Retailers today face more volatility than ever—supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, shifting shopper behaviors, and macroeconomic uncertainty have become the norm, not the exception.
Yet many teams are still planning with only internal, backward-looking data.
It’s time to look ahead.
The Shift From Reactive to Proactive Retail Strategy
Most analytics frameworks in retail are designed for hindsight. They tell us what happened: last quarter’s sales, yesterday’s foot traffic, last year’s demand patterns. But what if you could see change coming—and adjust in real time?
That’s where external signals and AI come in.
By incorporating variables like:
- Economic indicators
- Weather patterns
- Tariff fluctuations
- Consumer mobility data
…you can uncover early warnings of shifting conditions—and act before your competitors even realize what’s happening.
AI’s Role in Retail Planning
AI helps surface hidden patterns across huge volumes of data. When paired with external data, it doesn’t just explain the past—it illuminates possible futures.
That means:
- Better category planning
- More targeted shopper insights
- Smarter space and assortment decisions
This strategic edge allows teams to move from reacting to yesterday’s data to preparing for tomorrow’s outcomes.
Join the Conversation – Live Q&A with Jason Harper
We’re diving into this topic in our next session of Retail Unfiltered, a speaker series by the Association of Retail and Consumer Professionals.
This session features Jason Harper, founder of Ready Signal—an economist and data science leader with over two decades of experience in AI, analytics, and retail innovation.
He’ll explore:
- How to integrate external data into your current stack
- Why traditional KPIs fall short
- What early indicators matter most in today’s retail landscape
- How to translate insights into actionable strategies
📅 Register now for the live Q&A
Date: May 20, 2025
Time: 12 pm Eastern
Includes: Expert talk + live audience Q&A
About Retail Unfiltered
Retail Unfiltered is a live speaker series hosted by The Association of Retail and Consumer Professionals that explores the trends shaping the future of retail and consumer behavior. Each session includes a 20–25 minute expert talk, followed by an open Q&A.
Topics include:
- Shopper evolution
- Economic shifts
- Omnichannel strategy
- Emerging tech
- Career development in a data-driven world
If you’re a category manager, insights leader, space planner, or retail strategist, this series is your front-row seat to what’s next.
About Jason Harper
Jason Harper, the visionary Founder of Ready Signal, is revolutionizing how businesses harness external data to solve problems they didn’t know could be fixed. With Ready Signal, Jason has pioneered a game-changing approach that slashes forecasting errors by up to 50%, empowering companies to finally grasp the critical impact of market conditions, weather, population trends, and more on their bottom line. Known for his creative problem-solving and knack for turning obstacles into opportunities, he brings over 20 years of trailblazing experience in analytics, machine learning, and AI.
Armed with multiple degrees in Economics and an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Jason fuses technical brilliance with strategic foresight. His innovative spirit has birthed two patented machine learning technologies and a platform that transforms raw, chaotic data into clear, actionable insights—driving efficiency, growth, and smarter decision-making for businesses worldwide.
A recognized thought leader, Jason’s insights have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, MIT Technology Review, Ad Age and more. By balancing cutting-edge innovation with tangible real-world impact, he’s unlocking new potential for companies ready to stop guessing and start knowing.
