Supply Chain

Retail industry forecasts that include external economic factors (i.e., leading indicators) are more accurate in signaling future growth, contraction and major shifts in consumer momentum than traditional forecasts that only take historical performance into account. By monitoring these factors and noting changes, retail executives will have better insight with which to make planning decisions. While…

Learn the benefits of selling on multiple marketplaces, the value each marketplace brings to the table and much more.

Amazon.com is speeding up delivery times for small items such as USB cables and smartphone protectors. Merchants were notified earlier this week that these smaller, flat items would now be delivered to Amazon Prime members within five business days — down from eight previously. Other marketplaces, including Alibaba and eBay, can take anywhere from two weeks to…

After a roller coaster of a week last week, Amazon.com is providing some clarification on "brand-gating" and what it means for merchants. As a quick refresh, Amazon implemented new rules last week requiring merchants to supply dozens of invoices and pay up to a $1,500 fee to sell certain popular (and frequently counterfeited) brands, such…

Amazon.com is addressing its counterfeiting problem, but it's going to cost sellers a pretty penny. CNBC reports online stores on Amazon that sell name brands, such as Adidas and Nike, are being told they have to pay a one-time, nonrefundable fee of $1,500 per brand. In addition, online sellers are being asked to give invoices from…

Signet Jewelers said last week that it would test new technology in some of its Kay Jewelers locations that will confirm the authenticity of the gems it sells. The move comes after allegations arose in May and June that the company was swapping diamonds. During its second-quarter earnings call, Signet CEO Mark Light said that…

Sports Authority limped into bankruptcy in March with a straightforward plan to survive as a smaller, more nimble purveyor of sporting equipment and apparel. The first step — close unprofitable stores and sell off its inventory. But almost immediately a fight broke out over who owned some of that inventory: the retailer or the vendors…

Amazon Launchpad announced last week the creation of a Kickstarter Collection, featuring more than 300 Kickstarter products available for purchase on Amazon.com. Startups featured include Piper, Zivix, Prynt, MudWatt, among others. Consumers shopping the Kickstarter Collection can browse categories such as electronics, wireless accessories, home and kitchen, books, movies and TV, and toys and games,…

Birkenstock will stop supplying products to Amazon in the U.S. and will no longer authorize third-party merchants to sell on the site.

Nordstrom made a bold move this week by acquiring a minority stake in supply chain software firm DS Co. The platform provides a cloud-based service that will make it easier for suppliers to directly ship orders placed through Nordstrom’s retail partners — i.e., drop shipping. For example, if a customer purchases a shirt from Nordstrom’s website,…