Inventory Management

Some retail brands are born in boardrooms, others are created in more unconventional circumstances — and J Brooks Boutique, an Atlanta-based online fashion business, is one of those brands. In 2016, its founder, Jessica (Jes) Brooks, bought a sewing machine from a catalog using points she earned as a reward for her performance in her…

What a difference a year or two can make. During 2020 and 2021, retailers struggled to keep up with demand for many items, largely due to supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages. Shortly after the pandemic started and through last year, a significant reduction of markdowns and in-store promotions took place because retailers could leverage…

The pandemic has introduced a number of challenges for retailers, from the chip shortage to in-demand items being out-of-stock to now severe overstocking that's forcing some retailers to cancel orders in an effort to save profits. The retail market continues to change rapidly along with the uncertain economy, and this is driving ebbs and flows…

Just like that, the holidays are around the corner. If you're an e-commerce merchant, these next few months should bring plenty of opportunities for you to sell. The bustling shopping season starts on Thanksgiving itself (yes, you better believe it) and lasts until Christmas. E-commerce sales during this period generally have been a boon for…

Despite the optimism within the retail industry that a return to normal might be seen at some point in 2022, as we move through the back half of the year, the state of the retail industry is perhaps in a more vexing and fragmented state than it was when the year began. After two-and-a-half years…

Nike reported last week a 44 percent increase in inventory compared to the prior year period, driven by an increase in inventories from ongoing supply chain volatility. As a result, the sportswear brand plans to ramp up discounting and promotions to clear out some of its $9.7 billion in footwear and apparel before the holidays. On…

Agility is the name of the game this year as brands prep for the peak season while navigating this volatile and uncertain market. As American consumers grew more pessimistic over the summer amid inflation and persistent supply chain disruptions, brands have learned some valuable lessons operating in the midst of uncertainty which can help them adjust to market…

Today’s consumer is far more informed, far more discerning, and has far more choices than just 20 years ago. The rise of e-commerce, social media, and digital marketplaces lowered the barriers to entry for new, innovative and nimble direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) brands, which has made the competitive landscape increasingly crowded. With the ability to now buy…

Remember the early days of the pandemic? The never-before-seen surge in online shopping meant retailers were overwhelmed with demand. Locked-down consumers, desperate for a distraction, scrambled for everything from at-home fitness equipment and game consoles to gazebos and scatter cushions — and warehouses were cleared of stock as supply chains buckled under the extraordinary pressure.…

One of the first references to Christmas in July was in an 1892 French opera when in response to children singing Christmas carols during the summer a character says, “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.” For retailers, the idea of planning Christmas in July is anything but rushing the season. A…