Inventory Management

Inventory distortion is a critical problem for retailers and, if left unaddressed, it will only worsen. The term refers to the total business costs resulting from both overstocking and stockouts. Just last year, the cost of inventory distortion in retail amounted to $1.7 trillion worldwide. Inventory distortion can significantly impact retailers’ profitability. Excess inventory leads…

The retail industry faces mounting pressure to maintain precise control over inventory as it moves through increasingly complex supply chains. Today's retailers need real-time visibility into both location and condition of goods — from distribution centers to store shelves. Traditional approaches to inventory management often create blind spots between key handoff points, leading to operational…

Retailers are under constant pressure to balance maintaining adequate stock levels with minimizing the financial burden of unsold inventory. This challenge has become even more critical in a fast-paced retail environment shaped by omnichannel demand and fluctuating customer preferences. To navigate this complexity, many retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Walgreens, are turning more to scan-based…

With the holiday season upon us, retailers are presented with one of the year’s biggest opportunities to drive revenue and customer loyalty. To master this seasonal rush, thoughtful planning across inventory, staffing, marketing and customer experience is key. Here’s how retailers can strategically navigate these elements to make the most of the holiday season. Start…

At the top of a retailer’s wish list for the holiday season would surely be that supply meets demand, particularly as the holiday season will have five fewer shopping days than other years. Many retailers are already on it with promotional offers to entice consumers into early holiday shopping. However, early promotions and seasonal spikes,…

Artificial intelligence is more than a buzzword in retail; it's a game changer. AI-powered technologies are helping retailers enhance operational efficiency and improve everything from inventory management to marketing to customer service to driving sales and margin. However, AI’s ability to work faster and more efficiently than humanly possible has led to the persistent myth…

We’ve all been there as consumers — you stop by the store to pick up three ingredients for dinner, but discover one isn’t on the shelf. You may ask customer service whether there are extras in the back, but because most retailers take a just-in-time approach to inventory management, you’re likely out of luck. Retailers…

Retailers face immense opportunities and significant challenges heading into the holiday season. Put simply, the sales volume retailers see is typically far greater than the rest of the year, so preparations must be tight. A successful holiday sales season requires thoughtful planning and strategic use of technology to optimize operations, manage inventory, and protect against…

This holiday season will bring some unusual stressors for brands, especially those that don’t wield the same negotiating power as the biggest retail names. And with the peak season fast approaching, brand decision-makers need to prep quickly to make sure their inventory plans and logistics operations are synchronized and primed to ensure a seamless customer…

In recent years, delays and disruptions in the global supply chain have wreaked havoc on product lead times and threatened total paralysis for industries. Bottlenecks due to global conflict, shipping container shortages, never-before-seen port congestion, lack of infrastructure, and limited transport capacity and skilled labor are just a few examples of the chaotic economic environment…