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The disruptions throughout the apparel supply chain have caused retailers to rethink how they approach their operations from source to customer. But if one thing is becoming more certain, retailers can no longer rely on disparate, disconnected tools and processes when they need a real-time view of their products at all times.
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JoAnn Martin, vice president of industry strategy at Blue Yonder, a provider of fulfillment and supply chain solutions, points out that the key to gaining this inventory visibility and delivering customer-centric experiences and in the Covid-19-driven environment “starts with connecting every aspect of the supply chain, from planning to execution.”
In a chat with Sourcing Journal, Martin discussed how Blue Yonder has adapted to the pandemic, the growing need for AI and machine learning to be present within a supply chain strategy to gain accurate visibility, and what 2021 holds for the apparel industry.
Sourcing Journal: Given Blue Yonder’s perspective of the overall market, what are the most noticeable trends or current issues facing the industry?
JoAnn Martin: We live in a period of increasing uncertainty and rapidly changing markets. Customers are shifting purchases online in greater numbers and shopping less frequently. We have seen the return of the weekly shopping trip versus multiple trips during the week. Some of the changes started in the COVID-19 era will likely remain in the new normal. There will be other pivots in the future.
While retailers may lack the experience to navigate changing customer behavior, they understand the fundamentals...