and that campaign gave us our best online sales outside Christmas.” — Declan Gallagher
This wasn’t a leap of faith—it was a smart, data-backed pivot that paid off quickly.
4. Culture Beats Capability, Every Time
AI success doesn’t begin with data models; it begins with mindset. Curiosity, trust, and collaboration made all the difference for Petstop. Having a leader willing to ask “what else can we do?” opened the door to long-term value.
“It starts at the top. You need a curious leader… That curiosity distils into the rest of the business.” — Declan Gallagher
“Retailers are realising they can compete at that level too, it’s not just for the biggest players anymore.” — Jean McCabe
AI isn’t just a tool. It’s a cultural shift, and the right leadership sets the tone.
5. The ROI Is Real—And Often Faster Than You Think
Every retailer asks the same question: “Will this actually pay off?” For Petstop, the answer came quickly. Between cutting ineffective ad spend and improving customer engagement, they saw real financial impact within months.
“It’s helped pay back the return on investment, for sure.” — Declan Gallagher
“It’s a lot easier to engage existing customers with more insights than to acquire new ones. The ROI is there.” — Jean McCabe
And this is just the beginning. Petstop believes they’ve only tapped into 10% of what’s possible with their AI model so far.
AI isn’t about replacing people or overhauling everything at once, it’s about solving real problems better and faster, using the data you already have. As Petstop’s journey shows, the most important step is the first one: start with a clear problem, appoint a curious champion, and stay focused on impact. Whether you’re looking to reduce costs, re-engage customers, or finally connect all your systems, AI can help you get there. You just need to start asking the right questions.
Ready To See What’s Possible?
Galvia is already helping teams at organisations like Petstop uncover hidden efficiencies, improve reporting, and make smarter decisions.
If you’re ready to turn disconnected data into real business value, we’re here to help you start small, scale quickly, and bring your team along for the journey.
Book a call with Galvia today and discover how AI can work for your business, too.
Click here to watch the webinar in full.
