In this webinar (converted to a podcast) hosted by Category Management Association; IDC’s Jon Duke, Vice President of Research and Retail Insights, and HIVERY's John Showalter, VP of Client Services, discuss the coming merchandising challenges for retailers and CPGs as well as the next generation of software solutions that help solve them. As investment in AI in retail accelerates, and its adoption increases, we are rapidly moving from the future-focused, more-visionary-than-practical approach into a world where next-gen tools deliver practical value. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence and advisory services. IDC examines consumer markets by devices, applications, and services for clients. Jon Duke, IDC's Vice President of Research and Retail Insights, leads the Intelligent Product Merchandising and Marketing Strategies practice and is responsible for delivering IDC Retail Insights’ authoritative perspective on how retailers can leverage technology solutions to achieve key operational, tactical, and strategic objectives across merchandising and marketing functions. Jon provides global, fact-based, retailer-driven research and analysis that IT buyers and merchant users can use to gain an advantage. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence and advisory services. IDC examines consumer markets by devices, applications, and services for clients. John Showalter, HIVERY’s VP of Client Services, is a seasoned category management and shopper insights professional with 30+ years of experience. John has held senior roles at Kellogg, Bayer, The Coca-Cola Company, and Red Bull driving business outcomes and capabilities in Category Insights, Shopper Research, and Insights, Space Planning as well as Training and Capabilities. He is a CMA Certified Professional Strategic Advisor and has worked on CMA's Evolution of Category Management in an Omnichannel World project.