Supply Chain
March 31, 2020 at 11:15 am
Disruption vs. destruction is a key distinction for manufacturing and retail-centric supply chains during today’s tumultuous time. Disruption equals delays, while destruction equals damage (beyond repair). COVID-19 is both disruptive and destructive on a global scale. It has and will continue to cause shifts and reduction in “wants” merchandise and an increase in “needs” merchandise.…
March 25, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Global supply chains haven't had this much disruption since World War II, and the United States wasn’t as dependent on oversea goods and manufacturing then. On March 19, J.C. Penney announced that it was closing 850 stores, affecting 90,000 store associates. Sadly, J.C. Penney joins an illustrious group of retailers closing for several weeks to…
March 19, 2020 at 11:25 am
Becoming a member of the C-suite in a large retail company is no small feat, and one that cannot be achieved without building strong relationships with colleagues and department leaders. The ability to collaborate and work efficiently to find solutions that realize the goals of not just of a single department, but the entire organization,…
March 16, 2020 at 2:56 pm
With current concerns about the impending severity of COVID-19, consumers are taking steps to prepare for personal impact — even to the point of major retailers selling out of supplies such as water and hand sanitizer. Another consideration for retailers, however, should be peripheral effects on the entirety of the supply chain, given China's heavy…
March 13, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Consumers today have more choices than ever before when it comes to the items that curate their life, which can often rely on the latest trends or fashion statements. When it comes to keeping up with timely demands, retailers often struggle to keep their shelves stocked with the latest trending item at any given time.…
March 11, 2020 at 8:26 am
In today’s fast-moving retail environment, it’s more critical than ever that companies invest in strengthening the foundations of their business. To succeed in this ever-evolving market, business leaders must bring products to market faster, attract new customers, and stand out against increasing competition. A tech-enabled approach to sourcing and supplier strategy is one fundamental way retailers can set themselves up to not…
March 4, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Amazon.com on Monday warned customers that both its Prime Now and Amazon Fresh services have been overwhelmed by demand sparked by coronavirus fears and would have limited availability, according to Bloomberg. This means shoppers’ orders are being delivered more slowly than usual due to an influx of virus-spooked shoppers who are turning to the world’s largest online retailer…
March 4, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Online shoppers weren’t really asking for free two-day delivery until Amazon.com made it available as part of its Prime membership in February 2005. That moment changed the e-commerce world forever. Amazon is at it again, now getting its customers addicted to free one-day delivery. Living up to this free and fast shipping expectation through your…
February 25, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Walmart announced today that it's rolling out a new service called Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) that offers selected marketplace sellers access to its supply chain capabilities, including storing, picking, packing and shipping items, as well as the handling of returns and customer service. The retail giant said in a statement emailed to Total Retail that WFS…
February 13, 2020 at 9:59 am
In July 2019, the University of California sued Amazon.com, Walmart, Target and other major retailers for patent infringement related to “filament” LED lightbulbs. Not only is the university seeking damages, but it has also asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate the retailers’ conduct. While the case is currently on hold pending the…
