Ian Leaman’s Post

Is Your Logistics Strategy Boutique-Ready, or Stuck in the Big-Box Era? The Game-Changing Micro-Store Mutation Flipping Retail Upside Down The rumblings are getting too loud to ignore - brick-and-mortar giants like Best Buy, Macy's and others are quietly shapeshifting into something radically different. And the implications could spark a supply chain shockwave crackling throughout the entire industry. So what exactly is going on? Let's break it down: The boutique experience took over and big-box behemoths decided smaller is the new bigger. They're intentionally SHRINKING retail footprints to morph into more...intimate...streamlined...convenient...experiences. But this isn't just about shelf spacing. It's a visionary play to fuse Amazon's fierce fulfillment speeds with the warm-and-fuzzies of a friendly neighborhood vibe. Essentially, it's customization meets blazing efficiency on an immense commercial scale. And believe it or not, the machinations required to pull this off are seismic for supply chains: 😮 Lightning-fast replenishment cycles 😮 Localized rapid-delivery warehouses 😮 AI-driven just-in-time inventory traveling surgical precision 😮 Hyper-personalized assortments catered to local markets In other words, big box's plunge into curated "boutique-ifying" might just crack their industry's code - delivering mass satisfaction on a human scale. But here's the multibillion-dollar question every supply chain maestro should be chewing on: Are today's logistics operations ready to harmonize with this customer-alchemy vision of merging mammoth-level volume with corner-store intimacy? Because this metamorphosis isn't just a retail tremor - it's a seismic reckoning that could redefine what exceptional customer experience and supply chain excellence even means in the years ahead. Those who evolve in lockstep may find themselves riding the next titanic shift in buying behavior. While those caught flat-footed...? Well, they'll be left playing a painful game of catch-up against customer whims that now behave more like Instagram feeds than predictable seasonal scripts. So get your supply chain's adaptive mutation plan prepared, because big box's shrinking footprints are about to make some giants-sized ripples disrupting your entire ecosystem soon enough...

DMart has massive leverage over Zeptos. I studied the two firms in detail, and here's a quick observation. DMart focuses on monthly groceries with high cart value Zepto focuses on daily use cases driven by poor planning. Competing with DMart would be next to impossible Their strength is driven by their network of 100+ stores. They negotiate higher discounts for buying in bulk and pass that discount to the customer. This results in 15% gross profits. And their positioning is rather simple 1/ "Everyday Low Prices". It's not a gimmick, but ruthless operational efficiency. 2/ DMart understands the Indian consumer. We all crave value, and their buy-one-get-one-free offers are hard to turn down. 3/ Offline retail isn't going extinct. In this case, AI disruption is unlikely. DMart's human touch is a competitive edge. I have not built a business that serves 100M + users (yet) And by that metric - I am no one to judge the operations of either company, But DMart's focus on sustainable growth is humbling. DMart can grow their business: - steadily - without VC Funding - and the top leadership can sleep well at night. ------ I create bite-sized case studies in product positioning. If you find this interesting, do follow Ryan. That's me, Hi 👋

Retailers and brands must adapt to the changing consumer preferences by adopting a channel-free approach to inventory and logistics. This approach not only reduces waste and carbon emissions but also optimizes inventory turnover and enhances margins. By implementing customer-friendly returns policies and investing in modern technology, retailers can streamline the returns process and increase full-price sales. Consolidation and deconsolidation in the middle mile make inventory more productive, while channel-free logistics connect existing infrastructure to simplify the order-to-delivery process. Embracing this mindset will enable companies to evolve with the market, maximize profits, and promote sustainability. #retailtrends #sustainability #channelfree #logisticsinnovation

How did we make the VP of Operations at JP Outfitters cry? Earlier this year, the business was facing challenges typical of an online retailer: ❌ Warehouse inefficiencies were driving up costs and impacting customer experience ❌ Warehouse labor costs were up 35% post-Covid ❌ Labor shortages impacting ability to handle increases in order volume ❌ Warehouse operations relied on inefficient processes and outdated technology They began the search for a 3PL. However, the questions remained: ❔When they chose a 3PL, what would the transition to a new system look like? ❔ How long would operations be on pause while they moved their operations to a new location? ❔ What were the implications for customer service? ❔ How long would it take? Enter Cart.com with a hybrid solution: Instead of moving JP Outfitters into our facility, why don’t we take over theirs? The result: a seamless transition in under 5 months. ✔️ Implementation into Cart.com’s payroll system and WMS software – an expense that would have easily cost JPOutfitters $700K+ and over a year to implement. ✔️ A fully modernized warehouse that didn’t have to move infrastructure. ✔️ Processing up to 1500 orders a day with a staff that is 30% smaller than in 2022 in half the time. So what drove the efficiency? ✅ Cart.com’s proprietary WMS system and processes ✅ Use of tablets equipped with infrared barcode readers ✅ The entire warehouse is mapped using 3D technology ✅ Wave technology that determines the best path for pickers ✅ Pickers able to manage up to 100 orders simultaneously instead of one at a time No wonder the company's operations leader cried tears of happiness. Thinking about switching to a 3PL but scared of what that might mean? Hear it right from our most recent happy customer – CEO of JP Outfitters, Arnold Cohen, in a recent conversation with Christine Russo on her MarketScale Watch What Happens? podcast. Learn about what Cart.com can do for you - starting at the 12-minute mark: https://lnkd.in/eQrVdgnR

🌟 Preview Alert- a sneak peek into exciting research sponsored by Jumpmind! Get ready to delve into the future of retail as we unveil a compelling preview exploring the vital question: "Why the Retail Store Won't Survive as a Tech-Free Zone." 💡 🔍 Curated by industry experts, this preview offers insight into the transformative role of technology in reshaping retail. https://lnkd.in/gtrua-mX #RetailTech #FutureofRetail #Jumpmind #ResearchPreview #InnovationInTheMaking 🛍💻

A technology-first mentality fosters a culture of innovation by challenging everyone in the retail organization to envision new ways in which technology can improve either the customer experience or operations. This cultural shift supports trying new things, taking calculated risks and gaining insight from setbacks.

Great article from The Food Institute today: "Is the Future of Retail Bionic?" It’s no secret that the future of retail is adaptive, immersive, and a little overwhelming to think about. What does that mean for the actual brick-and-mortar retail space, however? “It is not any particular technology or innovation that the retail industry needs in order to move into the future,” said Gary Hawkins, author of Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World, to TFI. “Rather, it is an understanding of the exponential world we now live in, an understanding of the growing gap as change outside the retail organization happens faster than within the organization, and a need to deliberately change paths to the exponential path to the future and away from the historical path to retail purgatory.” Bionic Retail is an Amazon #1 Bestseller! Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your favorite bookstore. https://lnkd.in/gDWSF7Mp The Food Institute Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) #foodindustry #foodretail #retail #retailtech #retailinnovation #retailstrategy #grocery #groceryretail #grocerytech #groceryinnovation #supermarket #cpg #cpgretail #fmcg #fmcgretail #tech #techinnovation #innovation #ceo #cmo #coo #cio #retailchange #retailtransformation #retaildisruption #transformation #disruption Amazon #exponentialchange https://lnkd.in/gntM-3cf

Reflecting on 2023, it's been a transformative year at Quickshift, marked by a shift in our problem-solving focus towards scalability. Our mission to develop a comprehensive omnichannel solution for brands has evolved, aspiring to be the sole partner a brand requires. Our primary emphasis has been on enhancing fulfillment efficiency across various channels and categories. This journey has involved fortifying our network, expanding our technological infrastructure, and assembling a dynamic team to navigate alongside us. As we step into 2024, our enthusiasm grows to intensify our dedication to the cross-border vertical. Quickshift now offers homegrown brands seamless access to 220 countries, promising optimal costs and delivery times. Recognizing the pivotal role of omnichannel presence for brands, we have also introduced B2B shipping. This feature simplifies the shipping process for brands, accommodating both partial truck and full truck shipments effortlessly. Our goal is to emerge as a fully integrated player in the fulfillment space. Here's to the exciting strides ahead