Auto-Allocation, ProfitMind & the Transformation Behind Bealls’ Off-Price Success | #40 Darrell Gold

How did auto allocation, AI, and smart planning help transformBealls into a true off-price leader? In this episode, Matt sits down withDarrell Gold — Senior Vice President of Merchandise Planning — to unpack the systems, decisions, and mindset shifts that reshaped the company.Darrell explains the early days of manual allocation, the leap to90% auto allocation, and how tools like ProfitMind are now acceleratingdecision-making across thousands of classes and stores. Together, they explore how planning became a strategic engine for speed, accuracy, and off-price excellence.They discuss:• How auto allocation increased efficiency and improved store-levelaccuracy• Why ProfitMind’s AI insights are reshaping the planning process• The partnership between merchants and planners — “the CFOs of thebuyers”• The evolution from heavy inventory to fast turns and freshreceipts• The cultural transformation toward openness, listening, andshared leadership• Becoming One Bealls and leveraging scale across planning andbuying• Darrell’s personal story, passions, and lifelong devotion tolearning and musicThis episode reveals the behind-the-scenes driving forces thathelped Bealls move faster, think smarter, and operate as an off-pricepowerhouse. Interested in a Career at Bealls? –https://www.beallsinc.com/beallsinc/careers Follow Bealls Legacy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bealls-legacy/  Episode Timeline:00:00 – Introductions06:34 - How has Technology Changed Planning?10:49 - ProfitMind12:55 - Leveraging AI20:04 - How are Stores Identified & Grouped?22:34 - Becoming One Bealls24:39 - Culturle at Bealls32:47 - Practices41:49 - Darrell Gold Outside of Bealls45:18 - Closing #BeallsLegacy #Leadership #PeopleFirst #Culture #PurposeDriven#ListenLearnLead #Teamwork #Inspiration #GrowthMindset #BeallsInc