Published on Symphony RetailAI, the leading provider of integrated AI-enabled marketing, merchandising and supply chain solutions for FMCG retailers and manufacturers, today announced findings from its Category Planning & Assortment Optimisation Executive Survey, conducted in partnership with Incisiv. In the survey, US-based retail executives demonstrated a short-term shift in priorities to deal with the pandemic, with 95% citing inventory optimisation as their top priority. The study reveals a maturity gap between retailers’ intentions and capabilities for category planning and assortment optimisation. The survey also found how retailers plan to enhance their merchandising efforts in light of the pandemic, with a large majority declaring plans to invest in integrated and cloud-based category planning technologies. The research emphasises that achieving growth will require an upgraded capability set for both retailers and CPGs.