Maintaining a flexible, efficient, and reliable retail supply chain has never been more difficult. Inventories are increasingly varied and complex -- a byproduct of retailers struggling to please as many customers as possible. Consumer expectations have grown every year, to the point that they seem to expect near-perfection. And new services and activities such as buy online ship from store (BOSS) / pick up in store (BOPIS) and curbside pickup have created immense complexity. These and other major supply-chain challenges, amplified by pressure from corporate to do more with less, make it more difficult to achieve and maintain supply chain excellence than ever before.

To achieve this increasingly ambitious goal, the modern supply chain professional must turn to technology. Specifically, they need an advanced analytics solution that can analyze and interpret data from every node and the transportation networks connecting them, using insights to guide decision-making accordingly. An advanced analytics solution (especially one that provides actionable insights, like prescriptive analytics), can increase visibility into the entire supply chain and identify exactly when, where, and how to make critical improvements that reduce costs, drive operational excellence, and optimize the customer experience. With advanced analytics, retailers can realize supply chain excellence, regardless of the challenges they may face.

This eBook discusses four of the biggest challenges in retail supply chain and how advanced analytics can help conquer them.

Here are five steps to stabilizing operations, optimizing throughput and maximizing profits as the economy reopens in the coming weeks.

In order to balance inventory levels while anticipating customer needs, retailers must implement a unified approach to product, cross-channel and customer strategy.

Preparing your supply chain for sustainable business performance in the aftermath of COVID-19 requires awareness of multi-modal transportation trends affecting your ability to manage cost and customer service.

Trying to predict demand or supply capabilities in a time of economic crisis “is like trying to catch a falling, disease-infected knife — in the dark.”

Working from home, employees may be wasting time and money mailing contracts to customers, sending samples to prospects or managing even routine shipments — while businesses quickly lose enterprise visibility. A cloud-based multi-carrier management solution can help maintain centralized control.

Supply-chain management consultant River Rock Advisors breaks down four key components of a successful operational strategy: preparation, implementation, execution and measurement.