Home Depot's rival is quietly building out artificial intelligence capabilities across its operations, betting that machine learning can reshape everything from inventory management to customer service on the retail floor.
The effort is being driven by Chandhu Nair, who leads the company's data, AI, and innovation unit as Senior Vice President. In his view, retailers that don't invest in AI infrastructure now risk falling behind competitors who use it to predict demand, personalize shopping experiences, and streamline back-office operations.
Lowe's is applying AI to multiple domains. The technology helps optimize how the company stocks shelves based on real-time sales patterns and seasonal demand. It also powers recommendation engines that suggest products to customers, both in stores and online. Behind the scenes, AI assists with pricing decisions and supply chain logistics.
The company has also tapped AI to improve customer interactions, whether through chatbots that field basic questions or systems that help employees on the sales floor provide faster, more accurate guidance to shoppers tackling renovation projects.
Nair's team is exploring where emerging AI models might create competitive edges in the physical retail space, an area where many big-box competitors are still experimenting. The bet reflects a broader recognition that large retailers need technical depth to compete effectively, especially as consumer expectations for speed and personalization continue to rise.
Lowe's isn't alone in this push. Home improvement and general retail chains across the country are investing in similar capabilities. What distinguishes one player from another often comes down to execution, data quality, and whether the AI investments actually translate into measurable improvements in sales and customer satisfaction.
Author Emily Chen: "Lowe's move signals that AI in retail is no longer a future concept; it's how companies survive today."
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