Pictured far left: Jeff Davidson, vice president of operations, Ingram Micro Commerce & Fulfillment.
Leading retailers attended Omnichannel Fulfillment & Logistics 2016 in Atlanta last week where Jeff Davidson, Vice President of Operations, Ingram Micro Commerce & Fulfillment, shared insights centered around inventory strategies that support a seamless omnichannel experience.
When asked about cross-border ecommerce and the opportunity for limitless retail, Mr. Davidson shared the importance of keeping the buyer experience as a central focus. “When planning for commerce across global markets, it’s important to establish a seamless delivery experience and promise delivery only when production is locked to ensure a great customer experience and protection of your brand,” he said.
Here are some key omnichannel fulfillment trends from this year’s forum:
In light of the U.K.’s decision last week to leave the European Union, Mr. Davidson called attention to the importance of offering great buyer experiences, which include digital interactions. This sentiment was supported in by Simon Birkenhead, European Managing Director at L2, in a note quoted by Internet Retailer, “We would encourage digitally led organizations to use the confusion around Brexit to outsmart their slower moving competitors and focus on delivering exceptional digital experiences for their customers.”
In our next blog post, we’ll discuss solutions for enterprise-wide inventory visibility—a must-have in order to succeed in omnichannel fulfillment.
Leading retailers attended Omnichannel Fulfillment & Logistics 2016 in Atlanta last week where Jeff Davidson, Vice President of Operations, Ingram Micro Commerce & Fulfillment, shared insights centered around inventory strategies that support a seamless omnichannel experience.
Customers don’t want distinctions made between in-store and online inventory.
As retailers discussed challenges they face to keep pace, including innovating, remaining competitive and growing global market share, an unofficial theme emerged, “Retail Without Limits.”
Here are some key omnichannel fulfillment trends from this year’s forum:
- Retailers are increasingly realizing that omnichannel roadmaps have become full brand roadmaps and that they are necessary in informing decision making.
- Breaking down internal silos will be critical for brands and retailers in the next phase of the omnichannel journey.
- Attribution of sales has pushed retailers to take a closer look at traditional P&L structures, which were previously lined between retail and ecommerce. Today, several retailers have adjusted P&L based on factors like where a customer initially demanded the product or sharing credit based on ecommerce purchases plus consumer geography (nearest store location).
- Marketplaces are of high value because consumers consistently visiting them—sometimes first—to look for products. To remain competitive, develop brand strategies that consider marketplace presence.
- Customers don’t want distinctions made between in-store and online inventory.
In light of the U.K.’s decision last week to leave the European Union, Mr. Davidson called attention to the importance of offering great buyer experiences, which include digital interactions. This sentiment was supported in by Simon Birkenhead, European Managing Director at L2, in a note quoted by Internet Retailer, “We would encourage digitally led organizations to use the confusion around Brexit to outsmart their slower moving competitors and focus on delivering exceptional digital experiences for their customers.”
In our next blog post, we’ll discuss solutions for enterprise-wide inventory visibility—a must-have in order to succeed in omnichannel fulfillment.