Iain Lewis

Most retailers treat clearance as the problem. In reality, it’s where earlier pricing decisions catch up. Margin is lost long before products reach the markdown stage.

The buying process for pricing software is thorough, rigorous, and often months long. The implementation? That’s where things quietly fall apart.

The real cost of pricing software isn’t the investment it’s the millions in profit lost each year by sticking with manual and outdated pricing decisions.

AI is getting cheaper and louder, but competitive advantage is moving elsewhere. In 2026, retailers will win by turning data into faster, better, explainable decisions that deliver measurable P&L impact.

Retailers need AI speed without losing accountability. A Glass Box approach replaces black box pricing with transparent logic, so every price move is explainable, auditable, and safe to scale.

UK retailers should treat trade down as a category level decision sequence, then use explainable, automated pricing to protect margin while staying competitive where shoppers are truly price sensitive.

Most retailers focus on the visible 5% of their assortment. This article explores why the remaining 95% is where sustainable margin and profitability are really created.

Aggressive discounting may lift sales today, but it quietly erodes margin, brand value, and long term growth unless pricing is guided by transparent, controlled automation.

The Rise of Pricing Moments: How Retailers Can Improve Sell-Through With Smarter Pricing Decisions.