Retail Tech Insights: Specials Magazine
Demand planning becomes difficult when a forecast is accurate only until the next material change. Manhattan Associates [NASDAQ: MANH]approaches that problem through ActivePlanning, an AI-powered supply chain planning solution, where demand forecasting is designed to keep learning from new signals instead of waiting for a fixed planning cycle. The system combines network-wide demand visibility with continuous adjustment, giving planners a forecast that can change when product, location, channel or timing patterns begin to move across the network. Its forecasting process draws on demand cleansing and seasonal pattern analysis. This is supported by self-tuning capabilities that improve the quality of the signal before a planner acts on it. Forecasts can be generated across different levels of product and location hierarchies. At the same time, update frequencies can be adjusted to the needs of the planning environment. That structure helps teams manage changing demand without relying on one static view of future need. The system is also built to scale across product-location combinations and different planning horizons. AI and machine learning automate most of the forecast refinement, allowing planners to focus on exceptions that need judgment. Manhattan Associates positions this as a change in how planning time is used. Instead of continuously rebuilding forecasts, teams can focus on the cases where human intervention can materially change the resulting inventory decision.
Live Video Commerce Platform Company of the Year 2026
As social commerce evolves beyond livestreams into an AI-driven retail ecosystem, CommentSold is expanding its role from live-selling pioneer to comprehensive commerce platform. Building on its leadership in live commerce, the company is combining video, automation, mobile shopping, and artificial intelligence to help merchants create more engaging customer experiences, like auctions, while simplifying day-to-day operations. Over the past year, the company has surpassed $6 billion in lifetime gross merchandise value, reinforcing its leadership in live selling and demonstrating sustained momentum across its merchant base. Under the leadership of Daniel Jang, President of CommentSold, the company has focused on expanding both the depth and breadth of its platform capabilities. While live selling remains central to its identity, CommentSold is increasingly positioning itself as a full-stack commerce enablement platform that integrates video, mobile shopping, automation, and artificial intelligence.
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EDITORIAL
Turning Retail Technology into Business Advantage
Leading the edition is Manhattan Associates (NASDAQ: MANH), recognised as the Top AI-Powered Demand Forecasting Solutions 2026. Its ActivePlanning platform combines demand forecasting, replenishment and allocation, allowing forecasts to change as product, location, channel and timing patterns shift. It combines statistical methods with machine learning and can use signals such as weather and social sentiment to refine forecasts.
The platform also links forecasts to inventory decisions. Sightline helps planners see why a forecast or recommendation changed without relying on separate spreadsheets and reports. This gives teams a clearer view of where products should go and when they should arrive.
CommentSold, named the Live Video Commerce Platform Company of the Year 2026, helps merchants sell through video while keeping control of customer relationships and data. Its platform supports live shopping, auctions, shoppable clips and pre-recorded livestreams. Its AI tools also take care of tasks such as creating product listings, planning inventory and engaging customers.
The company has surpassed USD 6 billion in lifetime gross merchandise value and is expanding beyond live selling. Its roadmap includes AI agents that can support inventory planning, campaign execution and customer engagement while merchants stay focused on their customers.
Together, these stories offer a practical look at how technology is changing retail, from predicting demand to helping merchants turn attention into sales. We invite you to explore the edition and the ideas shaping the next generation of retail.




