On August 30th, O’Reilly Auto Parts gave a presentation to financial analysts from one of its distribution centers (DCs) in Kansas City, Missouri. This signaled that the company considers distribution excellence to be a core differentiator, a message that comes out loud and clear when you look through the presentation the company gave.
O’Reilly Auto Parts is an auto parts retailer with $5.6 billion in sales over… Continue reading
The high-tech industry dominated the news the past two weeks. Google announced that it is acquiring Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion; HP plans to sell its PC business, as well as stop making tablets and smartphones; and Steve Jobs is stepping down as Apple’s CEO.
The Google and HP news point to two high-level trends taking place in the computer industry: smartphones and tablets are disrupting
Last year, I wrote a strategic report on shelf-level collaboration–i.e., on how manufacturers can help retailers achieve a better in-stock position for their products. As part of my research, I asked suppliers of Demand Signal Repository (DSR) solutions for references at client companies they believe are doing an excellent job in this area. I also reached out to executives at many consumer goods firms and consultants active in this area… Continue reading
What happens when a product–maybe that shoe or handbag your buyer thought would be a big hit–doesn’t sell as well as expected? Or the season is over and you still have a lot of lawnmowers or snow shovels in stock? Or a new version of a camera or flat panel TV is being released and you still have plenty of soon-to-be-outdated inventory on your store shelves and distribution centers?… Continue reading
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Guest Commentary: Increasing Profits by Lowering the Cost of Goods Sold
Through June of this year, the inflation rate in the US has been trending sharply upward. If the trend continues we could be on track to experience the highest rate of inflation so far this century. This is not news to consumers who are faced with inflation daily as they go to the gas station or shop for groceries. They know full well that non-discretionary items like gasoline, dairy and… Continue reading
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