Supply Chain and Logistics

As online retail grows, retailers have to leverage every new touchpoint in the delivery process in order to continuously build customer loyalty. One of the touchpoints that doesn’t get as much attention as the others is the returns process.

Amazon has been quietly acquiring smaller tech companies to help them strengthen their cloud capabilities with AI, cybersecurity, productivity and software design.

Tightening deadlines and delivery policies show the importance of managing and optimizing the flow of products throughout the supply chain. Wal-Mart is now in a position where they must reduce inventory, and de-clutter warehouses and store back rooms across their 4,700 US locations.

With significant investments into the development of new technologies and infrastructure, as well as penetration of new product verticals, Amazon is a force to be reckoned with.

With the rollercoaster of the US elections now coming to a close, it seems that the once lauded Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is "Dead on Arrival." With that change of circumstance comes some unknowns for retailers, shippers, and consumers as well.

Driverless trucks, drones, fully automated warehouses - these things were once the fantasies of science fiction. Now, however, the incorporation of these technologies into last mile logistics seems inevitable. First of all, let's take a look at last mile logistics; particularly, the "Last Mile Problem."

Discover the most popular LinkedIn groups around logistics and supply chain best practices, trends and insights

A quick peruse of the internet, Google, industry blogs and other sites shows that in the world of supply chain and logistics management, there are many questions.

The discipline of supply chain management is as old as the industrial revolution; maybe even older. Such deeply entrenched and highly researched fields tend to have a more difficult time adapting to new realities. Supply chain and technology are like two peas in a pod.

Traditional Supply Chain Metrics are relatively well known, but in the age of empowered consumers, customer centric supply chains have become more important. Within the context of customer centric supply chains, it's important to look at these supply chain metrics as they relate to the customer centric model.

While the results aren't in (yet), it is expected that Amazon will double last year's Amazon Prime Day sales. In fact, it seems that Amazon Prime Day 2016 was Amazon's biggest sales day ever.

Creating a Customer Centric Supply chain can be a tricky thing, especially since it’s a departure from the “tradition” supply chain model. While each business has its own operational needs, there are a few concepts that are relatively universal.