Momentum 2016: The supply chain goes digital

The Momentum 2016 conference held by Manhattan Associates May 15-17 in Orlando, Florida offered attendees plenty of insightful sessions and interesting information about how omnichannel commerce is affecting the supply chain.



First, let’s review some data points shared by Brendan Witcher, principal analyst, e-business and channel strategy, Forrester Research:



• By 2020, purchases made by mobile phone and tablet will represent 48% of all online sales.

• During 2016, 49% of U.S. retail purchases, or $1.68 trillion of $3.4 trillion, will be influenced by or made online.

• Seventy-five percent of consumers are more likely to visit a store if inventory is visible online.

• Twenty-six percent of consumers, and 33% of millennial consumers, are less likely to visit a store if inventory is not visible online.

• Fifty-three percent of consumers expect in-store online pickups to be ready in two hours or less.

• Only 19% of consumers think store associates are the best source of product information.



There were also many notable quotes from numerous speakers throughout the conference. Here are some highlights.



“Bed Bath & Beyond has more than 1,000 stores. That means we have 1,000 warehouses and 1,000 returns centers.”

Alex Zelikovsky, VP, omnichannel solutions and supply chain technology, Bed Bath & Beyond



“Sales and conversion don’t reflect the value of most online and mobile touchpoints.”

Brendan Witcher, principal analyst, e-business and channel strategy, Forrester Research



“Supply chain is at the heart of retail. Merchants think they’re king, but they’re not.”

Rachel Mushahwar, head of global retail, hospitality and CPG enabling team for Internet of Things, Intel Corp.



“If I had to do an omnichannel rollout all over again, I would start with store fulfillment and do click and collect first.”

Joe Marotta, VP of supply chain and corporate systems, Michael Kors



“Transformation is more cultural than anything.”

Raj Govindarajan, senior manager, supply chain initiatives, Ulta Beauty



“A sale is a sale is a sale”

Uma Bhemisetty, VP, retail systems The Men’s Wearhouse



“The POS terminal business is terminal”

Eddie Capel, president and CEO, Manhattan Associates