Analyst Insight: The retail industry will face many difficult challenges in 2010. Unemployment and underemployment are high and living standards for Americans continue to erode, leaving little money for purchases outside of necessities. Also, issues in housing, banking and health care will continue. Although there may not be much sales growth in 2010, retailers can still strengthen their bottom lines by having an effective retail supply chain, which is essential to reduce costs and maintain high service levels.

Analyst Insight: As the economic recovery proceeds, companies should be changing their sights from mere tactical cost-cutting measures to more strategic improvement initiatives. Productivity increases and cost containment are now considered a given at the leading companies. The bigger benefits are coming from companies that are integrating logistics and distribution more broadly into innovative supply chain improvement strategies.

Analyst Insight: The dirty underside of supply chain is confronting the many risks inherent in 24x7-operations entrusted to "partners" in far-flung regions who are conducting fraudulent activities as well as dealing with unpredictable events. The big market here is risk transfer-insurance and others services to mitigate the impact of events. In addition, step by step, we are beginning to see approaches-metric and risk assessments methods, auditing and monitoring services, and technology - to support risk avoidance and assure recovery.

Analyst Insight: The number one strategy for sourcing and procurement executives is taking costs out. But that requires an enterprise view of procurement and sourcing resources, including spend, business process, supplier contracts, organizational structure, and employees. Leading organizations have accelerated their strategic cost-reduction activities to ensure immediate sourcing and procurement ROI.

Analyst Insight: Many businesses have been paying more attention to the concept of software as a service (SaaS) and how it can be incorporated into their IT portfolios. The most commonly stated benefits -rapid deployment, lower cost, and scalability - must be balanced by other key decision criterion, such as fit, ROI, and risk.

Analyst Insight: With online retail sales projected to reach 17 percent of total company sales in 2010 and double-digit growth expected each year through 2012, retailers must take measures to offer next-generation retail. That would create a model that focuses on consumers and their experiences up to and through the purchase, or moment of truth. While most retailers have invested in some form of online capabilities, few (7 percent) have built the appropriate supply chain infrastructure to support a true, seamless, cross-channel experience for the customer.

Analyst Insight: Ideally, the output of the S&OP plan should drive companies' income statement and balance sheets. Companies should create internal projects and SWAT teams wherein the S&OP plan is mapped to the key financial documents with collaboration between finance and supply chain.