At Galvia, we see firsthand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the retail landscape. As a proud member of Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), we share the view of REI CEO Jean McCabe, who recently emphasised in the Irish Independent that AI is no longer optional — it’s essential for retailers to stay competitive.
Why AI Matters in Retail
In the article, supported by the payments solutions provider Elevon, Jean McCabe points out that AI is reshaping retail operations, from enhancing personalisation to optimising inventory and improving customer engagement. The key, she says, is that retailers need to embrace AI proactively to thrive in an increasingly complex marketplace.
Breaking Down Silos: The Petstop Example
Retail is a fast-moving, complex business. Petstop, like many retailers, faced a common challenge: siloed data. Sales, fulfilment, finance, and marketing all operated with separate datasets, leading to fragmented decision-making. Leadership often relied on gut instinct or conflicting numbers instead of a unified, factual view of the business. Time was wasted debating data accuracy rather than driving strategy.
Galvia helped Petstop eliminate these silos by creating a single source of truth powered by AI, specifically built for retail. By integrating data across departments, every team now has access to the same accurate, real-time information — accessible anywhere, on phone or laptop. This shared foundation streamlined operational cadence, allowing informed weekly reviews of sales, margins, costs, forecasts, and budgets — without disputes over data accuracy.
But Galvia goes further. Our domain-specific AI models, tailored to each retailer’s data, generate actionable insights beyond revenue tracking. They uncover customer buying patterns, guide merchandising decisions, optimise store layouts, and improve customer communication. In short, Galvia doesn’t just help retailers see their data — it helps them understand it and act on it to create better customer experiences and stronger business performance.
With Galvia as an AI business partner, Petstop gained clarity, confidence, and a competitive advantage. Meetings focus on strategy, not reconciling numbers. Stores are merchandised smarter. Customers are served better. And the business grows sustainably — with data, not guesswork, at the core.
The Competitive Imperative
As Jean McCabe highlights, the question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how quickly retailers can integrate it into their operations. Companies that harness AI effectively are positioned to make smarter decisions, enhance customer experiences, and outperform competitors.
At Galvia, as an REI member, we are committed to helping retailers navigate this transformation. By providing AI solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the sector, we empower businesses to unlock the full potential of their data and thrive in a competitive marketplace.
Contact Galvia today to discover how AI can revolutionise your retail operations.
