Last week I attended FourKites Visibility 2022 in Chicago, IL. It was nice to be back at an in-person event, networking with peers, learning from subject matter experts, and taking in the sights and sounds of Chicago. As the tagline said, I was there to learn, connect, and be inspired. I’d say that the conference […]
It is common for pundits to look ahead and predict how an industry or profession will change. Sometimes, it can be more insightful to look backwards and note the chances that have occurred over the last several years. The changes to the profession of supply chain management are dramatic. Firstly, the term “supply chain management” […]
YES! Finally. McDonald’s is launching a retro-themed boxed meal (Happy Meal) for adults that includes a collectible figurine of a classic McDonald’s mascot – Birdie, Grimace, Hamburglar, or the new Cactus Buddy. McDonald’s is collaborating with Cactus Plant Flea Market on this initiative. The adult themed boxed meal will be available for a limited time […]
Two seemingly conflicting trends are coming together that, if addressed correctly, could provide retailers with a competitive advantage and make them more profitable. First, consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and are more willing than ever to act to protect it. Second, the pandemic kicked online buying and home delivery into “high gear” as […]
UScellular, the fourth largest wireless service provider in the US, embarked on a supply chain transformation journey. The company’s cellular network includes approximately 7,000 cell sites. In 2020, UScellular took the major step of initiating the deployment of 5G technology across its network. Although the company has its roots in regional development, its growth opened up opportunities to gain efficiencies from centralized supply chain planning. The team knew that they wanted to be able to scale and move quickly and realized […]
Economists are beginning to speak of “immaculate disinflation.” This new concept argues that when inflation is caused by supply chain issues – like demand/supply mismatches, difficulty in securing products from China, port problems, energy inflation caused by a war in the Ukraine, and so forth – the Federal Reserve does not have to do anything […]
It’s hard to believe that Halloween is just five weeks away. And as consumers are beginning to think about their Halloween plans, retailers and manufacturers are looking much farther ahead to the holiday season. One key part of this is to determine holiday hiring (see below). Another is getting a product strategy in place. And […]
