The owner of The Range, Wilko and Homebase is turning to artificial intelligence to manage the growing complexity of its retail empire.
CDS Superstores has selected RELEX Solutions to roll out AI-driven forecasting and replenishment across its store and distribution network, a move designed to strengthen availability and improve supply chain responsiveness as the business continues to scale.
The technology will be implemented with the support of supply chain consultancy Demandtex.
The decision highlights how quickly CDS has evolved from a single retail brand into a multi-banner operator following its acquisition of Wilko’s intellectual property and the subsequent takeover of Homebase.
Managing those brands now means overseeing more than 285 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland and handling roughly 65,000 SKUs spanning 16 categories, from homeware and furniture to DIY and garden products.
As that footprint expands, the pressure on forecasting accuracy and stock allocation increases significantly.
AI-led planning platforms such as RELEX are designed to address precisely this challenge. By analysing store-level demand patterns and localised sales trends, the system can generate more granular forecasts and automatically align replenishment planning with distribution centre and supplier capacity.
For CDS, the shift also supports a wider transition towards a more regionalised distribution model, which aims to place inventory closer to customers and reduce inefficiencies across the network.
Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, said improving supply chain visibility was a critical priority as the business continues to grow.
“As we continue to grow, investing in technology that strengthens our supply chain is essential,” he said. “RELEX gives us enhanced visibility and smarter forecasting across our network, helping us ensure the right products are available for our customers at the right time.”
Replacing manual planning processes with AI forecasting is also expected to streamline operational decision-making across the group, particularly as demand patterns diverge regionally.
For CDS, the new partnership signals a shift from rapid brand acquisition towards operational consolidation, ensuring the infrastructure behind The Range, Wilko and Homebase can support continued expansion without compromising availability or efficiency.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
