Nordstrom Leverages AI to Boost Procurement Visibility and Agility

Chief Procurement Officer Karoline Dygas discusses the retailer's use of AI to enhance sourcing strategies and spend analytics.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Nordstrom has been increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) within its procurement spend analytics software, according to VP and Chief Procurement Officer Karoline Dygas. The technology is helping the retailer build more robust sourcing category strategies and providing greater visibility into spending, while also assisting Dygas in researching suppliers prior to meetings. Nordstrom currently accesses AI through its procurement intelligence software and is looking to expand its use of the technology, including exploring predictive and prescriptive AI capabilities to enhance procurement agility and resiliency.

Why it matters

As retailers face ongoing supply chain challenges, the ability to leverage AI-powered tools for procurement can provide a competitive advantage through improved sourcing strategies, spend visibility, and operational flexibility. Nordstrom's adoption of these technologies underscores the growing importance of embracing AI across the retail industry.

The details

Nordstrom's Chief Procurement Officer Karoline Dygas stated that the company has been "using artificial intelligence quite heavily" within its procurement spend analytics software. This technology is helping the retailer build more effective sourcing category strategies and providing the procurement team with greater visibility into spending patterns. Dygas also noted that the AI-powered tools assist her in researching suppliers before meetings, as the system "spits out so much information that it would really take me hours to compile." Looking ahead, Dygas wants to further expand Nordstrom's use of AI, including exploring predictive and prescriptive capabilities that can enhance the company's procurement agility and resiliency. However, Dygas emphasized that any AI tool must demonstrate strong data governance to ensure accuracy, security, and protection of the company's data.

  • Nordstrom has been using AI in its procurement processes for an unspecified period of time.
  • Dygas discussed Nordstrom's AI initiatives at the Manifest 2026 conference in Las Vegas.

The players

Karoline Dygas

VP and Chief Procurement Officer at Nordstrom.

Nordstrom

A major American department store chain that has been leveraging AI to boost its procurement capabilities.

Suplari

The procurement intelligence software provider that Nordstrom currently uses to access AI-powered tools.

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What they’re saying

“It spits out so much information that it would really take me hours to compile.”

— Karoline Dygas, VP and Chief Procurement Officer (Manifest 2026)

“As you know, procurement is not really linear, and most of the tools are built to be linear, and I'm trying to find a solution that will allow us the agility and the resiliency to be flexible in how we approach supporting our business with our sourcing and procurement needs.”

— Karoline Dygas, VP and Chief Procurement Officer (Manifest 2026)

“I want AI to tell me what I need to know. Right now, we're telling it what we need to know. That defeats the purpose.”

— Karoline Dygas, VP and Chief Procurement Officer (Manifest 2026)

What’s next

Nordstrom is exploring the use of predictive and prescriptive AI capabilities to further enhance its procurement agility and resiliency. The company is also seeking procurement process orchestration tools that can provide more flexibility and adaptability compared to traditional linear procurement systems.

The takeaway

Nordstrom's adoption of AI-powered procurement tools underscores the growing importance of leveraging advanced technologies to improve sourcing strategies, spend visibility, and operational flexibility in the retail industry. As supply chain challenges persist, retailers that can effectively harness the power of AI are poised to gain a competitive advantage.