MRCA urges retailers to embrace AI to cut costs, stay competitive

The Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) has called on Malaysian retailers to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to manage rising operating costs, improve efficiency, and remain competitive. MRCA President Datuk Liew Bin emphasized that technology should deliver tangible business benefits, rather than being adopted for novelty's sake.

He highlighted how AI-driven predictive analytics, automated inventory management, and personalised customer experiences could help retailers forecast demand, streamline operations, and support sustainable business growth. The MRCA Retail Tech Summit 2026, themed "Smart Retail, Real Impact," brought together industry leaders, technology providers, and policymakers to discuss how businesses could move beyond basic automation towards data-driven and predictive retail operations.

Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San, who attended as guest of honour, emphasized the critical role of technology in the retail and wholesale trade sector, citing cloud computing, real-time analytics, automated inventory systems, and secure digital payments as essential components for strengthening competitiveness.

The summit discussions align with the government's broader digital initiatives, including the National Artificial Intelligence Office's efforts to promote AI adoption across industries, and come as retailers face pressure to balance investments in digitalization with cost control and evolving shopper expectations.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.