A Digitally Connected, Consumer-Driven Supply Chain

It may seem anachronistic to begin an article about today’s digitally-connected, omni-channel supply chain with a quote from an 18th century Scottish poet. However, many retail supply chains have operated from the principal: “The best-laid plans … may still go wrong.”

In the retail world, inaccurate forecasts and plans too often lead to over-stocks of all the wrong items, out-of-stocks of the right items, lost sales opportunities and reduced profit margins.

Getting inventory right in the distribution center and on the store shelf is an imperative in today’s hyper-connected and always-on world, where consumers rule. They now have at their fingertips access to real-time information that helps them make informed decisions about product purchases, shopping preferences and recommendations. Coupled with a social mindset, it’s no wonder that the digitally-connected, agile and omni-channel supply chain is top of mind for most retail supply chain professionals.

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