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ToolsGroup Launches Integrated In-Season Retail Inventory Optimization Solution

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, today announced the launch of their In-Season Inventory Optimization Solution, an integrated suite of tools in the greater JustEnough retail planning and execution suite. This solution combines the award-winning JustEnough Allocation and Replenishment products with rebalancing and markdown optimization powered by EvoAI’s quantum analytics and Inventory HUB’s zero latency inventory tracking. “Retailers today need an integrated solution that is agile enough to adapt to even the smallest changes in demand.” said Sahil Gupta, Chief Product Officer at ToolsGroup “With cutting-edge AI driven forecasting and inventory optimization accessing real-time views of inventory, demand and operations, retailers can ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time at the right price to maximize profit no matter what happens.” Working capital constraints are hitting retailers hard just as inventory-to-sales ratios are reaching their highest-ever levels. No retailer can afford to misallocate or cut margins on that inventory, yet they are navigating unprecedented market uncertainty entering 2024. In-Season Inventory Optimization allows retailers to respond quickly to reality, sensing and adjusting to changes in demand in real time to maximize profits regardless of emerging challenges. Core Benefits of In-Season Inventory Optimization: Minimal missed sales at the lowest possible cost through intelligent allocation that puts the right products on the right channels for higher inventory turns Real-time, store/item/size-level replenishment that adapts to even the smallest signals of changing demand from social trends to weather Fewer stockouts and minimal end-of-season waste thanks to full inventory visibility and optimization More sales with less inventory on hand as stock is dynamically moved across the network to where it will sell fastest Up to a 5.5pp increase in in-season margins through increased full-price sell-through and optimized markdowns “Retailers today must be able to thrive, not just survive, amidst certainty,” said Inna Kuznetsova, CEO of ToolsGroup. “That’s why we’ve launched In-Season Inventory Optimization with sophisticated quantum analytics that can sense even the smallest changes in customer demand in real time and instantly adjust strategy to maximize profits. This agility translates to optimal financial outcomes in even the most difficult markets.” ToolsGroup In-Season Inventory Optimization Solution is an integral part of the trusted JustEnough solution. JustEnough has long delivered unparalleled value and results to retailers around the world. With over 400 customers located in 45 countries, ToolsGroup enables intelligent real-time decision-making that transforms retail planning and execution. Customers report a 5% improvement in revenue growth on top of double-digit reductions in missed sales. Built-in automation cuts the planning workload by up to 90% and helps companies reduce waste by up to 30%. We’re excited to talk to you about our new In-Season Inventory Optimization solution. If you’re here in New York City this week at NRF, come talk to us about it at ToolsGroup’s Booth: 3948. Interested in how JustEnough can help you meet and exceed your in-season inventory and margin goals? Read more HERE. About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

January 15, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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NRF 2024: Shekel Unveils Sentinel, a Next-Gen Loss Prevention Product for Scan & Go Retail

Shekel Scales

Shekel Scales (ASX: SBW), the world’s leading supplier of weight-based security modules for the various self-check-out tracks, unveiled Sentinel, an easily retrofitted in-store product that enables accurate Scan & Go and prevents loss for self-shopping applications. This innovative product marks a significant advancement in self-shopping checkout security, revolutionizing in-store technology implementation with cost-effective retrofitting capabilities. Sentinel transforms existing retail shelf-racks into intelligent bays, enabling traditional grocery stores to seamlessly transition to self-shopping environments at a fraction of the usual cost. This addresses critical retail challenges such as shrinkage and loss prevention, which have hindered the growth of Scan & Go and mobile-checkout options, despite their popularity and the clear benefits it offers to both retailers and consumers. Equipped with high-definition load sensors and an AI-driven security module, Sentinel discretely installs and operates at the base of existing store shelves, detecting and analyzing every interaction between shoppers and products. This system ensures that items taken from shelves correspond with those scanned by shoppers, effectively reducing incidences of mis-scanning and theft. The result is a significant decrease in shrinkage and labor costs, while offering customers a streamlined and error-free shopping experience. "Sentinel represents a paradigm shift in the retail market," said Nir Leshem, CEO of Shekel. "It overcomes the barriers limiting self-shopping to smaller markets, enabling expansion at a substantially lower cost. Our system integrates effortlessly into existing retail infrastructures, enhancing both operational effectiveness and customer experience.” In addition to Sentinel, Shekel will showcase its range of security scale-up modules at NRF 2024, booth #1560. These include solutions for self-checkout, smart cart, and smart cooler, all designed to enhance the shopping experience and operational effectiveness in retail settings: Self-Checkout Kit: Offers real-time product validation and a new AI security layer, minimizing false alarms and shrinkage. Smart Cart Scale-Up Kit: Implements weigh-in-motion technology for a more intuitive shopping process. Cooler Scale-Up Kit: Enhances fresh food offerings with remote monitoring and control, aimed at increasing sales and profitability. Shekel’s Cooler Scale-Up kits are available for retail fridges as well as for vending-like unattended micro-markets. Each module from Shekel is non-intrusive, crafted to upgrade existing store equipment, and focused on optimizing both the checkout process for customers and security for retailers. About Shekel Scales Shekel Scales is an innovative leader at the cutting edge of the global digital weighing industry for the past five decades. The company’s advanced weighing technologies are installed in nearly one million retail points of sale around the globe. Shekel developed the patented “Product Aware Technology,” which delivers a unique combination of sophisticated software, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced algorithms. This technology is embedded in a range of products used in the retail, medical and industrial markets. Based in Israel, Shekel has worldwide offices and manufacturing facilities. To learn more, please visit https://shekelonline.com/ and follow the company on LinkedIn. Contact Details Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://shekelonline.com/

January 14, 2024 08:18 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Kappahl Selects ToolsGroup to Support Its Thriving and Growing Fashion Brand

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is proud to announce it has been selected by Kappahl, a leading fashion chain in the Nordics, to drive better planning decisions, supporting and accelerating its business growth. Kappahl is a leading retail chain across Northern Europe. With approximately 340 brick-and-mortar stores and a bustling ecommerce site, the retailer offers responsibly-produced, everyday fashion to customers in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, and the UK. The company is committed to offering sustainable fashion choices to its expanding customer base through more efficient business practices strengthened by the most powerful retail planning technology. “At Kappahl, we aim to provide ethically produced, fashionable clothes to customers throughout our region and beyond,” said Caroline Ahlberg, Vice President Kappahl Assortment and Marketing. “We knew we needed to adopt more effective and scalable business practices and planning solutions to maintain our momentum in the accelerating retail environment. In ToolsGroup, we found a long-term partner who could provide the expertise and solutions to support our constantly evolving supply chain network and drive the digital transformation necessary for customer satisfaction and future business growth.” Kappahl selected ToolsGroup’s JustEnough Dynamic Retail Planning & Execution suite. This solution integrates Merchandise Financial Planning (MFP) and Assortment Planning (AP) with Kappahl’s existing technology stack. MFP enables the retailer to create dynamic plans across buying seasons throughout its omnichannel ecosystem and align departments on financial objectives. AP determines the optimal product mix for each channel, location, and season to delight customers and maximize sales. This combination of financial guidance and localized assortments helps Kappahl enhance its business performance and achieve its aggressive growth objectives. “By leveraging AI powered inventory planning solutions from JustEnough, Kappahl will be able to perfectly balance the top-line merchandising requirements for growth with the bottom-line demand for profitability,” said ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “ToolsGroup is excited to help Kappahl achieve its vision of being a leader in affordable and responsible fashion. Improving full price sell-through without stockouts will help Kappahl continue its impressive growth trajectory while satisfying customers and boosting financial performance.” Meet ToolsGroup at NRF Booth #3948 and learn why customers around the globe are employing JustEnough to Support their growth and strategic initiatives. Book a meeting to learn more about the latest advancements in retail planning HERE. Customers and analysts alike recognize ToolsGroup as a retail planning leader. See the growing list of analyst accolades and customer recognition awards HERE. About Kappahl Group Founded in 1953 in Gothenburg, Sweden, the Kappahl Group is a leading fashion chain in the Nordics, with around 360 Kappahl and Newbie stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland and the UK, and online in more than 20 markets throughout Europe and Asia. We want to make a difference in the fashion world and to lead the way by always keeping our promises: taking care of the world around us, minimizing the environmental impact for each garment. And at the same time fulfil our employee promise "We promise you the right to always be yourself - a place to belong. The Kappahl team consists of some 4,000 colleagues in nine countries, all with different backgrounds, ages, skills and styles. Our common motivation is to create a responsible world of fashion and offer fashion fit for life to a wide variety of people and lifestyles. A responsible fashion that feels right, for the bearer and for the world we live in. Today, more than 80% of the products are made of certified and/or preferred materials. Kappahl’s goal is 100% by 2025 and Kappahl's overall climate goal is to halve the value chain's climate emissions by 2030. More information at kappahl.com About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

January 11, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CES 2024 Latest Trends

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

January 11, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to Support NCMA Nexus 2024

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is pleased to announce the collaboration with the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) for the inaugural Nexus 2024 conference, scheduled from March 3-6 in Jacksonville, FL. This strategic partnership is a significant milestone for NCMA as it reinforces the commitment to advancing the knowledge and skills of the defense acquisition workforce. Notably, participants in Nexus 2024 will benefit from transferable credits toward their certifications, making this collaboration with DAU particularly valuable for professionals seeking career development opportunities. Nexus 2024, offers a unique platform for cross-functional collaboration for both government and industry to address pressing issues in federal procurement, including supply chain risk, cybersecurity, and sustainability. The event encourages joint efforts in innovation, strategic discussions, case studies, hackathons, and real-world problem-solving, providing deployable solutions for attendees. The co-hosted event aligns seamlessly with the new Better Contracting Initiative (BCI), emphasizing that multi-functional groups come together to learn the acquisition lifecycle side by side, promoting a comprehensive understanding of each’s others perspective job functions along with federal procurement challenges. One of the emcees for Nexus 2024 is DAU’s Professor of Program Management, Julie Knechtel, expressed her excitement about the event, stating, "I am excited to be part of an event that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise in defense acquisition. It is a great opportunity to train as we work, leverage the expertise of multi-functional teams, and enhance the skills needed to tackle the evolving challenges in federal procurement collaboratively." NCMA's Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Conrad, commented on the natural fit between NCMA and DAU, saying, "The collaboration with DAU at Nexus 2024 exemplifies our shared commitment to advancing the knowledge and skills of the acquisition workforce. We are grateful for their support as together we drive better practices and better outcomes in acquisition and procurement.” Michelle Currier, NCMA's Chief Learning Officer, also shared her enthusiasm, stating, "The Nexus 2024 event underscores the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in federal procurement. DAU's support enhances the educational value of the event, aligning with the goals of not only NCMA, but the federal government overall." Nexus 2024 is open to all professionals involved in federal procurement, providing an ideal opportunity for integrated teams to learn and train together. For more information about Nexus 2024 and to register for the event, visit the NCMA website at http://www.ncmahq.org/nexus. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – www.ncmahq.org – stands as the premier contract management organization whose mission is to collaborate towards a globally recognized contract management profession that strengthens its nexus with related acquisition communities. Serving approximately 20,000 members in both the public and private sectors, NCMA propels the growth, advancement, and impact of practitioners through a steadfast commitment to serve through the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. DAU is the acquisition learning, development and talent management organization for the Department of Defense with a mission to provide a global learning environment to develop qualified acquisition, requirements, and contingency professionals who deliver and sustain effective and affordable warfighting capabilities. Nearly 160,000 acquisition professionals across all military services and Department of Defense agencies have access to career-long learning and support from DAU faculty and staff. Contact Details Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 dominick.belfiore@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org

January 11, 2024 05:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CES 2024 Opening Day: Sneak Peek

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

January 10, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair returns to San Francisco February 9-11, 2024

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America

The 56th CA International Antiquarian Book Fair is making its in-person return to San Francisco next month. The fair, sponsored by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), takes place February 9-11, 2024, at Pier 27 (cruise ship terminal). Widely recognized as one of the world's largest exhibitions of antiquarian books for sale, more than 100 exhibitors from around the world will present rare books, maps, illustrations, historical documents, and ephemera on a vast array of subjects and genres. The fair boasts offerings in every conceivable genre including the first-ever catalog on the history of artificial intelligence (AI) from Novato book dealer and ABAA member Jeremy Norman. Part of this timely collection is an extremely rare, first edition pamphlet published in 1832 by Russian statistician and inventor Semyon Korsakov on what is believed to be one of the first machine-learning devices. Korsakov was a pioneer in the concept of “mechanized thought,” or artificial intelligence. The nearly 200-year-old AI print ephemera will be on exhibit and offered at the purchase price of $35,000. The fair’s specialties encompass art, science, medicine, literature, history, gastronomy, fashion, first editions, Americana, philosophy, children’s books and much more. As highlighted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, rare books and other objects have increasingly captured the attention of young collectors seeking one-of-a-kind offerings at more accessible price points. Book fair prices range from $100 to millions. This year, the fair welcomes international exhibitors from 9 different countries including the UK, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany and The Netherlands. An impressive number of US exhibitors also highlight the wealth of material available stateside. Exhibitors will present a vast treasure trove of items: rare books, maps, manuscripts, fine bindings, illustrations, historical documents, prints and print ephemera. One of the rare maps up for purchase is Augustus Chevalier's stunning large-scale 1911 map of San Francisco, the premier map of the city following the San Francisco Earthquake and one of the most impressive and beautiful urban plans in the history of American mapmaking. The purchase price is $45,000 from S.F. Bay Area-based ABAA dealer, Neatline Antique Maps. Another extraordinary find is a piece of LGBTQ+ science fiction history discovered at an estate sale in Oakland, California – the original cover art for Ursula K. Le Guin’s groundbreaking “The Left Hand of Darkness.” The novel was one of the first examinations of androgyny in science fiction and explored the effect of sex and gender on society. Mark Funke, Novato book dealer and ABAA member, will exhibit the illustration art at the San Francisco fair. The purchase price is $20,000. “This is one of the most important events in the country for rare book enthusiasts, and we are thrilled to return to San Francisco after enjoying nearly a decade of success in Oakland,” says Julie Roper, Director of the 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair. “Post-pandemic, we are seeing resurgent demand for in-person fairs, where a global community of the top dealers offers the most sought-after collections of books, maps, illustrations, and ephemera. The experience of attending in person is like no other – it’s a real-life treasure hunt.” The Book Fair takes place from February 9-11, 2024. Tickets may be purchased in advance here or at the door, and a full list of exhibitors can be found here. MEDIA NOTE: Media preview hours are Friday, February 9, from 4-5p. Media kit with high-resolution images is available here. Please contact Liza Batallones at ABAA@landispr.com for b roll. QUICK FACTS The 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair will open Friday, Friday, February 9, 2024: Media Preview is 4pm to 5pm; Opening Night 5pm to 8pm ( Opening Night is open to the public with the purchase of a Friday ticket and includes complimentary sparkling wine plus a first glimpse and opportunity to purchase.) $25 ticket also includes Saturday & Sunday admission; Saturday, February 10, 2024 - Noon to 7pm • $15 ticket includes Sunday admission and Sunday, February 11, 2024 from Noon to 5pm • $10 ticket Location: Pier 27, The Embarcadero in San Francisco [ map ] The three-day event features the collections and rare treasures of booksellers from around the globe, including manuscripts, modern first editions, children’s books, ephemera, maps, and autographs, as well as antiquarian books on a vast array of topics. Prices range from $100 to millions. The book fair is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees, with more than 120 sellers from 10 different countries. The book fair returns to San Francisco after a decade of success in Oakland. The influx of attendees is expected to generate $2.1 million in revenue for San Francisco restaurants and merchants over a 3-day period. Source: SF Travel The book fair is easily accessible by BART, ferry, or Muni, and offers over 100 free parking spots for attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be food, wine, beer, and liquor available for purchase daily. The fair is open to the public, and tickets range from $10.00 to $25.00. Available for purchase here. Admission is free for librarians, curators, and related non-profit cultural institution workers who register in advance, in addition to students with valid current school ID and children 12 years of age and under. Details available here. ABOUT THE ABAA The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) was founded in 1949 to promote interest in rare and antiquarian books and book collecting, and to foster collegial relations. We strive to maintain the highest standards in the trade. All members agree to abide by the ABAA's Code of Ethics. While our members sell, buy, and appraise books and printed matter, our staff can assist you with finding a bookseller and with other trade-related matters. Contact Details Landis Communications, Inc. Liza Batallones +1 415-766-0846 ABAA@landispr.com Company Website https://www.abaa.org/

January 09, 2024 09:10 AM Pacific Standard Time

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ToolsGroup Named a Leader in the SPARK Matrix for Retail Assortment and Management Applications by Quadrant Knowledge Solutions

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is proud to announce it has been named a technology leader in the SPARK Matrix™ analysis of Retail Assortment and Management Applications by Quadrant Knowledge Solutions (QKS). The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix: Retail Assortment and Management Applications, Q4, 2023 includes a detailed analysis of global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study provides competitive analysis and ranking of the leading Retail Assortment and Management Application (RA&MA) vendors in the form of its SPARK Matrix. It gives users strategic information to evaluate vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market position. This is the fourth consecutive SPARK Matrix in which ToolsGroup has been featured. The company was named a technology leader in Intelligent Retail Pricing & Promotion Optimization and Global Supply Chain Inventory Optimization. It also achieved the primary leadership position in the Retail Forecasting and Replenishment matrix. According to Sahil Gupta, Chief Product Officer at ToolsGroup, “ToolsGroup’s JustEnough solution has long been recognized as a leader in retail planning and execution. These powerful capabilities have now been enhanced with EvoAI, which enables quantum analytics and advanced optimization. Armed with artificial intelligence, goal-based optimization and low-latency data, retailers can sense, predict, and respond to minute but crucial market changes, allowing for optimal real-time decisions that boost revenue while satisfying customer expectations.” “We’re excited to be leading the charge in the application of AI in the retail planning space, and we’re proud to be recognized for these efforts,” said ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “Our greatest satisfaction, however, comes from working alongside our customers to achieve real-world benefits with these innovations. With responsive AI and real-time insights, we’re building the future of supply chain and retail planning – one typified by customer-centric processes that reduce waste for better business performance and greater sustainability.” Additional Resources: Meet us at NRF Booth #3948 and learn why JustEnough keeps getting named a leader! Book a meeting to learn more about the latest advancements in retail planning HERE. See the list of industry accolades awarded to ToolsGroup by customers and analysts HERE. Download the SPARK Matrix for Retail Forecasting and Replenishment report HERE. About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

January 09, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Intel ushers in the AI PC Era at CES 2024

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

January 09, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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