Supply Chain

How to Make Free Shipping Profitable, Part 10
May 27, 2020 at 5:25 pm

In the last installment of this 10-part series, I focus on emerging technologies and trends that will shape fulfillment in the coming months and years. These innovations enable merchants to fulfill orders faster while reducing costs, especially in the last mile and warehouse operations. Many large e-commerce merchants have started to adopt these technologies, and…

COVID-19 and Planning Now for the Future of Retail
May 22, 2020 at 3:34 pm

The current pandemic has caused major disruption across the globe, especially for retailers relying on supply chains to keep essential products on shelves for consumers in a time of critical need. Many businesses are quickly shifting their focus toward maintaining supply to meet demands, which are rapidly shifting. However, leaders should also view this as…

How Oz Medical Supply Diversified its Supply Chain to Meet Rising Demand
May 17, 2020 at 4:52 pm

In episode 247 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ismail Ozokur, CEO of Oz Medical Supply, a family-owned and operated medical supply and equipment distributor to all segments of the healthcare industry. Listen in as Ozokur discusses his career background, the history of the company, and Oz Medical's primary customers and products. He shares…

The Double-Sided Impact of COVID-19 on E-Commerce
May 14, 2020 at 5:04 pm

The COVID-19 outbreak has created unprecedented challenges for sellers of all sizes around the world. There are many businesses that have taken a hard hit as a result of these circumstances, but some sectors of the economy, like e-commerce, have experienced a boom in sales during the pandemic. Due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing,…

10 Reasons Retail Will Never Be the Same Post-COVID-19, Part 1
May 8, 2020 at 4:07 pm

The COVID-19 pandemic has been causing havoc across the globe, with countries, economies, people and businesses all bearing the brunt of this unforeseen crisis. The retail industry has been turned upside down, and retail businesses are scrambling to adapt to this new reality by finding sustainable ways to ensure business continuity. With home quarantines and…

Operational Efficiency in the Grocery Industry is Vital as Demand for Delivery Accelerates
May 7, 2020 at 7:49 pm

COVID-19 has upended the way consumers shop for everything, especially groceries. Last year, delivery represented 3 percent of U.S. grocery sales; in the last month, grocery delivery services like Instacart have shared statistics showing that 9 percent of U.S. grocery sales are now via delivery. As many consumers hesitate to return to any kind of…

Where Brands Can Exceed Customer Expectations During COVID-19
May 7, 2020 at 5:30 pm

COVID-19 has brought new challenges to every aspect of life, and at the same time created opportunities and momentum for new trends and innovations. In an age of social distancing, D-to-C brands are deprived of their routine face-to-face interactions with customers. While a myriad of products are available online, creating differentiation and providing value to…

Ten Thousand Villages Supports Artisan Suppliers During Uncertain Times
May 1, 2020 at 5:41 pm

In episode 245 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Paige McFarling, director of mission advancement at Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair trade organization that markets handcrafted products made by disadvantaged artisans from more than 120 artisan groups in more than 35 countries. Listen in as McFarling shares the brand's story and mission;…

4 Delivery Trends Retailers Need to Consider During COVID-19 Crisis
April 30, 2020 at 4:35 pm

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to sweep across the globe and leave chaos in its wake, there's a realization from everyone that the disruption isn't ending any time soon. For retailers, there have never been tougher climates to trade in — physical stores have been closed, consumer confidence is low, and peoples are spending less…

Brick-and-Mortar Must Repurpose Existing Employees for a New Retail Model
April 29, 2020 at 11:49 am

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the retail experience overnight. Suddenly, the standard for fulfillment is contactless delivery and curbside pickup. There’s also an overwhelming consumer demand for essential items, such as groceries, toilet paper, gloves, masks and hand sanitizer — a demand so great that not even an e-commerce behemoth like Amazon.com, which was forced…