Americans are now living in the fragmented states of America, and the implications for retailers and brands are life-altering. Retailers will need to do even more to make themselves compelling and convenient to an increasingly diverse set of niches.
Unless your company plans to run a totally automated warehouse, it's important to look beyond equipment speeds and feeds, and consider ergonomic factors, such as equipment design and feel, and the workflows employees follow to complete their daily tasks. A few tweaks could make a world of difference not just in productivity, but safety too.
A well-known, top 10 retailer was experiencing significant problems with its voice and data (bar code scanners and printers) mobile devices in its scores of distribution centers and thousands of stores nationwide. It no longer needs to worry about its mobile batteries or chargers as they now have a complete, holistic solution.
In the apparel industry, distribution to multiple destinations has to be precise and fast. The customers of a famous clothing manufacturer in Japan asked their department stores and wholesalers to examine their logistics management to try and improve accuracy and the speed of deliveries.
Simply put, omni-channel retailing done right increases profits. Actually doing it right is the challenge. Shoppers have been trained to demand the right to buy anywhere and get anything. Retailers must meet customer demands or be prepared to lose a sale and perhaps the customer for the long term. Customers are loyal to exceptional service and price, and are no longer tied to any particular retailer or brand. This demand for service has created an urgency that retailers must meet, and it begins with the supply chain.
If there's any doubt about the impact of cash management solutions on the cost structure of retailers, consider this recent finding by IHL Group: Replacing manual processes with automation technology can save retailers an average of 200 to 500 labor hours monthly per store.
Article | By Matt Mullen, Neopost Commerce & Shipping
It seems like every day I see a story about a new service, product, or feature Amazon is bringing to the market. But all this news can be summed up in one way: Amazon doesn't follow the leader; they are the leader. They consistently transform their business to match what their customers want, and they do it quickly.
