Inventory Management

Small businesses are always looking for ways to work faster, smarter and scale their business — all while contending with countless headwinds. Aside from what you might expect, such as operating in a competitive market and ensuring customer preferences are met, small businesses today are facing confusing tariff changes, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs…

Inventory management has decisively moved out of the back-office and into the boardroom. In 2025, CEOs and CFOs routinely cite inventory strategy as a top priority in earnings calls and executive meetings, marking a sharp break from the era when stock control was considered a specialist’s job. This shift is driven by macroeconomic volatility, new…

Retailers are burning millions of advertising dollars every year promoting ads that can’t possibly convert. That’s because the products they’re promoting are already sold out. Recent data from ShoppingIQ found that between 5 percent and 12 percent of retail media budgets are being wasted on ads for products that are out of stock. During peak…

With fall officially underway, holiday prep is ramping up for retailers. Between tariff uncertainty, lingering supply chain issues, and a more values-driven consumer mindset, the road to a strong year-end starts now. Retailers that plan early and act intentionally will have the advantage. At Lightspeed, we work with thousands of retailers worldwide, giving us a…

It's still iced coffee season. Pavement is shimmering in the late summer heat. However, inside warehouses across the country, teams are already in holiday mode planning for a peak season that's coming faster than the first frost. This year, the usual holiday rush comes with an extra twist of a chaotic tariff climate. Sweeping increases…

From local businesses to popular big-box chains to luxury stores and everything in between, “success” looks vastly different for every retailer. Maintaining a strong brand reputation, attracting and retaining customers, and innovating and integrating new processes and technologies are key areas all retailers must prioritize to ensure long-term growth. However, what retailers often overlook are…

Remember when “let me check in the back” was the best shot at finding what you came for? That version of retail, where stores were showrooms and the backroom was just overflow, doesn’t cut it anymore. Today, every store is being asked to do more: fulfill online orders, manage tight delivery windows, and create a…

By now, retailers are used to disruption — from the pandemic to the Red Sea shipping crisis, instability has become the norm. This year, tariffs may cast a shadow over the holiday shopping season, creating more volatility. The reality is there will be factors out of their control; however, the more retailers can prepare for…

In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Rachel De Los Santos, senior director of client success at ESW, the global direct-to-consumer e-commerce leader. Listen in as De Los Santos provides an overview of her role (1:05), ESW's business offerings for retailers and brands (2:00), and what strategic inventory optimization looks…

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, gut feelings and guesswork are no longer enough to make effective business decisions. Success belongs to retailers that harness the power of data, turning insights into action to elevate customer experiences, streamline operations, and maximize profitability. Luxury U.K. brand Selfridges is a prime example of how collecting customer data can…