DMC Launches “Retail Ready” AI Training

The multi-month program provides education, tips, and support for independent retailers.

Dallas Market Center (DMC) has launched Retail Ready, a new AI training program for independent retailers that will take place via social media, email, videos, webinars, and the DMC website as well as activations and hands-on training during January 2027 markets.  

Education and support for the use of AI as a business tool will be provided through the program over several months. Developed in response to requests from retailers, sales reps, and exhibitors, Retail Ready is reportedly the first B2B marketplace creating an AI education program tailored to the unique needs of independent retail.

The program is being created and managed by a leadership council of industry professionals that includes: Alison Dodson, award-winning owner of A. Dodson’s of Suffolk, VA; Trudi Bartow, AI evangelist and vice president of business growth and business strategy with gift manufacturer Unemployed Philosophers Guild and founder of TRB Insights, an AI learning and consulting company that helps retailers, sales representatives, and industry leaders use AI in practical, approachable ways; and Cole Daugherty, senior vice president of marketing communications with DMC.

Dodson explained the thought process behind the program, “Retail Ready is not designed to turn retailers into AI experts. It’s designed to create better retailers. I hear from my store- owner peers every week asking for help with AI, and this is the best way to support one another.”

Bartow added, “I have helped so many retailers get started with AI to make their jobs easier. AI tools have changed: you no longer need to know how to code or understand complicated technology. Instead, you can simply type a question, talk, take a photo, or upload a file. That means AI can now help with some very ordinary – and very time-consuming – parts of running an independent retail business.”

The program is open to all retailers with no special sign-up and is organized for busy business decision-makers who want to quickly learn how to get started, learn practical tools to help solve problems and save time, and create easy-to-follow processes for supporting their business.

Themes include:

1. Buy: Sales analysis, vendor comparison, assortment gaps, trend research, market planning

2. Sell: Retail merchandising, cross-selling, staff product knowledge, promotions

3. Promote: Email, social media, events, content calendars, customer messaging

4. Run: Scheduling, procedures, vendor communications, meeting notes, repetitive administration

5. Grow: Business analysis, competitive research, customer trends, strategic planning

6. At Market: Plan, discover, make appointments, compare lines, find merchandising stories, organize notes, and more.

Daugherty framed the programming this way, “We’re going to keep it simple. Each week, we’ll present one real problem independent retailers face and one practical way AI can help via short demonstrations, real retail examples, and AI prompts to copy and try.”

Retail Ready’s content via DMC marketing channels begins immediately, including a dedicated webpage.

Community-oriented webinars will follow, and the at-market activations will take place in person during January Markets. Interested retailers can follow DMC’s social media channels and register as a DMC buyer for complete program content.

Upcoming trade events at DMC include the Apparel & Accessories Market and KidsWorld taking place October 20-23 plus the Total Home & Gift Market (January 6-12) and Lightovation (January 6-9).

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