Driving Intelligent Growth: A CEO’s Vision for the Future of Retail, CPG, and Healthcare

A Conversation with Lori Schafer, CEO of Digital Wave Technology 

As retail, CPG, and healthcare leaders face rising complexity and competitive pressure, the need for intelligent, adaptable platforms is urgent. Shifts in consumer behavior, skyrocketing data complexity, and rising technical debt have pushed executives to reimagine how their businesses operate and innovate. 

To explore where the industry is heading, we sat down with Lori Schafer, CEO of Digital Wave Technology. As a technology executive with more than 30 years of experience in predictive analytics, AI, Generative AI, eCommerce, consumer product branding, and retail merchandising, Lori offers a powerful perspective on leadership, AI strategy, and how Digital Wave’s ONE℠ Platform is reshaping enterprise execution across industries. 

Q1: You’ve led technology companies through major industry shifts. What mindset do CEOs and retail leaders need to adopt today to stay relevant? 

Schafer: Stay curious. Move fast. And don’t get comfortable. Today’s winners are leaders who embrace change, not just manage it. That means challenging legacy systems that are draining budgets and holding teams back. In today’s economy, you need a platform that not only keeps pace with the market but also reduces the total cost of ownership. Flexibility, speed, and a data-driven culture are essential—but so is eliminating unnecessary complexity and expense. 

Q2: What makes Digital Wave Technology’s approach to AI different from the noise in the market? 

Schafer: We’re not retrofitting AI—we built the platform with AI from day one. The ONE Platform is AI-native, with GenAI and Agentic AI deeply embedded into every function, from product and merchandising to marketing, pricing, and supply chain. But what truly sets us apart is the foundation: enterprise-grade Master Data Management. Our AI is powered by clean, governed, contextual data—so decisions aren’t just fast, they’re accurate and trusted. This isn’t bolt-on AI; it’s intelligent execution, driven by the data that runs your business. 

Q3: What’s the role of Agentic AI in transforming execution across retail and CPG? 

Schafer: Agentic AI allows users to ask for what they need— like “Update this price,” “Rewrite this description,” or “Set an alert”—and it gets done. These AI agents are trained on your enterprise data, not generic models, so they act with context. It enables faster, more accurate decisions. 

Q4: How does the ONE Platform help unify data and accelerate innovation? 

Schafer: Everything we do ties back to governed, enterprise-scale master data. Our platform is built on a strong, but flexible Master Data (MDM) foundation, so whether you’re generating AI content, building a new app, or analyzing trends in the Data Science Studio, you’re working from one trusted source of truth. That’s where the speed—and the trust—comes from. 

Q5: How does the Data Science Studio help business leaders move faster and make smarter decisions? 

Schafer: It puts advanced AI and analytics directly in the hands of the business without the long delays, disconnected tools, or costly integrations. Because it’s built on our MDM foundation, teams work with trusted, governed data from the start. From data prep to model deployment, everything happens in one secure environment. Whether you're using pre-built applications or your own models, the Data Science Studio accelerates your AI lifecycle, so innovation becomes a daily part of driving growth, efficiency, and better decisions. 

Q6: We’re hearing a lot about Generative AI. How is it being applied meaningfully across your solutions—not just as a buzzword, but as a real driver of scalable value?

Schafer: That’s an important distinction. We’re using Generative AI to solve real problems—For instance, automating on-brand product descriptions, enriching attributes, generating fashion photography, and extracting insights from product reviews. It’s about scale and precision. What makes our approach different is flexibility: our GenAI capabilities can be used as standalone solutions or integrated into broader workflows—like combining product attribution with pricing optimization or marketing content with inventory insights. Our customers move faster without compromising quality or brand voice, and they’re seeing measurable gains in speed to market and operational efficiency. 

Q7: How does the ONE Platform support rapid solution development?

Schafer: We’ve taken the friction out of innovation. Our customers are building new solutions in weeks, rather than months, whether it is enhancing existing tools or building entirely new ones. With our low-code framework and reusable components, innovation becomes faster, less expensive, and directly aligned with business needs. And all the solutions tie directly into the same master data. 

Q8: What do you see as the most overlooked opportunity for innovation in consumer industries right now? 

Schafer: Many companies still underestimate the power of unified platforms. They’re spending millions trying to connect disconnected systems—PIM here, pricing there, merchandise planning, replenishment and allocation somewhere else. The opportunity is to consolidate and build a truly connected enterprise. That’s where you gain speed, visibility, and control. Our customers don’t need 15 different tools; they need one platform and fully integrated solutions to that platform. 

Q9: Companies often face short-term pressures. How should leaders balance immediate operational needs with long-term digital transformation? 

Schafer: You need a platform that solves both. That’s been part of our core philosophy. The ONE Platform delivers value fast through automation, technical expense reduction, and better planning while setting up the foundation for long-term transformation. Leaders should focus on quick wins that lead up to bigger change. You don’t have to choose between fixing today and investing in tomorrow—you can do both. 

Q10: The ONE Platform is known for both cutting technical costs and driving new revenue and margin opportunities. How does it manage to deliver both? 

Schafer: Most platforms do one or the other but rarely both. Because the ONE Platform is AI-native and built on a strong master data management foundation, it eliminates redundant tools and endless integrations. That slashes IT complexity and cost. At the same time, our extensible enterprise solutions like product information management, merchandising, lifecycle pricing, and order management help teams grow revenue through better, faster decision-making. It’s a double win. 

Q11: Retail, CPG, and healthcare are your core industries today. Is the platform flexible for others?

Schafer: Absolutely. Digital Wave Technology’s platform is industry agnostic.  We’re seeing interest from QSR, hospitality, casinos, automotive, and financial services because the core needs are the same: trusted data, AI that executes, and the ability to innovate fast. Our platform is designed to flex across industries without custom rebuilds. 

Q12: Embracing AI can feel overwhelming. What is your advice to leaders who want to get started or advance their AI journey?

Schafer: Start with what moves the needle. Whether you are just beginning or looking to scale your AI efforts, we meet companies where they are. The ONE™ Platform helps you focus on high-impact use cases—like automating product content, optimizing pricing, or improving assortment planning—without needing to overhaul everything at once. You can move at your own pace while still seeing tangible results quickly. And for those already on the journey, we help you take the next leap—unlocking Agentic AI, advanced analytics, and end-to-end execution at scale. The key is to start—and keep moving. The companies that act now will lead tomorrow. 

Q13: What is your bold prediction for the next phase of commerce and digital execution?

Schafer: The next few years will separate the fast from the stagnant. Companies that embrace intelligent platforms will innovate rapidly, personalize at scale, and expand profitably. Those who cling to legacy systems will fall behind. My prediction? The winners will be those who build a flexible digital core and that is exactly what we’re delivering at Digital Wave Technology. The future belongs to those who can unify their data, deploy AI with purpose, and execute without friction. We are delivering that future with the ONE Platform—built for right now and ready for what is next. 

Conclusion

As this conversation makes clear, the future of commerce, whether in retail, CPG, or healthcare, will belong to companies that combine intelligence, agility, and strategic execution. Digital Wave Technology is empowering that shift with the ONE Platform, a purpose-built ecosystem designed to cut costs, drive revenue, and turn data into a competitive advantage. If you’re ready to modernize your operations and lead with AI, now is the time. 

👉 Schedule a demo today and discover how the ONE Platform can help your business move faster, smarter, and more profitably.