Inventory Management

Adore Me VP: 'Inclusive Sizing is an Operations Challenge, Not a Marketing Approach'
January 2, 2023 at 3:02 pm

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…

Bridging the Gap: How to Prepare for the Future of Demand Planning
December 30, 2022 at 11:18 am

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…

AI is the Key to Unlocking Consumer Spending This Holiday Season
December 19, 2022 at 10:31 am

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…

Retailers: Need to Fix Inventory Issues? Develop Full-Stack Merchants
December 15, 2022 at 4:36 pm

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…

How Dynamic Pricing Supports Seasonal Inventory Management
December 15, 2022 at 3:33 pm

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…

Price and Promotion Strategies to Make Sure Inventory Moves Before, During, and After the Holidays
December 14, 2022 at 3:57 pm

Today’s retailers are facing an urgent need to better understand customer behaviors. This holiday season, listening to what consumers want and need will be vital to predicting their purchasing decisions and ensuring your inventory is not under- or overstocked. However, many supply chain leaders are still relying on their instincts rather than the newest data.…

How “Co-Opetition” Can Help Overcome the Obstacle of Retail Overstock
December 8, 2022 at 12:14 pm

The retail industry has struggled to cope with the unprecedented changes in the last few years spurred by the pandemic, leading to a scarcity of goods and overstocking in many cases. Additionally, snarls in supply chains resulted in bulk purchases until inflation changed consumer shopping patterns. Failure to identify and forecast changes resulted in excess…

4 Ways Warehouses Are Surviving the Holiday Inventory Glut
December 8, 2022 at 11:38 am

Retail warehouse space during the holiday season is absolutely essential. The busiest time of the year typically sees retailers increase their inventory three to four times normal just to meet consumer demand. This year’s inventory glut created a tricky situation for the retail market. U.S. retailers saw a record $732 billion of inventory in 2022,…

3 Questions Retailers Must Be Asking Themselves This Holiday Season
November 29, 2022 at 7:39 pm

The last three holiday seasons have each been unique as the pandemic first roiled consumer behavior and then unleashed pent-up demand, all the while playing havoc with the economy. This year, with inflation rising and discretionary spending squeezed, retailers are already preparing for a slower holiday shopping season, and a new set of challenging dilemmas.…

Inflation is Changing the Way Consumers Spend Money — Here's How Retailers Can Cope
November 22, 2022 at 4:20 pm

With prolonged inflation, hiked interest rates, and an economic downturn, it's no wonder consumers are feeling an increased amount of stress when making purchases or buying services. And with the holiday season upon us, many are rethinking their spending habits even more than they already were. In fact, 60 percent of consumers say their priorities keep changing…