Supply Chain

By now you should have your logistical ducks in a row — fulfillment and shipping processes in place, seasonal help on board, forklift drivers ready to roll, etc. (If not, bookmark this page, go do that now, then come back!) But are you ready to survive “shipageddon,” the combination of the expected massive increase in…

It’s safe to say that 2020 has taken the country — and the entire world — by storm. We’re currently eight months into the COVID-19 global pandemic, and while a majority of people are yearning for a return to “normalcy,” there are many industries and businesses that simply will not, retail included. Ongoing research surveys…

For years the retail industry has experienced significant transformation in order to keep up with consumer demands and expectations, and while some have found success, others haven’t been nearly as lucky. Amidst a world-altering pandemic, however, the entire industry has been challenged in unexpected ways. Issues surrounding everything from operations, sourcing, supply chain, fulfillment, supply/demand,…

As we approach this year’s holiday season, one thing is certain: holiday shopping will be anything but traditional. Consistent ebbs and flows in retail sales, paired with COVID-19 resurgences across the U.S., have completely transformed consumer behavior as we know it — paving the way for an unprecedented holiday shopping experience. According to our latest…

Look at how a robust software solution identifies stores in greatest need of a visit and “prescribes” actions for store operations.

As COVID-19 rapidly spread across the globe, consumers flocked to online retailers. Many of these homebound shoppers purchased everyday items online for the first time. In fact, data shows that more than a third of shoppers made their first online grocery purchase this past March. Although some retailers were ready for the influx of online…

The back-to-school shopping season certainly looked dim this year, with many students not returning to the classroom. As we now look toward the holiday season, we can expect a change in holiday shopping habits, too. However, unlike back-to-school shopping, which essentially relies on being able to physically go back to school, holiday shopping will occur…

The COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-century event that will likely change shopping patterns in ways we couldn’t have predicted even as recently as 2019. However, the virus is just the latest disruptive force in an already risky global retail environment. While we know that the crisis will ultimately end and that the business of commerce…

Beginning in late July, a number of major retailers announced they will be closing stores on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in years. Walmart kicked it all off, stating it will be closing its stores on the U.S. holiday for the first time in 30 years, with many other retailers, including Target, quick to…

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies should be eager to reclaim the customer relationship from retailers and innovate through strategies such as direct-to-consumer e-commerce, especially given heightened urgency resulting from COVID-19. Strategically collecting and understanding customer data creates value for all parties through direct feedback on consumer behavior. Consumers are better understood and served, while CPG…