Dallas Market Center, the 5 million-square-foot B2B trading hub and wholesale marketplace northwest of downtown Dallas, just introduced an AI training program for a sizable chunk of its customer base: independent retailers.

The market center said its Retail Ready program is the first B2B marketplace to create an AI education program for independent retailers. Independent retailers operate nearly 57% of stores in Texas, Capital One Shopping data shows.

‘AI isn’t magic’

The program will enable independent retailers to apply AI to everything from everyday tasks to complex business analysis.

“AI isn’t magic, and it isn’t a threat,” Retail Ready said on its blog. “It’s a practical tool that can give you back time, spark new ideas and help you do more of what you already do well.”

The program’s training tools include social media, email, videos, webinars and the center’s website. Activities and training at January’s seven market events will supplement the regular program, the center said. A Dallas Market Center spokesperson told Dallas Innovates the free program, primarily video-based, is a pilot that will end Jan. 25, the last day of January’s market events. Based on response to the pilot, the center might roll out more AI training for independent retailers, the spokesperson said.

Cole Daugherty, senior vice president of marketing communications at Dallas Market Center, said the program is straightforward.

“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,” Daugherty said in a statement.

To participate, retailers should visit the program’s website and watch for related social media posts from Dallas Market Center. Also, attendees at January’s market events can sign up for in-person activities.

Creating ‘better’ retailers

A leadership council made up of industry professionals created and oversees Retail Ready: Daugherty, Alison Dodson and Trudi Bartow.

“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,” Dodson, owner of A. Dodson’s apparel, home furnishings and gift shop in Suffolk, Virginia, said in a statement.

No tech expertise required

Training will focus on using AI for business matters such as trend research, competitive research, merchandising, promotions, vendor communications and business analysis. Retailers don’t need tech expertise to participate.

“AI tools have changed: You no longer need to know how to code or understand complicated technology,” Bartow, an AI consultant in New York City, said in a statement. “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 Retail Ready program touts the benefits of AI, but it doesn’t dismiss the value of independent retailers’ know-how.

“AI cannot replace your eye, your customer knowledge or the relationships that make independent retail special,” the program said on its blog. “It can help you get through a first draft, organize information and see a problem from another angle. You remain the decision-maker.”