Content about Inventory

May 7, 2013

Urban Outfitters' store operations and visual teams are benefitting from a cutting-edge solution that provides upstream visibility with regard to store-delivery shipments and more robust tools with which to plan receiving the goods.

The application, StoreTrac from Philadelphia-based PCSTrac, is a Web-based inventory control and management application that delivers a store-level snapshot of shipments. It has been deployed across all the company's retail brands, a total of approximately 430 stores.

March 15, 2013

Edwin Watts Golf has grown significantly during the past several years, expanding its store portfolio and direct mail and Internet businesses as well. With growth came an increased complexity that taxed the capabilities of its aging legacy systems, which did not provide visibility across channels and among stores. The retailer decided it was time to invest in a new solution due to the age and fragmentation of its existing systems.

March 13, 2013

PCSTrac, in partnership with Urban Outfitters, has launched the next generation of StoreTrac software,a web-based inventory control and management application for retail store operations.

Philadelphia -- PCSTrac, in partnership with Urban Outfitters, has launched the next generation of StoreTrac software,a web-based inventory control and management application for retail store operations.

The enhanced application delivers a store-level snapshot of shipments by volume and category type, as well as key details such as SKU, style, item quantity, item description, and shipment history on forthcoming shipments.

February 22, 2013

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s net income rose to $157.2 million for the fourth quarter, compared with $45.8 million a year earlier for a 13-week period.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s net income rose to $157.2 million for the fourth quarter, compared with $45.8 million a year earlier for a 13-week period. The chain said its net income was calculated using a new system for valuing inventory
 
Sales rose 11% to $1.47 billion for the 14 weeks ended Feb. 2, led by a 34% rise in international sales. (The period, however, includes an extra week compared to year earlier.)

Same-store sales were flat for the namesake chain, down 2% at Hollister and down 3% abroad.

January 28, 2013

By Kevin Farkas, Active International

January 8, 2013

WhenToManage announced that its suite of retail operations solutions, including point-of-sale intelligence, labor scheduling and inventory management tools, is now being deployed by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, an international franchiser, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator.

Norwalk, Conn. -- WhenToManage announced that its suite of retail operations solutions, including point-of-sale intelligence, labor scheduling and inventory management tools, is now being deployed by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, an international franchiser, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator.

December 27, 2012

When it comes to mobile commerce and digital solutions, Sears Holdings has evolved into a best-in-class company, one that has truly embraced the cross-channel shopping experience. Seeking ways to make shopping more convenient for its customers, the chain was among the first to offer visibility to in-store inventory, as well as the ability to buy online and pick up in-store.

December 18, 2012

By Jeff Boudreau, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions

With the holidays approaching, retailers are once again facing the challenge of securing the right staffing levels in their stores to meet the higher demand of the season. And just as obtaining the right manpower levels is critical for capturing sales, reaching the right labor mix in the warehouse is essential in keeping inventory flowing smoothly through the supply chain.

November 27, 2012

By Kumar Venkataraman

Over the last decade, America’s Atlantic shores have faced the wrath of more than a dozen hurricanes, causing damage worth several billion dollars. Year after year, retailers have been learning and fine-tuning their strategies to respond to the critical needs of consumers in the impacted areas, both in preparing for a disaster and immediately after.

November 2, 2012

Hurricane Sandy is likely to result in shipping delays and an increase in third-party carrier rates due to fuel shortages, according to Chris Merritt, VP/GM, retail supply chain solutions for Ryder.

New York -- Hurricane Sandy is likely to result in shipping delays and an increase in third-party carrier rates due to fuel shortages, according to Chris Merritt, VP/GM, retail supply chain solutions for Ryder.

"While most retailers should have enough inventory for their regular replenishment items, we expect to see out-of-stock situations up and down the East Coast for promotional items retailers have ordered and advertised for Black Friday," Merritt said.

November 2, 2012

By Chris Merritt, Ryder

By Chris Merritt, Ryder

Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy are devastating. They impact people’s lives and livelihood. In addition, as we’ve learned from recent years, they can result in significant supply chain disruptions. Following the storm, we are seeing three issues impacting retail supply chains – power, fuel, and people.

October 10, 2012

While out-of-stock items and inventory performance remain top-of-mind, retailers' concerns about understanding customer preferences — along with their own ability to respond to those preferences with new ideas about pricing and promotions — have become top business challenges, according to a survey of 96 retailers published by Retail Systems Research.

Miami -- While out-of-stock items and inventory performance remain top-of-mind, retailers' concerns about understanding customer preferences — along with their own ability to respond to those preferences with new ideas about pricing and promotions — have become top business challenges, according to a survey of 96 retailers published Wednesday by Retail Systems Research.

September 21, 2012

Abercrombie & Fitch understands that the key to international branding is to deliver a consistent store experience across the globe.

By adopting an open operating platform and integrated point-of-sale infrastructure, the company is able to centrally manage all business operations, including supply chain, inventory management and POS processing, across international borders. The retailer’s international stores now garner close to $1 billion in sales.

September 4, 2012

SB Capital Group, Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group jointly announced that, in tandem, they will begin to sell off all of the inventory in the 568 Fashion Bug stores in the United States.

Bensalem, Pa. -- SB Capital Group, Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group jointly announced Tuesday that, in tandem, they will begin to sell off all of the inventory in the 568 Fashion Bug stores in the United States.

The Charming Shoppes unit will be divested and fully closed.

As part of the process, Fashion Bug has retained more than 5,900 store and district personnel to assist in operating the stores through the completion of the sale process.
 

August 27, 2012

By Jim Porçarelli, Active International

By Jim Porçarelli, Active International

It’s an all-too-familiar sight these days. A man walks into a local retail establishment. He browses the products. He finds one he likes. He tests it out, asks a few questions of a salesperson -- and then snaps an image of the product’s barcode with his cell phone and walks out the door.

July 18, 2012

By Mark Robinson, UPS Capital Corp.

By Mark Robinson, UPS Capital Corp.

May 29, 2012

By David Kudas and Russell Parker, JDA Software

By David Kudas and Russell Parker, JDA Software

May 23, 2012

Family Express has improved its inventory management operations significantly by deploying Retalix Ltd.’s demand-driven replenishment solution across its convenience stores in Northwestern Indiana, Retalix said.

Dallas -- Family Express has improved its inventory management operations significantly by deploying Retalix Ltd.’s demand-driven replenishment solution across its convenience stores in Northwestern Indiana, Retalix said.

May 16, 2012

By Gary C. Smith, National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources

By Gary C. Smith, NAEIR.org

When Children’s Wish Foundation International, an Atlanta-based charity, hosts scrapbooking or craft parties for children in the hospital, it turns to a gifts-in-kind organization and its catalog of donated merchandise for supplies. The two organizations then coordinate shipments of stuffed animals, Halloween costumes, craft materials, toys, videos and other items to hospitals to help fulfill the wishes of children in need.
 

April 16, 2012

Access to operating capital remains an ongoing challenge for some retailers, which are still facing a difficult time when it comes to securing a loan. The problem is particularly acute for small and medium-sized businesses: Among U.S. small business owners, 90% believe the availability of credit for small businesses is a problem, and 61% agree it’s harder to get a loan now than it was four years ago, according to a recent study by the American Sustainable Business Council, Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance. 

March 12, 2012

By Steven Boon, Galleria Retail Technology Solutions

By Steven Boon, steven.boon@galleria-rts.com

As retailers strive to be competitive in the current economic environment, many are considering the use of new software solutions to more effectively identify their customers’ wants and desires – and better determine what products they need to have on their store shelves to maximize sales and minimize wastage.

February 27, 2012

By Ken Burkeen, UPS

By Ken Burkeen, pr@ups.com

February 23, 2012

Kohl’s Corp. reported that profit for the fourth quarter dropped 7.9% to $455 million, from $494 million a year earlier, as the retailer experienced unexpected revenue declines during the holiday selling period.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter dropped 7.9% to $455 million, from $494 million a year earlier, as the retailer experienced unexpected revenue declines during the holiday selling period.

Kohl's reported that total sales dipped 0.3% to $6.02 billion in the period, and same-store sales dropped 2.1%. It was the chain’s first revenue decline in three years

December 9, 2011

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. on Thursday said it has had to revise its Q3 financial results, because it mishandled records related to a pending changeover in its electronic inventory system. The computer error led the retailer to miss recording permanent markdowns for the quarter ended Oct. 29.

The adjustment, which will reduce gross margin and inventory, will widen Stein Mart’s third-quarter loss by $1.3-$1.6 million. The retailer had reported a loss of $1.8 million for the period.

December 1, 2011

Cross-channel merchandise planning and assortment solution provider 7thonline said that sports brand Oakley has selected 7thonline Merchandise and Assortment Management to increase the productivity of its inventory and merchandising process.

New York City -- Cross-channel merchandise planning and assortment solution provider 7thonline said Thursday that sports brand Oakley has selected 7thonline Merchandise and Assortment Management to increase the productivity of its inventory and merchandising process.

The solution includes merchandise financial planning, visual and analytical assortment planning, in-season OTB management and forecasting, and embedded business intelligence, based on powerful optimization engines.