The holiday season presents unique supply chain challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. This episode explores how retailers are leveraging demand sensing and diversifying sourcing to secure inventory and mitigate disruptions. It provides actionable strategies for managing inventory, navigating customs, and making strategic investments to meet peak consumer demand.
Key takeaways
Diversify sourcing options beyond traditional suppliers to build resilient supply networks and reduce vulnerability to disruptions.
Utilize demand sensing to accurately predict consumer trends and inform inventory planning, ensuring the right products are in stock for the holiday rush.
Proactively address potential supply chain hurdles like port congestion and shipping container shortages through strategic planning and investment in logistics.
Understand and adapt to evolving customs regulations and trade policies to avoid delays and ensure smooth international movement of goods.
The early weeks of the pandemic led consumers to experience unprecedented supply shortages and retailers to experience delays in essential inventory that was in high demand. With the holidays just around the corner, how will the ongoing pandemic affect what has traditionally been retailer's busiest time of the year? And what are retailers doing to diversify sourcing options to reduce supply chain disruptions? In a previous episode with experts from PwC, we discuss how retailers can leverage demand sensing to predict consumer trends that will determine sales. This week, we're going to take a step further to look at how retailers are making decisions about what kinds of items to have in stock and other areas for investment. Jon Gold, the Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation, discusses how supply chain and customs issues are impacting the industry and how retailers are responding. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Diversify sourcing options beyond traditional suppliers to build resilient supply networks and reduce vulnerability to disruptions.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Utilize demand sensing to accurately predict consumer trends and inform inventory planning, ensuring the right products are in stock for the holiday rush.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Proactively address potential supply chain hurdles like port congestion and shipping container shortages through strategic planning and investment in logistics.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Understand and adapt to evolving customs regulations and trade policies to avoid delays and ensure smooth international movement of goods.
