Faisal Masud

Hello Retail Friends,   I cannot stress enough how important fresh products are to grocery retailers. When it comes to inventory planning, “point solutions” that lack end-to-end integration and only address store-level planning simply are not enough!   Retailers need proven, multi-echelon planning solutions that extend beyond the store - unifying, automating, and optimizing planning in stores, DCs, and omnichannel. This is the only way to get crucial visibility and insight across the end-to-end value chain.   https://lnkd.in/ej53RsFV #supplychain #grocery #freshproduce How to improve retail fresh food inventory management | RELEX Solutions Tackle fresh food inventory management challenges head-on with the right strategies and robust planning software. www.relexsolutions.comhas context menuCompose

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Amazon Dominates Home Furnishings Market as Walmart Struggles to Keep Up Amid Growing Consumer Demand for Discounts. 👉 Amazon is becoming dominant in the furniture and home furnishings market, holding nearly three times Walmart's market share. 👉 Amazon's market share continues to increase while Walmart's is declining. 👉 Amazon is doing everything possible to drive up its share of spending in the category, including launching its first-ever "Big Spring Sale" event, offering up to 40% off select home products. 👉 Consumers are looking for deals, as economic challenges limit shoppers' purchasing power, and both Amazon and Walmart have seen success with their savings events. 👉 Walmart is looking to drive revenue in other ways, such as integrating AI features into its app to improve the online shopping experience and selling its AI-powered truck Route Optimization software to other companies. #amazon #walmart #ecommerce #retail #homegoods

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“70% of our customers said they would not buy from us unless they touched and felt the product.” 💬 Here’s another digitally native brand that has seen the power of opening physical stores. Check out the episode to hear the story of apparel retailer UNTUCKit’s growth into brick & mortar and the importance of treating the customer as the channel.    #brickandmortar #retail #retailindustry #customerexperience #retailing 

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BRILLIANT RESEARCH: Five 2024 Holiday Shopping Predictions https://lnkd.in/emwXStw7  Holiday shopping will look different for retailers this year.  After remaining largely resilient throughout four years of economic uncertainty, consumers are finally feeling the pinch.  Nearly a third of global shoppers (32%) reported using alternative credit services like buy now, pay later (BNPL) more frequently this year #retail Digital Commerce 360

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Dear Retail Friends,   If you’re a wholesaler, access to data from suppliers and retail customers is critical in enabling optimal service levels with minimal inventory. But getting that data, and acting upon it, can be challenging.   While there are many hurdles to this kind of collaboration, it can be done. And the benefits are numerous – not just for wholesalers, but their suppliers and retail customers as well.   https://lnkd.in/dbxub36v   #supplychain #supplychainoptimization #wholesaledistribution The future of wholesale supply chain collaboration | RELEX Solutions Unlock insights on boosting wholesale collaboration for supply chain efficiency and profit in this expert interview.

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Kohl’s said Friday it was closing 27 underperforming locations in 15 states by April — a fraction of its 1,150 store base — as the struggling department store chain aims to boost profitability and improve sagging sales.

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Retail CEOs know that holding too much inventory can weigh down profits, but cutting back without a strategy is risky. One customer I worked with figured it out. By diving into detailed analytics, this customer's Chief Merchandising Officer built a smarter assortment strategy, cutting down on inventory by choosing the right products for each store. They looked at exactly what was selling, tailored sizes to local demand, and sent only what each location needed. In the end, this approach meant less inventory on hand but still met customer needs—and brought in an 8-digit profit boost. Want to see the case study? Send me a DM for access.

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Retail's next big growth play is hiding in plain sight - right on store shelves. Coresight Research data shows that smart retailers are doubling down on in-store tech. As of Q2, about 50% have invested in solutions targeting: - Addressable out-of-stocks - Pricing and promo execution - Planogram compliance - Allocation and assortment optimization Over 80% of the remaining retailers plan to invest in these areas by Q2 2025. Nailing just ONE of these can boost sales up to 6% and operating margin by 5%. The future of retail is not just digital-first. It's data-first, store-centric, and powered by intelligent automation.

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How can you best maintain your focus through the holidays and end-of-year? 𝗡𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀. 💡   Wait ... what? I know this sounds radical, but hear me out.   Convenience Store News just published a piece on the innovation agenda for convenience retailers, citing five strategic initiatives that will never get old.   1️⃣ The Store Experience 2️⃣ Foodservice Innovation 3️⃣ Customer Engagement 4️⃣ Data-Driven Decision Making 5️⃣ Workforce Optimization   "𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤-𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴."   These are not new concepts, but rather well-known ideas put into action. Take a look at this work from Melissa Kress, Danielle (Romano) Rowan, and Tammy Mastroberte to see how the winners keep winning, even despite "no new ideas."   📕 Read on: https://lnkd.in/g5wwrenK #convenience #cstore #innovation #roadmap #digital

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An independent investigation uncovered that a Macy's employee intentionally hid $132M-$154M in delivery expenses over several years, delaying the release of Macy’s quarterly results and shaking investor confidence. 🔎 Key Takeaways: • Accountability Matters: Even a single individual’s misconduct can have significant ramifications, from financial inaccuracies to reputational damage. • Controls Are Crucial: Robust internal controls and regular audits can detect and prevent unethical practices before they escalate. • Transparency Is Key: Macy’s swift action to investigate and disclose the issue reflects the importance of transparency in rebuilding trust. 💡 The Lesson for All of Us: Strong accounting systems and ethical practices are not just back-office functions—they’re the backbone of a business’s credibility and operational success. Whether you’re managing a Fortune 500 company or a small business, investing in oversight, ongoing training, and a culture of integrity is non-negotiable. This story is a good reminder of the significance of diligence in our accounting processes. Ethical practices don’t just protect your bottom line—they uphold the trust of stakeholders, customers, and employees alike. Oh - and you should have an ERP system that helps you maintain your internal processes, not hinder them. It might just save you $154 million dollars. https://lnkd.in/gmGf4c9W #Accounting #CorporateEthics #BusinessIntegrity #Finance

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During my decades in retail, I’ve seen how yesterday’s innovations become today’s customer expectations. Which means I’m always on the lookout for the latest breakthroughs that are poised to become tomorrow’s “table stakes.” Things like omnichannel retailing, price matching, curbside pickup and self-checkout have quickly gone from unique selling points for retailers to baseline expectations for consumers. Here are some emerging technologies I’m watching: 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 According to Sender.net, 80% of self-identified frequent shoppers say they only buy from businesses that tailor their experiences. Hyper-personalization, driven by advanced data analytics and AI, allows us to offer customized recommendations, promotions, and services. This level of personalization will soon be a fundamental aspect of customer engagement, ensuring each interaction feels unique and relevant. 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗔𝗜) AI is revolutionizing retail, from predictive analytics and inventory management to customer service and personalized marketing. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants enhance the shopping experience by providing instant, accurate responses and recommendations. As AI continues to evolve, it will become integral to retail operations as a way of optimizing operations and boosting customer satisfaction. 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗩𝗥/𝗔𝗥) VR and AR technologies are opening new dimensions in customer engagement. Virtual try-ons, immersive product displays, and interactive store experiences are reshaping how customers interact with brands. These technologies provide a rich, engaging shopping experience that transcends traditional boundaries. Soon, they will be critical elements of the retail landscape. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 I recently checked out at my local Whole Foods using just the palm of my hand. Contactless biometric payments like this are becoming more prevalent. So are digital wallets including cryptocurrencies. These advanced payment methods offer greater convenience, security, and speed, aligning with the expectations of today’s tech-savvy consumers. Adopting these technologies will soon be essential for our customers. 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 The future of retail is unfolding before our eyes, with rapid innovation and ever-evolving customer expectations. As a retail leader, my role has always been to ensure my teams not only adapt to these changes but anticipate them. By integrating today’s breakthroughs and preparing for tomorrow’s advancements, we can continue to deliver exceptional value and experiences to our customers. The key to success lies in our ability to remain agile, innovative, and customer-centric. The future of retail is now, and it’s an exciting journey we’re all embarking on together.

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https://lnkd.in/e_SBj6gX This article perfectly highlights the frustrations many shoppers face today, and I saw it firsthand during a recent visit to a big-box mass retailer. A ton of the product in this store was locked up, requiring customers to hunt down an employee to unlock cases. I watched as an associate finally opened a case, only to hand the item directly to the customer—so, what problem was that supposed to solve? To make matters worse, the store had only one cashier with a line of seven people, all with overflowing carts. Given I only had a few small items, I headed to the self-checkout—only to find all six stations closed. What’s happening to customer experience in retail? Are operational challenges and loss prevention efforts making it harder for retailers to put the shopper first?

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Stores Closing In 2024 - Rue 21 closing all 540 remaining stores after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy - Foot Locker is closing a total of 400 stores in mall locations (20% of their locations) - Rite Aid has already closed 231 locations this year (13.5% of their total locations) - Best Buy are closing 15 of their locations - Family Dollar is closing 600 stores - CVS is closing 900 stores by the end of the year (10% of their locations) - Bed Bath & Beyond closing all 360 remaining stores after filing for bankruptcy - Christmas tree shops is closing all 73 of its remaining stores - Charters closing all stores as part of a shift to online retail - The 99 Cent Store all 371 locations makes sense considering the economy - Express closes 95 of its stores as part of its bankruptcy restructuring (20% of store locations) - Walgreens is closing 150 stores by August - H&M is planning to close 240 stores globally - David’s Bridal closing all locations - Tuesday Morning closing all locations - Party City was closing all 45 of their remaining stores after restricting bankruptcy they will remain open but still be forced to close down 33 stores Additional closures and layoffs: - Big Lots closing dozens of stores in California - Outback Steakhouse has already closed 40 of its restaurants - UPS is cutting 12,000 jobs in 2024 - Citigroup cutting 20,000 positions as well - EBay, Thousand jobs lost there - Microsoft, cutting 1900 positions - Expedia, cutting 1500 - Cisco, cutting 4,000 - Apple, cutting 600. - Regal Cinemas closing 429 locations - Kroger's grocery store chain shutting down 413 stores - Foot Locker closing 400 stores by 2026 - Macy's will close a 150 locations by 2026 - Walmart, already this year, has closed 6 of its super centers

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Resharing Betty Lin-Fisher's Insightful USA TODAY Article on Proposed Tariffs and their Impact on Retailers: Thank you, Betty Lin, for including me in your thoughtful piece on how President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could ripple through the retail industry. It’s always a pleasure to collaborate and share insights alongside industry experts like Balika Sonthalia, Jonathan Gold, Neil Saunders, and Lauren Beitelspacher. The article sheds light on critical points, including: 1️⃣ Tariffs' Direct Impact on Consumers – Retailers may have no choice but to pass on the increased costs to shoppers. 2️⃣ Supply Chain Challenges – Tariffs are likely to disrupt sourcing strategies, forcing businesses to rethink how they bring products to market. 3️⃣ Category-Specific Effects – Certain product categories may see steeper price hikes than others, making strategic inventory planning more important than ever. At Nextuple Inc, we’re deeply committed to helping retailers navigate these challenges. By leveraging advanced inventory and order management technologies, we empower our clients to optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance their ability to deliver value to customers—even in a rapidly changing economic environment. This is a pivotal time for the retail industry, and staying proactive is key. To read Betty's full article and gain a deeper understanding of the conversation, check it out here: Let’s continue to drive innovation and resilience in the face of uncertainty. 💡 #RetailIndustry #Tariffs #SupplyChainInnovation #OrderManagement #Nextuple

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Hello Retail friends, “Phantom inventory” sounds like a scary term – and for good reason. It refers to goods that appear available in inventory systems but are physically missing from the shelves. The result? Lost sales, frustrated customers, and distorted demand forecasts. The good news is there is a better way, by using predictive inventory. This is a technology that leverages machine learning to identify inventory inaccuracies, improving the accuracy of automatic replenishment. It also helps retailers identify inventory gaps and their impacts on the business. It’s a powerful way to leverage modern AI and machine learning in the retail supply chain. We’ve got an entire webinar coming up about this - in the meantime read all about it, and sign up for the webinar, here: #machinelearning #ai #retail #futureofretail

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Hello Retail Friends, I am proud to announce that RELEX is once again designated as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Collaborative Supply Networks, Q4 2024 report. This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to enhancing supply chain transparency, resilience, and efficiency for US retailers. Our top scores in innovation, vision, and several key areas, including embedded AI and ML, highlight our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions. These capabilities enable seamless collaboration between retailers and suppliers, ensuring that our customers can anticipate changes in demand and supply, and continuously align production and transportation schedules. This acknowledgment from Forrester reaffirms our mission to drive mutual success through advanced supply chain and retail planning capabilities. We remain committed to delivering the tools necessary for our customers to achieve unparalleled supply chain visibility and operational excellence. Read the full press release here: https://bit.ly/3YJHbFU #SupplyChain #Forrester #AI #Innovation #RetailExcellence RELEX recognized as a Leader for the first time in this report by independent analyst firm, for demonstrating “a superior vision of an adaptive and autonomous supply chain…”…  

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It was reported that Macy's will be delaying the reporting of their Q3 earnings report. Why you ask? Because a singular employee - who no longer works for the business - hid up to $154M in potentially fraudulent expenses. This leads to the obvious questions. What checks and balances are in place? Are all expenses reviewed, and if not, is there an "impression of control" leading all to believe that all expense reports are reviewed before approval? Even if it turns out that there was no actual financial loss, the issue was concerning enough for the decision to be made to postpone an earnings report for one of the biggest retailers in the U.S. If your company doesn't have an audit program in place or doesn't believe that employee theft and fraud can be impactful - think again. #HowcanIhelpyou

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Hello Retail Friends, convenience retailers face unique challenges. Small footprints and limited storage space require highly accurate and scalable supply chain planning – especially when charged with supporting aggressive growth targets. We’re proud to announce that OXXO, the largest convenience retail chain in the Americas, recently chose RELEX to optimize forecasting and replenishment as they focus on international growth.    https://lnkd.in/ebaedkfH   #supplychainplanning #supplychainoptimization #supplychain OXXO Internacional Enhances Retail Operations with RELEX Solutions for Forecasting and Replenishment | RELEX Solutions Focused on international growth, OXXO adopts RELEX AI-driven forecasting and replenishment solutions for smarter supply chain and inventory management.

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