Category Management Software Market Report 2026

The category management software market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.46 billion in 2025 to $2.8 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of erp and retail management systems, growing need for data-driven decision making in retail, expansion of organized retail sector, rising competition among cpg companies, demand for operational efficiency in category management.

The category management software market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.35 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to adoption of AI-powered category management solutions, integration of cloud-based and saas platforms, emphasis on personalized customer experiences, rise of omnichannel retailing, implementation of predictive analytics for inventory and pricing. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced category analytics and insights, automated pricing and promotion optimization, supplier collaboration and performance management, customer-centric product assortment planning, omni-channel integration and inventory optimization.

The surge in the number of retail stores is poised to propel the growth of the category management software market in the foreseeable future. Retail stores, whether physical or online, serve as establishments where businesses directly sell goods and services to consumers. This increase in retail store numbers is attributed to growing consumer demand for convenient shopping options and retailers' endeavors to expand their presence and penetrate new markets. Category management software plays a pivotal role in streamlining inventory, establishing competitive prices, and optimizing store layouts, thereby driving enhanced sales and profitability for retail stores. For example, as per a report published by the National Association of Convenience Stores, a US-based trade association, in January 2024, convenience stores in the United States experienced a 1.5% uptick, reaching a total count of 152,396 in 2024 compared to the previous year. Consequently, the proliferation of retail stores is a key factor fueling the growth of category management software.

Leading companies in the category management software market are strategically focusing on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to develop AI-powered category management software, aiming to bolster efficiency and optimize decision-making processes. AI-powered category management software leverages artificial intelligence algorithms and techniques to enhance the category management process in retail settings. For instance, in January 2024, Symphony Innovation LLC, an India-based provider of predictive intelligence software solutions, unveiled the category manager copilot system in collaboration with the Microsoft Azure Open AI service. This system employs both text and graphics to swiftly analyze user queries and pinpoint performance-affecting factors within a product category. Serving as a virtual assistant, the copilot empowers category managers to expedite tasks, simplifying processes and enabling a focus on high-value strategic activities instead of mundane operational tasks.

In January 2024, ITONICS GmbH, a Germany-based SaaS provider specializing in systematic innovation management, acquired Braineet for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition positions ITONICS to enhance its innovative management capabilities by integrating Braineet's expertise in crowdsourcing and innovation portfolio management. The acquisition also aims to establish a comprehensive platform offering cutting-edge tools for open innovation, strategy development, and digital transformation. Braineet, based in France, specializes in offering category management software solutions, further enriching ITONICS' product portfolio and expanding its market reach.

Major companies operating in the category management software market are International Business Machines Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, Capgemini SE, Cognizant, Zebra Technologies Corporation, Nielsen Holdings plc, SAS Institute Inc, Teradata Corporation, Information Resources Inc, Epicor Software Corporation, Manhattan Associates Inc, Qlik Technologies Inc, Anaplan Inc, MicroStrategy Incorporated, Aptos LLC, Vistex Inc, AFS Technologies, Jaggaer LLC, Infor, RELEX Solutions, SymphonyAI Retail CPG, Board International, Jedox AG, TCS Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro Limited, Snowflake Inc, Salesforce Inc.

Europe was the largest region in the category management software market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the category management software market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the category management software market report are Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.

The category management software market consists of revenues earned by entities providing services such as data analysis and insights, strategic planning, procurement optimization, and inventory management, which are used to streamline and enhance processes related to category management. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The category management software market also includes sales of servers, storage solutions, software licenses, and networking components that are used in providing category management software services. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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