Anisa Kumar

Hello Retail Friends,   It’s no secret that supply chains have faced unprecedented disruption and volatility in recent years, underscoring the need to address vulnerabilities, improve preparedness, and create innovative strategies.   We surveyed 285 retail, CPG, and wholesale leaders globally in February 2024, exploring the challenges, strategic investment areas, and opportunities for retailers and CPGs over the next 3-5 years.   See how retail and CPG executives are tackling these challenges and planning for the future in our report, State of Supply Chain 2024: Retail and CPG Dynamics.     https://lnkd.in/eQQVdNmN     #supplychain #businesstransformation #supplychainplanning

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Every moment is an opportunity for growth and transformation. As we reflect on the evolution of merchandising, it’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come from bustling bazaars of ancient civilizations to today’s dynamic eCommerce landscape. In ancient markets, merchants showcased their goods with creativity and skill, building relationships through engaging displays and personal interactions. Fast forward to the digital revolution, and we’re leveraging technology to craft tailored shopping experiences for consumers across the globe. The agility and innovation that businesses display today echo the adaptability of those early traders. As we embrace the future of merchandising, let’s remember the importance of connecting with our customers authentically while utilizing cutting-edge strategies like personalized recommendations and data analytics. What’s your story about how merchandising has impacted your journey? Share your experiences in the comments below! 😊🌟 https://lnkd.in/ezyRW-Y2

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Great Bloomberg op-ed on why investing in retail store leaders is good for business. I love Andrea’s callout that big investments can raise eyebrows with analysts – like increasing our average Walmart store manager salary to $128,000/year with a new bonus program that gives store managers the potential to earn up to 200% of their base salary. But in the long run, she shows how these types of investments support retention, career growth, better run stores, strong stock value, and our ability to attract a broader range of customers.   Here are a couple of studies that stood out to me in Andrea’s piece: 💠 A 2012 study by Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at the London Business School (then at Wharton School), found that firms on Fortune’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work for in America,” which have superior employee satisfaction scores on factors including pay and benefits, outperformed peers by 2.3-3.8% per year from 1984 through 2011. 💠 A follow-up study by Hamid Boustanifar, associate professor at the EDHEC Business School, and Young Dae Kang of the Bank of Korea found that the relationship still held: companies on the publication’s list earned an excess return of 2-2.7% per year through 2020, with particular outperformance during tough times.   At the end of the day, these investments also support the ability to build a pipeline of strong talent that stays and grows with a company. We want Walmart to be seen as an employer of choice and pay plays a big part in how we attract and retain talented people. #Compensation #TeamWalmart https://lnkd.in/gPVdAYG4

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I am so honored and humbled.  "AI-powered solutions will also play a pivotal role in lowering returns by enabling more accurate product descriptions, personalized recommendations, and efficient reverse logistics."   Thanks Shelley E. Kohan for including my thoughts in Forbes on how brands can reduce returns this holiday season. Zeta Global leads retailers in digital transformation! #retailnews #retailmarketing #retail

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Retail's next big growth play is hiding in plain sight - right on store shelves. Coresight Research data shows that smart retailers are doubling down on in-store tech. As of Q2, about 50% have invested in solutions targeting: - Addressable out-of-stocks - Pricing and promo execution - Planogram compliance - Allocation and assortment optimization Over 80% of the remaining retailers plan to invest in these areas by Q2 2025. Nailing just ONE of these can boost sales up to 6% and operating margin by 5%. The future of retail is not just digital-first. It's data-first, store-centric, and powered by intelligent automation.

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A brutal mix of factors over the last few years led to retailers absorbing excess inventory shocks. But with the cost of capital increasing, it’s more important than ever to ensure inventory levels do not rise to unsustainable levels while also avoiding out-of-stocks. Our latest insight by Amit Mahajan, Young Hu and Aabha Rathee reveals how leveraging AI and ML can transform inventory management, leading to a 10-20% reduction in working capital, a 50-60% reduction in stock shortage in stores, a 2-4% uplift in sales, and a 1-3% margin benefit. Discover how these technologies can help retailers optimize supply chains, reduce markdowns, and enhance customer satisfaction. Read the full article here:

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What's the headline from recent retail earnings transcripts from Walmart, DICK'S Sporting Goods, The TJX Companies, Inc., and more? Value wins. The macroeconomic environment played a role in crowning the season’s winners. Value is top of mind for consumers as they look to stretch their budgets. Read on below for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gCvZghbY

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Dear Retail Friends,   If you’re a wholesaler, access to data from suppliers and retail customers is critical in enabling optimal service levels with minimal inventory. But getting that data, and acting upon it, can be challenging.   While there are many hurdles to this kind of collaboration, it can be done. And the benefits are numerous – not just for wholesalers, but their suppliers and retail customers as well.   https://lnkd.in/dbxub36v   #supplychain #supplychainoptimization #wholesaledistribution The future of wholesale supply chain collaboration | RELEX Solutions Unlock insights on boosting wholesale collaboration for supply chain efficiency and profit in this expert interview.

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Hello Retail Friends, I am pleased to announce the release of our latest Pricing and Promotions research report, developed with Incisiv. This report, surveying 179 retail executives across the US and EMEA, will be presented at Groceryshop in Las Vegas this week - be sure to come see us at booth #A610 to learn more.    Key findings include:   🔹 93% of shoppers demand more value: With 84% citing price as critical, 87% of retailers have adopted aggressive discounting strategies to sustain sales and loyalty.   🔹 $1 trillion in sales driven by promotions in 2023: Amid economic uncertainty, promotions are essential. 87% of retailers plan to maintain or increase promotional efforts in 2024.   🔹 Low adoption of advanced analytics: Only 12% of retailers use real-time data, advanced algorithms, and AI, impacting their agility.   🔹 Critical challenges in data quality and integration: Effective promotional strategies require accurate, unified data, yet cultural resistance also hinders progress.   🔹 Reliance on outdated systems: 37% of retailers still use spreadsheets, lacking the agility needed for dynamic market conditions.   The report highlights the need for integrated pricing and promotional capabilities. By leveraging advanced technology, retailers could achieve an additional $450 billion in incremental sales.   I encourage industry leaders to explore this report for strategic insights to drive growth and innovation.   #RetailLeadership #PricingStrategy #Promotions #MarketResearch #RetailInnovation #Groceryshop #GroceryForum #RELEXSolutions   https://lnkd.in/eSjYKxqC

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💡Amazon invests in consolidation of Saks Fifth Avenue & Neiman Marcus Group … Why? 💬 Lot of chatter in the last day about Amazon backing the consolidation of LUXURY retailers Saks and Neiman Marcus….theres a lot to be said about tech that helps traditional retailers win and I think Forbes and Suzanne Kapner at The Wall Street Journal have a great take. That being said, I think the crown jewel they are going after here is interesting…. I think the big nut to crack for Amazon is a CRM play of owning the super high end customers…dominating that top spender market. That luxury shopper. Not as a transactional relationship, but owning that luxury shopper segment—both online and offline. I think the crown jewel Amazon is going after here is…. 💵 Prime for the 0.1%ers. The big picture here is a massive opportunity for Amazon to unlock — think of the spending they could own. 💥 Amazon Ultra Prime. No wonder Salesforce also invested… CRM play. https://lnkd.in/gy_r7jMQ https://lnkd.in/gmk-ZqSU

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Walmart's Adaptive Retail Report 2024 is a good summary of changing trends of customers behavior, expectations and what Retailers must do to adapt. The latest research from Walmart and Morning Consults shows that consumers have high expectations for how technology will improve their shopping experiences in the future. Retailers that use technology to provide consumers with more personalized shopping journeys that seamlessly integrate into their lifestyles are the ones who will win in this Adaptive Retail era. While this year's report provides a variety of insights, this study is a snapshot of Adaptive Retail as it stands today, capturing a single point in time. Customer preferences are ever changing. As consumers evolve, so must our strategies. #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #logistics #tech #Al #data

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Automated back-of-house micro fulfillment while you shop. Reduces clutter in-store. Reduces stock needed on floor. Reduces man hours moving stock from back room to floor. > Enables RMNs to engage with and better target shoppers, while highlighting optimal merch to move (based on freshness, margin, etc). > Increases customer experience by improving store layout and space utilization, and associate to shopper ratio (or reduces associates needed, improving costs for shoppers). > Reduces aisle traffic of pick-up and delivery items, as orders are picked back-of-house. I could go on, but the future of grocery shopping is here, and will continue to improve. #amazon #grocery #shopping Amazon

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Highlights from last week's NYC #RetailSafari -- focus was the intersection of #technology, #customers, and #operations, primarily in specialty apparel and fashion. Key themes: 1. Technology goes backstage – Brand new formats / concepts at H&M, Banana Republic, Zara, AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS INC., lululemon, and J.Crew and none come across as tech-forward w/ regard to customers. On the other hand, associates were all mobile enabled and doing most of their work leveraging phones / tablets. 2. Old tech; new tricks – Widespread use of #RFID and #QR codes (both generally on the price ticket), with a mix of internal and external use cases -- self-checkout, RFID-assisted full-service checkout, inventory counts, inventory finding, #BOPIS, etc. 3. Apps are an entry point – #Retailers without a clienteling / selling culture are using apps to drive customer capture. #Lulu uses app-based membership to enable exchanges on sale items; UNIQLO offers special discounts to app members. 4. Unified is still a unicorn – Despite a decade of focus on #omnichannel and unified commerce, many gaps exist. Very few #retail apps recognize when you’re in store, send a notification, and/or assist in the shopping experience. Many didn’t even have their newest stores listed as an option for #BOPIS (despite in-store signage).  5. Video is the new visual – ultra-large format (8-10ft x 12-16ft) video screens were a common feature of many new stores, and really helped to bring the brand lifestyle to life.  6. It’s hard to (re)teach people how to shop – Across all stores except Bonobos, Glossier, Inc., and Reformation, the shopping process is the same as it’s been for the past 50+ years. The ones that don't are focused on a niche customer with a unique product offering. IMO, the product is the driver and consumers "accept" the experience. 7. The "future" is not here yet, but you can start to see the shape of it – Demoing the Apple #VisionPro, we could think of multiple use cases (mostly internal / operational), and while it’s too early (and too expensive) to fully commit, it’s certainly worth considering a pilot as part of an #innovation lab. It's also worth noting there was no apparent use of #AI by customers or associates. Curious to hear comments, feedback from other markets. #ibmretail

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Walmart continues to satisfy customers, drive sales, and lean heavily into technology for better customer experiences and expense reductions. If e-commerce profitability remains elusive for such a large, integrated, and technologically advanced brand, what could that imply for other E-commerce operations and their 'path to profitability'? Excerpts: Dive Insight: Despite softening trends elsewhere in retail, Walmart isn’t “experiencing a weaker consumer,” CEO Doug McMillon said on a call with analysts as the company reported Q2 performance that beat analysts’ expectations. The retailer is also continuing to compete on price, he said, with more than 7,200 rollbacks in the U.S. TD Cowen analysts led by Oliver Chen said in a note that general merchandise, which comprises about 30% of Walmart’s mix, was a bright spot, returning flat comps for the first time after nine quarters of declines. Walmart’s value, digital and delivery convenience, and practical adoption of artificial intelligence “is yielding attractive consistency,” Chen said. McMillon said during an earnings call that pickup is growing faster than in-store or club sales and that delivery is also outpacing pickup. The e-commerce progress, McMillion said, is fueling the growth of the company’s newer businesses, like advertising (up 26% in Q2) and Walmart+ memberships. McMillon said Walmart+ memberships were up double digits and Sam’s Club U.S. saw a record high member count in the quarter. Marketplace sales grew 32% in Q2, the fourth straight quarter of 30% growth. While e-commerce is still not profitable, global e-commerce losses narrowed, thanks to an almost 40% reduction in U.S. net delivery cost per order. As for long-term profitability in the channel, McMillon told analysts “not to get too hung up on it.” “We have a great and huge store and club business around the world that is profitable,” McMillon said. “We make money in food. We make money in consumables. We make money in general merchandise. And we’ll eventually make money in e-commerce.” #walmart #ecommerce #profitability

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Key EMARKETER stat: US ecommerce resale volume will hit $80.60 billion this year, a growth of 3.4% YoY, per our December 2023 forecast. Beyond the chart: Ecommerce resale volume is returning to growth after a 6.9% dip YoY in 2022 and a 2.5% one in 2023, per eMarketer forecast. But it still hasn’t returned to its pandemic high of $85.87 billion in 2021. Growth in the number of online fashion buyers has slowed, leading platforms to search for strategies to boost order values by offering luxury goods and courting wealthy shoppers. #ecommerce #resale #retailsales

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We've identified 6 main operational pillars for leading execution in retail stores. One of those pillars is promotional execution. Here are some thoughts from ReStore for Retail, our Virtual Store Management platform.

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Everyone knows product returns are a problem, but now the National Retail Federation (NRF), in research with Appriss, has spelled it out in stark terms: total returns for the retail industry amounted to $743 billion in merchandise in 2023. In addition, the total return rate as a percentage of sales in 2023 was 14.5 percent. Of that figure, the research shows that $101 billion are fraudulent returns, or 13.7 percent of total returns. #returnsmanagement #retail