Supply Chain & Merchandising

Auditing your shipping invoices saves money. But just as importantly it yields valuable business intelligence through a rich depository of captured data that helps you make informed decisions as you improve operations.  

While Singles’ Day has morphed into the world’s biggest shopping extravaganza, the event’s allure may be losing some luster.  

Black Friday weekend is just around the corner. But as retailers remained focused on one-day sales, exclusive sneak peeks and door busters, they are missing the boat on a much more lucrative opportunity — Singles’ Day.  

The nation’s largest specialty toy retailer isn’t worried about any so-called Thanksgiving backlash.   Toys “R” Us announced plans to open its doors at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving — and keep them open (in nearly all locations) for 30 hours straight, closing them at 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. It’s the fourth consecutive year the chain has opened at 5 p.m. on the holiday.   

Creating a true “commerce-meets-content” experience, PetSmart introduced a new website that complements its omnichannel efforts.   Reflecting feedback from shoppers, the new PetSmart site takes a fresh approach to pet supply shopping by featuring new services that streamline how its customers shop and receive desired merchandise. In addition to one-page checkout for example, shoppers can also choose from tailored delivery options, like recurring subscription-based shipping, scheduled delivery and same-day delivery. 

Walmart is setting some lofty goals for itself on such critical issues as sustainability and job creation.    In remarks Friday at the Net Impact Conference, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon outlined a "new roadmap" that will guide the company’s role in society on critical issues during the next several years, and pointed to a “new era of trust and transparency.”  

Just in time to streamline the upcoming holiday e-commerce sales rush, Hudson’s Bay Co. is touting a new robotic fulfillment system.   Called the first of its kind in Canada, the new state-of-the-art robotic fulfillment system is housed in the department store chain’s 752,000 sq.-ft. Scarborough distribution center, which manages the chain’s e-commerce operations.    

Starbucks Corp. is feeling its oats.   The coffee giant topped estimates for its fourth quarter and gave a positive view for its current fiscal year.   Starbucks’ consolidated net revenue grew 16% to $5.8 billion in its fourth quarter, which was better than expected.