Supply Chain

From makeup and toothbrushes to mattresses and luggage, the direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) market has grown exponentially in recent years and the shopper experience today is unlike anything we’ve seen before — with virtually no signs of slowing. In fact, according to a 2019 report from eMarketer, there are well over 400 D-to-C companies today, and while…

COVID-19 has changed our world. It’s impacting life itself, including our ability to get access to the right essential goods. It has overwhelmed delivery and pickup networks. Some small, innovative businesses have been able to quickly adapt and focus strictly on curbside or pickup, while larger chains have been challenged to hire fast enough to…

In episode 244 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ben Scrivens, founder and president of Fright-Rags, a designer and producer of original and licensed horror T-shirts. Listen in as Scrivens discusses the history of the brand, Fright-Rags' business evolution during COVID-19, and how the company has dealt with an uptick in orders in recent…

Global circumstances have driven the retail industry into a period of extremes. Some retailers have closed the doors on brick-and-mortar sales and are experiencing year-over-year revenue loss. Others are struggling to keep up with consumer demand and are hiring thousands of new employees. It feels for many like a time of uncertainty, and while the…

The fashion industry is facing its biggest crisis yet — the COVID-19 pandemic. Spanish fashion group Inditex announced the closure of over 3,800 stores across 39 markets. The group, which owns brands like Zara and Massimo Dutti, saw its sales drop 24 percent in early March. For Neiman Marcus, bankruptcy may be a possible outcome.…

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many thousands of retailers and restaurants are offering delivery for the first time. It’s become a lifeline not only for homebound people, but also for the businesses themselves and their workers. However, delivery can often seem complex and overwhelming, especially if this is your first time. Here’s some advice for…

COVID-19 has turned the world of retail upside down. Hundreds of millions of Americans have been ordered to stay home during the pandemic, resulting in thousands of shuttered brick-and-mortar businesses and a surge in online shopping. In the face of all this uncertainty, retailers are trying to understand how COVID-19 will impact everything from maintaining…

Entering a new decade that begins with the year 2020 gives rise to thoughts about what “2020 vision” means for procurement in the next decade, during which supply chain and procurement operations will digitally transform at a rapid pace. The trouble is, observers have been predicting “the changing world of procurement” for many years now…

While countless businesses are scrambling to find alternative ways to serve their customers, many e-commerce brands have seen significant growth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For a lot of consumers, social distancing and business closures have changed how they shop, the lengths they’ll go to purchase a product, and what they’re willing to buy online. This…

While customer demands used to soar to levels once considered impossibly high only during holidays like Black Friday and Valentine’s Day,  today, customer demands rise to these levels on an almost daily basis. These demands can cause a steady stream of turbulence. Retailers like Walmart and Target are pushed to stay competitive year-round with online…