Inventory Management

It’s no surprise that starting preparations for the upcoming peak season immediately after the last is the surest way for retailers to see peak season success. However, this is often easier said than done. Ongoing economic turmoil and supply chain pressures continue to force brands big and small to focus on the here and now, often leaving little room…

In today's artificial intelligence-driven era, AI has become the go-to buzzword across industries. Retail is no exception, with a growing list of AI-based applications promising to revolutionize the way retailers operate. ShopMate, for example, uses AI to generate customizable shopping suggestions for e-commerce, personalizing the shopping experience for each customer. Branchbob.ai, an AI-powered platform, enables…

By the end of 2023, 20.8 percent of retail purchases are expected to occur online.  Experts predict that number will grow to 24 percent by 2026. On the logistics and supply chain management side, it means more customers will continue to expect top-notch service from click to doorstep. Efficiency is key to the success of any warehouse operation when it comes to order fulfilment. With the rapid advancement of technology globally, warehouses have access to a wide…

For three years, consumers have endured a crash course in supply chain economics. And while the COVID pandemic is no longer directly responsible for major disruptions, others have risen and fallen in a fluid counterpoint worthy of a Mozart symphony — from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to Chinese threats against Taiwan, inflationary trends to…

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and legacy retailers are looking to increase profitability, and they can do so by improving operational processes and reducing inefficiencies. Focusing on profitability should, in theory, always be the case, but it is especially true today as economic headwinds have retail executives focused on operational cost-savings more than growth. DTC brands are…

Inventory is everything in the retail world. Without it, retailers simply wouldn’t be in business. However, most retailers today struggle with inventory management. Rising consumer expectations have made omnichannel a must. Now, retailers need to make millions of decisions about thousands of SKUs, across every possible channel each day — making it harder than ever…

The retail industry’s commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) is unmatched, surpassing all industries except finance. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), a staggering $300 billion investment in AI is anticipated by 2026. This influx of resources promises to augment the relationship between humans and machines, delivering immense advantages to brands and consumers. There's a…

The last two years have been a roller coaster for online stores. The supply chain disruptions of 2021 led to many merchants struggling to get their hands on enough inventory, and then overbuying to compensate in 2022. But now, with an economic downturn looming and the threat of reduced consumer spending increasing, stores that overstocked…

The retail industry is a marathon, not a sprint. While retailers and brands can’t risk falling behind their competitors in the short term, they also must plan for the long haul. To achieve this, investments must be made in areas that improve customer retention and conversion and reduce operational costs over the long term. However,…

We’ve seen this one before: As prices rise and wallets shrink, consumers are changing their habits. However, not every industry is losing out. Shoppers are still spending, but they increasingly need discounts and convenience.  For dollar stores and convenience stores, this is their moment to shine. Here’s what they're up against and how they can keep…