Dollar General is expanding its use of artificial intelligence across its North American operations as the retailer looks to bring forecasting, replenishment and allocation into a more unified planning process.
Through a new partnership with Relex Solutions, Dollar General will deploy the technology across a network spanning 21,000 stores and 34 distribution centers, according to an Aug. 27 press release from the technology provider.
The retailer will use Relex’s AI platform to coordinate several critical elements of its supply chain, including store replenishment, ordering schedules, lead times, supplier coordination and fulfillment methods. Demand-related factors, such as sales patterns, will also be incorporated directly into the planning process, allowing stores and distribution centers to work from the same data.
“The platform brings forecasting, replenishment, and allocation planning into a single environment, giving our teams greater visibility across the network,” Jeff Vaughan, SVP of global inventory management at Dollar General, said in the release.
The move is part of Dollar General’s broader effort to increase the role of AI throughout its operations. Speaking during the company’s Aug. 27 earnings call, CEO Todd Vasos said the retailer is still at an early stage of its AI journey but is actively pursuing opportunities to improve efficiency and address cost pressures.
“Additionally, while we are still early in our AI journey, we are building agentic operating systems for the enterprise focused on reshaping and optimizing our workflows to improve productivity throughout the organization,” Vasos said.
Dollar General is not the only retailer or supply chain operator turning to Relex technology to improve planning, inventory management and network visibility.
Lowe’s announced in April that it planned to scale its partnership with Relex as part of an effort to strengthen inventory management. The retailer said at the time that full implementation was scheduled for early 2027.
Wholesale distributor United Natural Foods, Inc. also announced in March that it planned to deploy Relex’s AI-based inventory planning technology across 12 distribution sites by the end of its fiscal year on Aug. 1.
Meanwhile, Guitar Center implemented Relex technology last year to enhance its inventory planning capabilities and improve overall supply chain visibility, with the aim of reducing both stockouts and overstock.
For Dollar General, the latest deployment brings AI deeper into the retailer’s day-to-day supply chain planning, connecting demand forecasting, replenishment and allocation within a common platform across its extensive store and distribution network.
