Retail Supply Chain Insights Guest Contributors

1. How To Mitigate The Effects Of The Bullwhip Phenomenon 9/11/2019

   A common phenomenon in all supply chains is the amplification and distortion of demand fluctuations. These start off small at the retail level and amplify further up the chain. When cracking a bullwhip, the handle of the whip moves 60 degrees yet the tip of the whip moves at 360 degrees so the terms bullwhip effect is most befitting. The impact at the retail level is low and escalates further up the supply chain with the manufacturer suffering the most.

2. Insights From The Gartner Supply Chain Conference: Digitization And Intelligence Pave The Road To Customer-Centric Supply Chains 6/26/2019

   It’s time for supply chains to break out of the mindset of being led by the transaction. The message resonated when Gartner’s Tom Enright and Bart DeMuynck presented a look into what’s on the horizon as supply chains grow more intelligence-driven and begin to utilize those insights to serve customers in new and innovative ways.

3. Omnichannel Offers Retailers A Way To Compete 4/16/2019

   As retailers large and small contend with the disruptive force that is Amazon, they’re looking into various ways to deliver a unique omnichannel experience. The omnichannel combines physical stores with mobile apps, websites and social media to create a consistent experience for customers as they switch between channels to interact with a retailer.

4. Backlash Against Cashless Stores Grows 3/20/2019

   In this digital age, cash still represents 30% of all retail store transactions and 55% of transactions under $10. Cash also accounts for almost half (41%) of fast food purchases and a third of transactions (33%) at convenience stores. As mobile wallets and other cash alternatives are introduced, the trend raises the very real question of whether cash needs legislative protection. In a growing number of municipalities and States the answer is yes.

5. Do You Have A Love-Hate Relationship With Vendor-Funded Promotions? 2/21/2019

   Do you look forward to or dread managing vendor-funded promotions in your retail business? They can be a great sales driver, but they also can be complicated and time-consuming to manage

6. 4 Ways To Address The Warehouse Labor Shortage 10/11/2018

   Automation and new recruitment/retention strategies can help address the supply chain labor crunch.

7. Mispicks: What They Really Mean For Your DC 10/11/2018

   The cost of picking and shipping errors go far beyond returns processing. Here’s why.

8. Last Mile Delivery: How To Efficiently Deliver To High Expectations 8/13/2018

   In today’s world, traffic is faster, food delivery is held to incredibly quick standards and when we order something online – we expect it at our door within two days. Many retailers and manufacturers are struggling to keep up, and their customer service is lacking when they fall short. Indications are that accelerated demands will become normalized. In fact, a recent Logistics Viewpoints report shows that 50 percent of millennials still desire even quicker deliveries.

9. Transform Your Parcel Packaging Process With Today's Top Fulfillment Technology: Automated Packaging 8/13/2018

   Today we hear a lot about the Amazon Effect and its popular two-day shipping policy, but what we don’t hear is how companies are keeping up with this instant-everything expectation and how warehouse automation affects shipping outcomes. Whether it’s shipping automation or packaging, every process plays its role in today’s top goals of decreasing costs, improving efficiencies and impressing customers.

10. Ship From Store: Retail's Necessity For Survival 8/13/2018

    Now more than ever, retailers are feeling the pressure to measure up to international competitors like Amazon. However, many still rely on central distribution centers, causing orders to oftentimes travel thousands of miles to reach their destination. This takes unnecessary time and money spent on shipping, and when customers are expecting their packages quickly and affordably, you need an array of distribution tactics to fulfill those orders. The million-dollar question is this: how do you fulfill customer needs while improving efficiencies and cutting costs? The answer is to think local – and that’s where in-store fulfillment comes into play.