Inventory Management

A boom in online shopping or will there be a return to in-store shopping in the lead up to Christmas this year? We all know that more and more buying decisions start online. According to our latest research, that figure sits at a hefty 84 percent. With inflationary pressure continuing to overshadow the public purse,…

As part of its 2023 Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers report, Total Retail assessed leading retailers and brands across a host of operational criteria. One of those criteria was the ability for consumers to view in-store inventory availability and stock levels from a retailer's website and/or app. Inventory transparency is critical to not only the customer-facing…

Retail theft has been a major problem, particularly since the pandemic, costing retailers $112.1 billion in 2022. A number of retail giants have announced they're closing stores across major cities due to theft and organized retail crime. But recent analysis shows that theft is only one of many factors behind these shutdowns. The combination of inflation,…

In the fast-paced world of modern retail, the competition is fierce, customer expectations are higher than ever, and technology continues to reshape the landscape. For retailers, maintaining margin integrity and ensuring efficient operations in an omnichannel fulfillment environment has become an imperative. While organizations have spent the last several years investing in technology to see,…

In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Shikha Jain, partner and head of North American retail and consumer at Simon-Kucher, a global commercial growth and strategy consulting firm. Listen in as Jain discusses the work that Simon-Kucher does with retail organizations and the positive impact that it has had on…

The retail landscape is swiftly gearing up for its busiest time of year, punctuated by Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). New research paints a picture of an industry feeling the pressure, grappling with economic hurdles, data inconsistencies, and rising costs. Amidst global supply chain disruptions, fluctuating consumer demands and spending, the urgency for brands…

Engagement ring spending in the United States rose 9.2 percent in 2022 year-over-year, according to the latest data from The Wedding Report, and another 2 million-plus weddings are likely for 2023. As a result, there are going to be lots of young couples walking into jewelry stores with that gleam in their eyes, ready to…

Parents sending their kids back to school are in no mood for shopping shenanigans this year. Shoppers who might tolerate long lines, high prices, and crowded parking lots have no patience for retailers that advertise products they then don’t have in stock. That's why many retailers use modern inventory data management tools to help ensure…

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses have been put through the ringer in recent years with unpredictability abound. Between supply chain disruptions, the rising costs of goods and services, and shipping delays due to global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War, many businesses have been struggling to survive. To further complicate business operations, consumer spending…

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…