Retailers that lack comprehensive and flexible merchandising tools could be at the highest risk during a season of unpredictable demand. However, many existing merchandising tools lack the flexibility needed for agile decision-making and in-season adjustments to match demand. Additionally, many retailers have delayed upgrades or new implementations of enterprise systems because the traditional model of extremely high up-front costs and lengthy implementations is prohibitive in the current market.

Now more than ever, the cost, time and resources required of traditional software implementations are prohibitive and difficult to justify. However, a new generation of software has emerged that is allowing retailers and brands to move ahead with their technology initiatives. These software-as-a-service (SaaS) Hosted solutions get brands and retailers up and running quickly and require no up-front license payments, software installations, hardware purchases, or long-term commitments - in effect, eliminating the traditional risks of investing in software.

The Hosted model is ideal in many situations retailers and brands are facing  year round, including pricing more effectively to make the most of uncertain and constantly shifting demand. One of the biggest challenges for retailers and brands during the past year has been the constantly changing behavior of consumers. Buying decisions are made one or two seasons in advance, and sales play out in a very different environment months later. At that point, the best way for a retailer to make the most of what they have is to optimize their prices, whether they are regular prices, promotions or markdowns, to ensure that they can move product at prices that will maximize margins. This new breed of Real-Time systems can be deployed quickly, so it is not too late for retailers to leverage these tools.  Knowing how and when to adjust prices to meet demand as it plays out could be the difference between a profitable or un-profitable season for retailers.