When you look back at some of the iconic films and TV series from the 60s to the 80s like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek and Back to the Future, it's surprising how many'futuristic' inventions that seemed fantastical are now a reality, or close to being so. We haven't achieved a time machine or teleporter yet, but flying cars, wearable computers and fully automated factories are here to stay. And, if Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are successful in their new ventures, we'll soon have human brain/computer interfaces. This kind of innovation isn't just happening in the world of technology, it's also being applied to the field of data science. With major advances in computing power and self-correcting algorithms, it is now possible for retailers to use predictive analytics to fine-tune their forecasting, replenishment and price/promotions decisions to improve efficiency and increase margins and revenue.