Supply Chain

How to Build Sustainable Supply Chains That Are Consistent With Consumer Values
December 16, 2020 at 8:24 pm

Sustainability — the act of maintaining resources to prevent depletion — has become an important factor in consumer purchasing decisions. Consumers appreciate it when businesses put in the effort to be more socially and environmentally responsible. According to a report by Capgemini, nearly four out of five consumers (79 percent) adjust their purchase preferences based…

Best Buy Store Associates to Make Home Deliveries
December 10, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Best Buy is bolstering its delivery options with just a few weeks left in the holiday shopping season. The Richfield, Minnesota-based retailer has for years used its stores as de facto warehouses for its e-commerce business; it's one of the ways Best Buy has held its ground against rivals like Amazon.com. Now it's taking the…

Amazon Sellers Are Concerned About Limited Warehouse Space
December 9, 2020 at 7:40 pm

Several Amazon.com sellers are concerned over a recent policy change, CNBC reported. The policy is meant to help the e-commerce giant save space in its warehouses as it faces a pandemic-fueled surge in online orders alongside the usual peak holiday shopping season. In August, Amazon announced it would be enforcing stricter quantity limits on shipments from…

Retailers Are in Danger of Being Overwhelmed by Holiday Demand. Automation is the Fix 
December 9, 2020 at 7:20 pm

Online retailers are facing a major capacity crisis this holiday season. Since COVID-19 hit, reduced headcount and social distancing practices within the walls of warehouses and distribution centers mean retail businesses are already struggling to manage the stresses and strains of increased e-commerce demand. Capacity issues are largely linked to an inability to process sudden…

5 Credit and Payment Strategies to Help Suppliers Avoid Bad Debt
December 8, 2020 at 12:40 pm

It’s not uncommon for retailers to ask for additional time to pay their invoices. However, if retailers can’t pay, that puts bad debt on suppliers’ books. Research shows that more than one-third (36 percent) of accounts receivables (A/R) departments write off up to 25 percent of their receivables as bad debt each year. During an…

Top 5 Ways to Survive 'Shipageddon'
December 1, 2020 at 2:04 pm

By now you should have your logistical ducks in a row — fulfillment and shipping processes in place, seasonal help on board, forklift drivers ready to roll, etc. (If not, bookmark this page, go do that now, then come back!) But are you ready to survive “shipageddon,” the combination of the expected massive increase in…

Retail's Silver Lining During 2020
November 19, 2020 at 11:02 am

It’s safe to say that 2020 has taken the country — and the entire world — by storm. We’re currently eight months into the COVID-19 global pandemic, and while a majority of people are yearning for a return to “normalcy,” there are many industries and businesses that simply will not, retail included. Ongoing research surveys…

The New Era of Retailing: Innovations and Predictions for the Future
November 11, 2020 at 11:31 am

For years the retail industry has experienced significant transformation in order to keep up with consumer demands and expectations, and while some have found success, others haven’t been nearly as lucky. Amidst a world-altering pandemic, however, the entire industry has been challenged in unexpected ways. Issues surrounding everything from operations, sourcing, supply chain, fulfillment, supply/demand,…

Preparing for Holiday Shopping (and Shipping) During a Pandemic
November 10, 2020 at 11:37 am

As we approach this year’s holiday season, one thing is certain: holiday shopping will be anything but traditional. Consistent ebbs and flows in retail sales, paired with COVID-19 resurgences across the U.S., have completely transformed consumer behavior as we know it — paving the way for an unprecedented holiday shopping experience. According to our latest…