Retail promotion planning in 2026 requires predictive intelligence rather than calendar-based execution. As margin pressure and demand volatility increase, retailers must evaluate promotions based on incremental profitability – not just revenue uplift. Modern AI-driven planning platforms are reshaping how commercial decisions are made.
Retail promotion planning in 2026 can no longer depend on historical routines or intuition. Margin pressure, demand volatility, and greater price transparency require retailers to evaluate campaigns based on true incremental profitability rather than revenue uplift alone. Reactive execution increases financial risk.
Modern promotion planning must be predictive and margin aware. Advanced solutions combine demand forecasting, elasticity modeling, and scenario simulation to assess impact before launch. Research from Aalto University indicates that many promotions fail to generate sufficient incremental profit once full costs are considered, highlighting the need for data-driven decision-making.
TL;DR:
Here are the top retail promotion planning platforms for 2026:
- Yieldigo – the most advanced AI-driven platform for integrated promotion, pricing, and markdown optimization
- RELEX Solutions – demand-driven promotion planning with strong supply chain synchronization
- Blue Yonder – enterprise-grade retail planning and merchandising suite
- SAP Customer Activity Repository & Promotion Management – integrated promotion execution within the SAP retail ecosystem
- Oracle Retail Promotion Planning & Optimization – large-scale retail promotion management with financial planning alignment
- Anaplan – connected planning platform enabling cross-functional promotional forecasting
- o9 Solutions – AI-powered enterprise planning platform with advanced scenario modeling
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of features, strengths, limitations, pricing models, and G2 ratings.
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Why Trust Our Software Reviews?
For nearly a decade, we’ve supported retail leaders in evaluating smarter promotion planning strategies. Our research combines hands-on platform analysis, executive insights, benchmarking, and verified third-party reviews (including G2).
We assess real commercial impact – incrementality, margin control, and execution – not just features. Our reviews are independent, structured, and focused on helping retailers choose solutions fit for 2026 complexity.
How We Evaluated Retail Promotion Planning Solutions for 2026
Choosing the best retail promotion planning solution in 2026 goes beyond comparing discount tools. Modern promotion planning affects incrementality, margins, and cross-category performance. To find the right fit, retailers should assess solutions against six key strategic and operational criteria.
- Define Your Promotion Strategy & Commercial Objectives
- Assess Incrementality & Cannibalization Modeling
- Evaluate Scenario Planning & Simulation Depth
- Examine SKU & Store-Level Granularity
- Review Cross-Category & Halo Impact Analysis
- Consider Workflow Integration & Governance
Best Retail Promotion Planning Solutions for 2026
Yieldigo
What It Is?
Yieldigo is an AI-powered retail optimization platform built specifically for grocery and large-scale retail environments. Rather than treating promotion planning as a standalone workflow, the platform integrates promotion planning, price optimization, and markdown management within a unified revenue optimization framework. Unlike traditional planning tools that rely primarily on historical reporting or rule-based mechanics, Yieldigo applies advanced demand forecasting, SKU- and store-level elasticity modeling, and predictive scenario simulation. This allows retailers to evaluate promotional impact before launch, rather than analyzing results after margin erosion has already occurred.
Best For:
Mid-to-large retailers seeking predictive, AI-driven promotion planning that prioritizes measurable ROI, margin protection, and coordinated pricing alignment.
Key Capabilities:
- AI-driven promotion scenario simulation before execution
- Advanced demand forecasting at SKU and store level
- Price elasticity and incrementality modeling
- ROI and margin impact prediction
- Cannibalization and halo effect analysis
- Integrated pricing and markdown optimization logic
- ERP, POS, and retail system integrations
Strategic Strengths:
Yieldigo’s core strength lies in its predictive intelligence and full revenue lifecycle integration. Promotion decisions are not evaluated in isolation but aligned with pricing strategy, inventory constraints, and margin objectives.
The platform emphasizes incremental profitability rather than revenue uplift alone. By simulating multiple discount depths and timing strategies, retailers can identify the optimal promotional structure before committing budget.
Additionally, Yieldigo is purpose-built for retail complexity – supporting high SKU volumes, perishable goods environments, and dynamic grocery demand patterns.
Considerations:
The platform is primarily designed for medium to large retailers with structured historical data and cross-functional commercial teams. Implementation follows an enterprise onboarding model, requiring strategic alignment across pricing and commercial functions.
Pricing:
Custom enterprise pricing (available upon request).
G2 Rating: 4.6 / 5
RELEX Solutions
What it is?
RELEX Solutions is a unified retail planning platform that combines demand forecasting, replenishment, space planning, and promotion forecasting within a single ecosystem. Promotion planning is tightly connected to supply chain and inventory execution, enabling retailers to align campaigns with stock availability and operational capacity.
Best For:
Retailers prioritizing inventory alignment and operational efficiency.
Key Capabilities:
- Promotion demand forecasting
- Supply chain and replenishment integration
- Inventory impact modeling
- End-to-end retail planning visibility
Strengths:
Strong supply chain integration, scalable enterprise solution.
Considerations:
Less focused on advanced incrementality/elasticity modeling; complex implementation.
Pricing:
Custom enterprise pricing.
G2 Rating: 4.3 / 5
Blue Yonder
What it is?
Blue Yonder provides an enterprise-grade retail planning suite that includes pricing and promotion management as part of a broader AI-driven supply chain and merchandising ecosystem. The platform supports end-to-end promotion lifecycle management, from planning and forecasting to execution and performance tracking, across large and complex retail environments.
Best For:
Large global retailers with multi-market complexity.
Key Capabilities:
- Promotion lifecycle management
- AI-powered forecasting
- Category-level optimization
- Enterprise-scale planning architecture
Strengths
Scalable architecture, full promotion lifecycle support.
Considerations:
High implementation complexity; may exceed mid-market needs.
Pricing:
Enterprise pricing model.
G2 Rating: 4.1 / 5
SAP Promotion Management
What it is?
SAP Promotion Management is an ERP-integrated module designed to centralize promotion planning and align campaigns with financial, operational, and merchandising systems. Embedded within the broader SAP retail ecosystem, it supports structured workflows, budget control, and enterprise-wide governance of promotional activities.
Best For:
Retailers already using SAP infrastructure.
Key Capabilities:
- Centralized promotion planning
- Financial impact tracking
- ERP integration
- Workflow-based approval processes
Strengths:
Strong financial governance and workflow control.
Considerations:
Less AI-native optimization; resource-intensive setup.
G2 Rating: 4.1 / 5
Oracle Retail Promotion Planning & Optimization
What it is?
Oracle Retail Promotion Planning & Optimization is part of Oracle’s enterprise retail suite, designed to connect promotion decisions with demand forecasting, assortment planning, pricing, and financial targets. The solution supports structured promotional planning within a broader merchandising and supply chain framework.
Best For:
Global multi-channel retailers.
Key Capabilities:
- Financial planning integration
- Demand forecasting alignment
- Promotional scenario evaluation
- Assortment and pricing linkage
Strengths:
Financial integration, structured governance.
Considerations:
Less advanced AI-driven elasticity vs. specialized tools.
G2 Rating: 4.0 / 5
Anaplan
What it is?
Anaplan is a cloud-based connected planning platform used across finance, supply chain, and commercial teams. While not retail-exclusive, it is widely adopted for promotion planning, budgeting, and scenario modeling. The platform enables cross-functional collaboration and financial simulations within a flexible modeling environment.
Best For:
Cross-functional retail planning alignment.
Key Capabilities:
- Scenario modeling
- Financial simulations
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Cloud-native architecture
Strengths:
Flexible scenario modeling, strong collaboration.
Considerations:
Requires customization for retail-specific optimization.
G2 Rating: 4.6 / 5
o9 Solutions
What it is?
o9 Solutions is an AI-powered enterprise planning platform that integrates demand forecasting, supply planning, pricing, and financial performance management within a unified digital framework. Its “digital twin” approach enables retailers to simulate business scenarios across multiple dimensions before execution.
Best For:
End-to-end integrated retail planning.
Key Capabilities:
- Digital twin modeling
- Advanced scenario simulation
- Predictive analytics
- Integrated business planning
Strengths:
Advanced scenario simulation, enterprise-scale visibility.
Considerations:
Enterprise complexity and higher implementation effort.
G2 Rating: 4.3 / 5
How to Choose the Right Promotion Planning Software
- AI Maturity. Predictive Modeling vs. Rule-Based Logic: look for true predictive modeling with elasticity and incrementality analysis – not just rule automation. Advanced AI simulates outcomes before execution and improves over time.
- Retail-Specific Data Models: the system should support SKU-, store-, and category-level modeling, including cannibalization and margin sensitivity. Generic tools often lack retail depth.
- Scenario Simulation Capabilities: choose software that allows testing different discount depths, mechanics, and timing to evaluate revenue and margin trade-offs before launch.
- Integration with ERP and POS Systems: seamless integration with ERP, POS, pricing, and inventory systems ensures accurate forecasts and smooth execution.
- Transparent ROI Measurement: the platform should clearly measure incremental profit, margin impact, and forecast accuracy – not just sales uplift.
Conclusion
There is no single “best” retail promotion planning solution for 2026. The right platform depends on a retailer’s size, data maturity, and strategic goals. The key is choosing a solution that aligns with business priorities, supports operational needs, and integrates seamlessly with e
