Real-Time AI and Data Analytics Solution for Cannabis Retail Insights


Developed an AI and Data Analytics solution for a cannabis market leader in the Microsoft Startup ecosystem, aimed at collecting real-time inventory data from over 3,200 Canadian retail websites. This offers the most extensive repository of retail trends and consumer insights. Leveraging this intelligence enables businesses to make informed, data-driven decisions that keep them ahead of competitors in this fast-growing industry.

Technology Used: Databricks, Power BI, AI, Azure Platform

About the client

The client gathers real-time inventory data from thousands of Canadian retail websites, creating the largest repository of retail trends and consumer insights. Their platform empowers top-performing teams in the Canadian cannabis industry with actionable intelligence, answering critical questions like which products are selling the most, and where. Trusted for their ability to deliver data-driven solutions, they help businesses transform insights into everyday competitive advantages.

Business Challenge

  • The absence of real-time inventory data created a 20-30% gap in market visibility, hindering effective business decision-making.
  • It was very hard to have the different data formats from 3200 stores and 16000 products to be able to scrap analyze and merge and be able to have one data set which can be meaningful.
  • Without timely insights, the client risked missing emerging trends and lost opportunities, giving competitors a significant market advantage.
  • Field reps could only monitor inventory at 10-15% of stores, severely limiting their ability to track stock and drive sales.

Solution Approach

  • Real-Time Data Consolidation with Advanced AI: Using Databricks, Azure, Power BI, and AI, the solution consolidates data from 3,200 stores into a unified system, providing accurate, real-time retail inventory insights.
  • Actionable Consumer Insights and Trend Analysis: The solution delivers in-depth consumer insights and trends, enabling sales teams to refine strategies based on real-time data, improving decision-making by over 30%.
  • Comprehensive Price Tracking and Historical Analysis: Real-time price tracking and historical inventory analysis empower businesses to adjust pricing strategies, ensuring competitiveness and boosting revenue.
  • Empowered Teams with Data-Driven Decision Making: Sales agents, managers, and executives now have access to critical insights, enabling more informed, data-driven strategies to improve performance across all monitored retail locations.

Value Delivered

The solution empowered the client to track product performance across over 3,200 stores, providing valuable insights into sales drivers, which increased sales forecasting accuracy by 32%. It facilitates real-time analysis of competitor strategies, enabling informed decision-making. Additionally, the client can identify emerging market trends, gaining a competitive edge to capitalize on new opportunities 27% faster.

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