Sales Forecasting Using Machine Learning

Sales Forecasting Using Machine Learning Dr. P.N. Shiammala Dr. P.N. Shiammala Department of Computer Application, VELS Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Subeesh Subeesh Department of Computer Application, VELS Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Sales forecasting plays a vital role in modern business environments, enabling organizations to predict future demand, optimize inventory, and improve decision-making processes. Accurate forecasting helps companies reduce operational risks, manage resources efficiently, and increase profitability. However, traditional forecasting techniques often rely on statistical models that are limited in handling complex and dynamic datasets. These methods may fail to capture hidden patterns, seasonal variations, and changing customer behaviors, leading to inaccurate predictions. With the advancement of technology, machine learning has emerged as a powerful approach for predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms can analyze large volumes of historical data, identify trends, and generate accurate predictions without explicit programming. This project focuses on developing a sales forecasting system using machine learning techniques to enhance prediction accuracy and reliability. The system utilizes historical sales data and applies algorithms such as Linear Regression, Decision Tree, and Random Forest to analyze patterns and forecast future sales. Data preprocessing techniques such as data cleaning, normalization, and feature selection are implemented to improve model performance. The models are evaluated using performance metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) to measure accuracy. The results indicate that machine learning models, particularly Random Forest, provide better accuracy compared to traditional methods. The system helps businesses improve inventory management, reduce financial risks, and make informed decisions. This project demonstrates the effectiveness of machine learning in sales forecasting and highlights its potential applications in real-world business scenarios. Keywords Sales Forecasting, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Linear Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Data Preprocessing, MAE, RMSE, Business Intelligence
05 04 2026 1 6 10.55041/ijcope.v2i5.033 https://ijcope.org/article/sales-forecasting-using-machine-learning/