Inventory Management

The last two years have been a roller coaster for fashion brands. The supply chain disruptions of 2021 led to many merchants struggling to get their hands on enough inventory, and then overbuying to compensate. Now, with an economic downturn looming and the threat of reduced spending increasing, retailers that overstocked during the pandemic are…

It’s no secret that today’s retail margins are under intense pressure. They’ve been cut dramatically over the past decade, exacerbated by intense competition, higher fulfillment costs, and higher return rates. Furthermore, consumer behaviors and preference are rapidly changing and retailers are trying to adapt. In CommerceNext’s 2022 Digital Trends and Investment Priorities Report, 57 percent…

In this webinar attendees will hear real-world insights from retail executives on how their businesses are approaching 2023.

2022 was a tough year for retailers and e-commerce sellers. With supply chain snarls around the globe, they’ve struggled to get the products they need. Now that those snarls are easing and products are flowing, sellers face diminishing consumer demand, which poses the threat of inventory sitting around unsold. In a survey of retail executives…

Last year took grocery retailers for a wild ride as the industry worked to please shoppers amid turbulent times. The pandemic refused to go away. Inflation was higher than it has been in 40-plus years. Supply chain snarls continued. So, too, did the labor shortage. All these factors and more took a toll on the…

In episode 382 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Christina Chang, vice president, procurement and planning at Adore Me, a leading online women's intimates retailer and Certified B Corporation known for inclusive sizing. Chang discusses the Adore Me business and its products (0:45), her professional background and current role (1:40), and how inclusive…

Retailers’ bearings for demand forecasting are now better calibrated than they were just a couple of years ago, although shockwaves from supply chain and distribution disruptions persist in some areas. These challenges create a disconnect between what retailers think is the "new normal" vs. what their actual "new normal" likely is. This dichotomy hinders their ability…

Even with high levels of inflation and a recession predicted to bear down on us in 2023, consumers are eyeing this holiday season with eagerness — they’re ready and willing to splurge on holiday spending this year, according to a recent McKinsey report. Since this might be the last good time for retailers to cash in…

Recent headlines make excess inventory at major retailers sound like an issue that leadership should’ve seen coming. The reality, as is often the case with the headlines, is far more nuanced. There are many reasons at play for the excess of inventory, ranging from diminishing customer demand as COVID-19 restrictions ended and people shifted their…

What do changing customer behaviors, supply chain disruptions and cold weather have in common? They all greatly impact order management. With all three factors converging during the next few months, managing seasonal inventory can prove to be a major challenge for retailers. In a recent report about the 2022 holiday season, McKinsey shared that “consumer…