Inventory Management

Despite the optimism within the retail industry that a return to normal might be seen at some point in 2022, as we move through the back half of the year, the state of the retail industry is perhaps in a more vexing and fragmented state than it was when the year began. After two-and-a-half years…

Nike reported last week a 44 percent increase in inventory compared to the prior year period, driven by an increase in inventories from ongoing supply chain volatility. As a result, the sportswear brand plans to ramp up discounting and promotions to clear out some of its $9.7 billion in footwear and apparel before the holidays. On…

Agility is the name of the game this year as brands prep for the peak season while navigating this volatile and uncertain market. As American consumers grew more pessimistic over the summer amid inflation and persistent supply chain disruptions, brands have learned some valuable lessons operating in the midst of uncertainty which can help them adjust to market…

Today’s consumer is far more informed, far more discerning, and has far more choices than just 20 years ago. The rise of e-commerce, social media, and digital marketplaces lowered the barriers to entry for new, innovative and nimble direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) brands, which has made the competitive landscape increasingly crowded. With the ability to now buy…

Remember the early days of the pandemic? The never-before-seen surge in online shopping meant retailers were overwhelmed with demand. Locked-down consumers, desperate for a distraction, scrambled for everything from at-home fitness equipment and game consoles to gazebos and scatter cushions — and warehouses were cleared of stock as supply chains buckled under the extraordinary pressure.…

One of the first references to Christmas in July was in an 1892 French opera when in response to children singing Christmas carols during the summer a character says, “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.” For retailers, the idea of planning Christmas in July is anything but rushing the season. A…

The news cycle is confusing. We hear warehouse vacancy rates are at a 27-year low. Then we read that new warehouses are being developed at record rates and that Amazon.com is shedding excess space. At the end of the day, the lived experience of most retailers and merchants is that capacity is tight — and expensive.…

In 2022, the blueprint to retail success is evolving before our eyes. The ripple effects of a two-year global pandemic coupled with rapid accelerations in digital transformation have shifted the paradigm for consumer expectations. Now more than ever, customers desire seamless and personalized experiences at every touchpoint of their buyer’s journey. Whether it’s in-store, on…

Excess inventory. Losing pace with shifts in customer behavior. Erosion of gross margin. Selling on markdowns. Missing forecasts. No time for innovation. What do these have in common? These are the symptoms of a retailer suffering from a lack of speed. Speed to market, that is. If you skim recent headlines, this is what you’ll…

What if retailers could increase their full-margin sales by making informed, customer-centric predictions about what shoppers are likely to buy in the coming months? It's being done already by forward-looking retailers and brands that have invested in transforming how they forecast retail demand. It all starts with understanding why, not what they’re buying. Due to unpredictable…