Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Dallas Market Center Hosts Webinar On Using AI to Run a Smarter Store
November 4,
2026 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry 
What if AI could help retailers get more done and give back a few hours every week? Dallas Market Center will show retailers how in RETAIL READY: Practical AI Training for Independent Retailers, a free, one-hour webinar on Dec. 2, at noon Central.
Whether retailers are curious, just getting started, or already using AI, they will leave with real examples and simple tools built for the everyday work of running a retail business. The session begins with the foundation for getting started with AI then walks through retail tasks including operations, merchandising, inventory, finance, vendor communications, marketing, market preparation, and more. It concludes with plenty of time for questions.
“AI is your best assistant to help run your store, and we will show you how," said Cole Daugherty, senior vice president of marketing communications at Dallas Market Center. "We built the RETAIL READY webinar to show practical ways to save time on the work that fills a retailer’s week, with examples anyone can try right away for the holiday season.”
Dallas Market Center launched RETAIL READY in September with weekly practical AI tips available via social media and the DMC website. Following the December webinar, retailers are invited to attend January Markets in Dallas, where an AI Help Desk will be available in the World Trade Center Atrium to answer questions and learn more.
Speakers
- Alison Dodson, retailer, owner, and founder of A. Dodson’s
- Trudi Bartow, sales expert, vice president at Unemployed Philosophers Guild, and AI consultant
- Cole Daugherty, marketing expert, senior vice president of marketing communications at Dallas Market Center
Event details
What: RETAIL READY, a one-hour webinar on AI for retailers
When: Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at noon Central
Cost: Free
Register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bdfcdc46-3bb2-4d9a-95c0-f19abb3babe9@a60dd980-9293-447f-ad6a-452c00246e38
PLANNING AHEAD
For information about all upcoming markets and events, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the new, completely redesigned Dallas Market Center mobile app. Stay current by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose blog.