Inventory Management

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is impacting businesses and communities across the world in ways that seemed unimaginable even a month ago. All industries are feeling its effects, but brands and retailers in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry are among those on the front lines of this fight. With consumer shopping habits fluctuating rapidly, there…

As the consumer mood in the U.S. around the COVID-19 outbreak has quickly shifted from curious to cautionary, retailers have a significant role to play in providing shoppers with a solution. U.S. exposure and response by federal and local governments continue to mount day-by-day, and therefore buying patterns are evolving rapidly as shoppers come to…

Global supply chains haven't had this much disruption since World War II, and the United States wasn’t as dependent on oversea goods and manufacturing then. On March 19, J.C. Penney announced that it was closing 850 stores, affecting 90,000 store associates. Sadly, J.C. Penney joins an illustrious group of retailers closing for several weeks to…

With current concerns about the impending severity of COVID-19, consumers are taking steps to prepare for personal impact — even to the point of major retailers selling out of supplies such as water and hand sanitizer. Another consideration for retailers, however, should be peripheral effects on the entirety of the supply chain, given China's heavy…

In the first few weeks of 2020, retailers are preparing for the challenges of the new decade. With an evolving consumer audience, more complicated supply chains, and international trade regulations, there are plenty of changes ahead. However, by examining the trends of 2019, the growth-oriented retailer can predict what consumers will want in 2020 and…

The rush of the holiday season has passed and your retail business is ready to dive headfirst into 2020 sales. If, like most retailers, you're planning to make this your best year yet, you're probably looking to significantly increase your volume of orders. It's a noble aspiration, however, if you're unprepared to meet these ever-growing…

For most retailers, holiday — also known as the golden quarter — is the make-or-break season. Retailers have been preparing for the upcoming holiday season for months, and for good reason. The period between Black Friday and Christmas can represent a significant chunk of sales revenue for a retailer. In 2018, consumers spent nearly $1…

In today’s digital world, data is worth its proverbial weight in gold. However, it’s not enough for retailers to just collect data to win the retail wars; they need to have a strategy to distill and apply insights from the data. For example, inventory data is particularly ripe for strategic use. By synthesizing information about…

With digital technology changing almost all aspects of our lives, it's not surprising that traditional retailing is being turned on its head. The familiar model that funnels customers along a linear path to buying is giving way to an exciting new paradigm of placing the individual at the center of a unified field of purchasing…

While the supply chains of all industries come with their share of challenges, seasonal suppliers face a particularly unique set of obstacles. Today, there are many companies that experience a recognizable “busy season” where spikes in customer demand occur. These periods typically fall around a major holiday or event such as Christmas, where certain retailers…