Supply Chain

5 Credit and Payment Strategies to Help Suppliers Avoid Bad Debt
December 8, 2020 at 12:40 pm

It’s not uncommon for retailers to ask for additional time to pay their invoices. However, if retailers can’t pay, that puts bad debt on suppliers’ books. Research shows that more than one-third (36 percent) of accounts receivables (A/R) departments write off up to 25 percent of their receivables as bad debt each year. During an…

Top 5 Ways to Survive 'Shipageddon'
December 1, 2020 at 2:04 pm

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…

Retail's Silver Lining During 2020
November 19, 2020 at 11:02 am

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…

The New Era of Retailing: Innovations and Predictions for the Future
November 11, 2020 at 11:31 am

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,…

Preparing for Holiday Shopping (and Shipping) During a Pandemic
November 10, 2020 at 11:37 am

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…

E-Commerce Success = Enriched Product Content and a Safeguarded Supply Chain
October 20, 2020 at 10:40 am

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…

How Retail Can Survive the Holiday Season By Leaning on Technology
October 12, 2020 at 10:28 am

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…

Retail and the Supply Chain: Don’t Wait Until the Next Bad Thing Happens!
October 1, 2020 at 10:33 am

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…

Rethinking Peak E-Commerce Operations in Light of COVID-19
September 28, 2020 at 2:54 pm

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…