Supply Chain

Managing inventory well is one of the most important ways to ensure the success of your business. With supply chain disruptions happening across every industry due to the pandemic, effective inventory management is more important than ever. Purchase orders are among the most powerful tools for mastering inventory management, tracking inventory, and maintaining strong retailer-vendor relationships. A purchase order is a legally binding document that outlines…

As the U.S. economy rebounds, inflation has become a significant concern for consumers as prices have soared across many sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation rose 8.5 percent over the last 12 months, with fuel, shelter and food driving most price increases. Energy costs alone rose 32 percent in the previous 12…

While retailers and logistics organizations have been grappling with home delivery challenges for years, the ripple effect of the pandemic-driven global supply chain disruptions, coupled with the ever-widening appeal of e-commerce, has created a “make-or-break” situation for e-commerce retailers. Indeed, a new study by Descartes and SAPIO Research of 8,000 North American and European consumers…

In this episode of Retail Right Now, Total Retail's Joe Keenan and Devon Russell discuss an article recently published by Total Retail titled, “To Build Customer Loyalty, Focus on Getting Back to the Basics of Last Mile Delivery,” authored by Lukas Kinigadner, CEO and co-founder of Anyline. Getting the last-mile delivery process right is critical to…

A global influx of e-commerce sales, mixed with the hyperfocus on getting orders faster to consumers spotlights a growing problem: returns. Online returns have always been a challenge, but with the expectation that they will exceed $1T by 2024, retailers need more than new policies, they need solutions. The rapid evolution of the online shopping…

Shipping speeds matter. As more and more people turn to online shopping instead of taking a trip to the store, consumer expectations are changing. With e-commerce marketplaces such as Amazon.com offering same-day and one-day shipping options, consumers are shifting their expectations to follow suit. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Retail Industry Leaders…

Supply chain challenges are nothing new for businesses of all kinds, especially retailers. Rising gas prices have added fuel to that fire, increasing the price of getting goods to their destination. One emerging solution is hyperlocal batching and fulfillment, which reduces the distance goods must travel and the total delivery miles driven. Ultimately, this strategy…

Endless articles and news coverage about the supply chain have surfaced over the last six months, so what's left to be said about the topic? Actually, a lot. The real issue with the supply chain begins at the source and, sourcing, at most companies, rarely has a seat at the proverbial table. Much like the…

While only a few months ago U.S. retailers were scrambling to fill their shelves due to supply chain delays, many are now facing inventory surpluses and having to discount unsold goods, according to a Reuters report. Average retail inventories have been rising quickly, too. The Reuters article cited research from Citi that found 11 of…

Buying goods online is now easier than ever before — but customers expect a smooth shopping experience at every step. The e-commerce industry is growing at a rate of about 20 percent per year. In fact, it’s estimated that this year alone, it will account for $1.0 trillion in the United States. But how often…