Articles
Retail
The Direct Sales Supply Chain: Where There’s a Will There’s Amway
George Calvert, chief supply chain and R&D officer for Amway, calls on Inbound Logistics to talk about the direct sales business and how Amway’s supply chain is adapting to globalization, new technology, and changing consumer behavior.
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Setting the E-Commerce Gold Standard
As chief supply chain officer for flash sales superstar Gilt, Chris Halkyard’s bright idea to optimize the company’s DC network helped spark supply chain efficiency gains.
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DSW Tries On New SKUs and Stocks
Shoe retailer DSW pairs a new replenishment system with an automated materials handling solution to step up inventory control.
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Minimizing the Financial Impact of Peak Season Returns
As the supply chain world settles in for a long winter’s nap, the reverse logistics world is shifting into overdrive to handle peak returns season. Both retailers and manufacturers report that the percent of returns for 2014 is roughly the same as it was by this point in 2013. The rate of returns for holiday […]
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Customer Service: Delivering the Royal Treatment
As evolving retail models push consumer expectations to the extreme, companies explore new ways to show customers they rule.
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Visions of Customer Service
Tighter links are being forged between customer service and logistics in the retail supply chain. As competition between traditional and online shopping choices heats up, expedited transportation offerings and blended supply chain networks play a pivotal role. Simply put, delivery speed and logistics agility provide the customer service levels needed to win. The main advantage […]
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Putting Stock in Retail Analytics Tools
For Kleenex maker Kimberly-Clark, managing inventory at retail stores in China was nothing to sneeze at—until it found an analytics solution that delivers comprehensive stock data.
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The Nuts and Bolts of the Automotive Aftermarket Supply Chain
Whether it’s time for a tune-up, a vehicle won’t start, or a teenager just wants to pimp his ride, auto aftermarket supply chains are geared up to deliver the parts and accessories that keep drivers on the road.
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Retailers Try I.T. On for Size
As retailers shop for ways to adapt to e-commerce and changing consumer behaviors, logistics technology provides the perfect fit.
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Bringing Supply Chain Visibility to the Last Frontier
A Web-based shipping tool helps Classic Alaska Trading Company tame the wilds of its inventory and fulfillment operations.
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Discount Apparel Logistics: Outfitting the Outlets
As consumers embrace bargain hunting, off-price apparel retailers re-style their supply chains to meet demand.
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Green Logistics The Walmart Way
Why sustainability best practices are part of the retailer’s supply chain DNA.
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E-Fulfillment Strategies That Deliver the Goods
By adding speed and visibility to their logistics operations, retailers delight online customers, and keep them coming back for more.
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8 Ways to Strengthen Online Retailer Supply Chains
Most online retailers are well aware that effective supply chain execution is the strategic heart of their business. Here are eight ways to keep online retail supply chains running smoothly and cost-effectively. 1. Invest in people. Make sure your supply chain managers have adequate experience and knowledge. The right skill set can’t be learned on […]
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Sporting Goods Logistics: Keeping the Ball Rolling
Athletic equipment distributors and retailers use supply chain management to avoid stockouts, manage seasonal peaks, and stay in the game.
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Cloud-Based WMS Fires Up Supermercados Supply Chain
Peruvian supermarket chain Supermercados feeds its need for DC network realignment with a SaaS WMS solution.
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Inventory Replenishment: A Push in the Right Direction
Close-out retailer Tuesday Morning uses a WMS to allocate and ship a constant stream of new products to stores, keeping customers happy every day of the week.
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Retailers Rebalance Time vs. Cost?
For retailers and their value chain partners, practicing inbound logistics provides two competitive advantages—the ability to keep prices low, because matching demand to supply optimizes inventory-to-sales ratios and creates other economies; and the agility to use time as a competitive advantage by serving customers faster and more completely. In the past, retailers emphasized keeping costs […]
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Holiday Stocking: Preparing for the Seasonal Retail Rush
Smart planning throughout the year helps retailers strike the right balance for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond.
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