Retail

What Does Walmart Do With All the Merchandise Returned After the Holiday Buying Season?

October 28, 2013

While much is being written about expected holiday sales, the flip side of retail returns is also an interesting business, with consumers returning about $264bn worth of merchandise, or almost 9 percent of total sales, according to industry estimates. But, what happens to all that unwanted or defective merchandise that doesn't make it back on the retailer shelf?

SKU Proliferation: Is There a Cure for the Disease?

October 28, 2013

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Retail marketers love complexity. The more variations of a product they can sell, the happier they are. How else can they command all that shelf real estate in big-box stores? How else can they promote innovation? And how else can they drive their supply-chain managers crazy?

Same-day Delivery Grows - Just in Time for the Holidays

October 25, 2013

Storefront Backtalk

It seems that all major U.S. retailers - whether they are traditional, brick-and-mortar operations or Web-based - are stepping up their same-day delivery services and fulfillment systems before this holiday season. The move not only helps them extend the holiday shopping season by a few days, but also caters to busy holiday shoppers who don't have time to grab groceries for holiday parties or family meals.

Settlement Reached in Case Involving Toxin Found in Chinese-Made Hand Tools

October 25, 2013

Chanler Group

The Chanler Group, an environmental law firm, reached a settlement on behalf of its client with a Chinese manufacturer of products alleged to contain a reproductive toxin, commonly known as DEHP. This is reportedly the first time that California's Proposition 65, or any American consumer protection statute, has been used as a basis for international prosecution. The Chanler Group and its clients expect this to be the beginning of a new trend, where overseas manufacturers are held accountable for the products they provide for American consumers.

Target President Says 'Showrooming' Is a Fact of Retail Life, Find Way to Make It Work for You

October 24, 2013

CRM Daily

As a Target "beauty concierge," young Chelsea Mathison prowls the cosmetic aisles at the retailer's Nicollet Mall store, sweetly asking shoppers if they need beauty tips and recommendations. The pixieish clerk seems an unlikely front-line warrior in the Minneapolis-based retailer's effort to embrace showrooming -- where consumers fiddle with products in stores, only to surf their smartphones to see if they can buy the items cheaper somewhere else.

Global Supply-Chain Planning: It's Getting Tougher

October 24, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Glen Margolis, chief executive officer of Steelwedge, describes the planning challenges that companies are facing as they cope with increasingly complex demand and supply networks.

Landstar Quenches Beverage Company Need

October 23, 2013

Challenge: Leading Beverage Company Need: A major North American beverage company having difficulty finding trucks in today's marketplace asked Landstar for support in sourcing and managing additional capacity beyond the normal reach of its carrier partners.

Landstar Puts Automotive Supply Chain on Fast Track

October 23, 2013

Challenge: A Tier 1 automotive supplier was looking to improve cost, visibility and productivity within their ground expedite network.

Symphony EYC Debuts Tool for Merchandise Management

October 23, 2013

Symphony EYC

Symphony EYC has developed Symphony EYC Merchandise Management and Store Operations, a new application to support omni-channel commerce.

Taking on Supply Chain Issues Through Collaboration

October 22, 2013

Just-Style

Efforts to increase supply chain transparency should include closer collaboration and partnerships with suppliers.

Retail

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the retail industry — which comprises companies that operate physical or internet stores with diversified product lines. Learn how pharmaceutical and biotech companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.