Max’s story begins with a programmer’s curiosity. While working in IT at a retail company, he noticed systemic inefficiencies—millions in unproductive inventory, siloed decision-making, and a heavy reliance on Excel. This sparked the idea for a smarter solution. Fast forward 26 years, and 7thonline is now trusted by brands like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Canada Goose, and more.

“Retailers are still stuck on Excel. And Excel is the source of most inventory problems.” – Max Ma

The Problem: Excel is Still in Charge

Despite massive advancements in retail technology, Max highlights a reality few discuss: 70–80% of retailers still rely on Excel to make million-dollar inventory decisions. “It creates silos, errors, and a total lack of control,” Max says. “Our goal was to replace Excel—without intimidating the user.”

7thonline mimics the Excel interface while running a powerful AI-driven engine beneath the surface. The result? Fast adoption, deeper data insights, and smarter forecasting.

The Solution: Smarter Planning Through AI

Max and his team began integrating AI into their system over 20 years ago—long before AI became a buzzword.

“AI isn't new. Our team has worked with it for 30 years. The difference now is people are finally paying attention.” – Max Ma

One standout feature? Test Buy Forecasting, which helps brands identify top-selling products within the first two weeks of launch. That agility alone has helped clients:

✅ Increase gross margins by 30–35%
✅ Reduce pre-season buys by half
✅ Allocate budgets dynamically based on real-time demand

Real Results: Case Studies That Matter

7thonline isn’t just theory—it’s delivering real-world results. One client saved $1 per garment by placing production just one week earlier. With millions of units sold annually, that adds up fast.

In another case, a brand used 7thonline’s AI forecasting for a single product category of 30 styles. In just four weeks, they generated $320,000 in additional sales—a number that speaks louder than any sales pitch.

The Future: AI-Powered Trend Mining

The next big thing? Max is excited about new LLM (large language model) features that act like an intelligent co-planner for merchandisers. The platform will soon be able to:

• Analyze macro trends from the internet and social media
• Identify new product opportunities
• Suggest seasonal forecasting based on current market shifts

“AI will not replace people—but it will amplify their decisions. That’s where the future lies.”

With 26 years in business, Max has weathered it all—from 9/11 to the pandemic. His advice to founders?

“Stay in there. Don’t give up. And always take a long-term view. Real value creation takes time, consistency, and courage.”

Whether you're in SaaS, fashion, or enterprise tech—this episode is a masterclass in strategic scaling, product vision, and staying power.