Stan Zylowski

Speed and accuracy are the new business norm. Is your brand competitive? Today's retailers are looking for ways to be more responsive to financial variances, more proactive with data applications and more efficient with real-time decision making.  What if I told you finding a connected planning solution could do just that? Below are just a few benefits of having a connected platform: 1) Dynamic – planning and analytics performed rapidly as situations dictate. 2) Collaborative – involving the right people at the right times within the process including customers. 3) Intelligent – leverage internal and external data to unlock predictive insights. Columbus Consulting International has spent over a decade implementing connected planning solutions for Retail clients within finance and supply chain. We would be happy to schedule a discovery call to learn more about your business and help tailor a connected planning solution for you.

5

🚀 Insights from Walmart CEO Doug McMillon on eCommerce and Omnichannel Retail. Brilliant interview, thanks Stratechery. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: 🔹 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Initially, the potential of eCommerce was underestimated, but the acquisition of Jet.com was a game-changer. It brought in essential expertise and new perspectives, enabling Walmart to aggressively pursue and integrate digital retail. 🔹 𝐎𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Leveraging its vast network of physical stores, Walmart has created a seamless omnichannel experience. With stores in close proximity to customers, especially for groceries, Walmart has a unique competitive edge. Integrating supply chain and technology across channels has enhanced both customer experience and operational efficiency. 🔹 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The transition to a tech-savvy retailer required adopting agile methodologies and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Significant investments in automation and AI are optimizing Walmart’s supply chains and inventory management, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to retail technology. 🔹 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞: Integrating grocery with eCommerce has been a major advantage for Walmart. The grocery business drives frequent customer visits and supports the broader eCommerce strategy, solidifying Walmart’s market position by offering a comprehensive shopping experience both online and in-store. 🔹 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Walmart’s marketplace and its advertising platform, Walmart Connect, are crucial areas of focus. These initiatives aim to diversify revenue streams, enhance customer acquisition, and leverage Walmart's scale in both physical and digital retail. Do you follow Walmart's journey? #EmerceConsulting #Ecommerce #RetailInnovation #Omnichannel #Walmart #Leadership #TechnologyInRetail

39

1 Comment

Temu has set up U.S. warehouses for sellers on its growing marketplace to offer faster delivery. Thirty days ago, Temu launched a marketplace to increase the supply of goods with faster delivery. Previously, each order shipped from China, and despite using air freight and other optimizations, it typically took a week to reach the shopper. Temu’s new marketplace is for sellers with inventory already in the U.S. (or Europe, or elsewhere Temu operates). They can deliver goods significantly faster than a week. #temu #marketplace #ecommerce

1

Retail leaders want the quick fix. The shortcuts or hacks for eliminating headaches and exploding sales. (LinkedIn is FULL of these hacks!) And rightfully so. Amazon, as the most prominent example, is a complicated tech platform with dozens of variables to keep track of, many of which can unexpectedly and inexplicably go awry. The faster you can fix the issue, the sooner the business is back up and running, giving you back capacity to move on to the next task at hand. But there are no shortcuts for the strategic needle movers in an omnichannel business – they’re just plain hard. Thinks like: ▪ Leveraging AMC And Luminate in advanced ways ▪ Cracking the nut on reliable retail media measurement ▪ Developing and enforcing sound MAP and reseller policies ▪ Adjusting budgets quickly enough to respond to real-time changes in media ▪ Integrating Amazon and eCommerce at the start of your product innovation cycle ▪ Negotiating and investing in a way that drives above category profitability for you and your retail partner ▪ Coordinating across siloed internal and external sales and marketing teams to take advantage of the full-funnel impact of Amazon Our research at Stratably suggests few brands excel at the above because... They’re complex problems. They call for cross-functional collaboration. They often require change management. And there’s a degree of risk it won’t work out. If it’s hard, the average brand isn’t doing it. 💡 The good news? The hard stuff is where brands build their competitive edge and where individual eCommerce leaders like YOU make their mark. 👇 So, what’s the hard stuff you’re working on?

16

3 Comments

Amazon continuing its test & learn strategy to expand its grocery business. Also noteworthy is that it includes grocery retailers on Amazon.com, not just its own grocery ( continuing to build an ecosystem and offer more to customers) Excerpts: Dive Brief: Amazon announced Tuesday a new grocery subscription available to Prime members and customers using EBT. The subscription, which costs $9.99 per month for Prime members and $4.99 per month for non-Prime members with an EBT card, provides free grocery delivery on orders over $35 across Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and grocery retailers on Amazon.com such as Cardenas Markets and Save Mart.   The subscription adds to the string of changes Amazon is making to its grocery offerings as it looks to sharpen its presence as a grocer as well as bolster its Prime membership. Dive Insight: Amazon is positioning its new grocery subscription as a “low, monthly fee” that “pays for itself” after one delivery per month. “Our goal is to build a best-in-class grocery shopping experience — whether shopping in-store or online — where Amazon is the first choice for selection, value, and convenience,” Tony Hoggett, senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores at Amazon, said in an emailed statement. “We have many different customers with many different needs, and we want to save them time and money every time they shop for groceries.” Grocery delivery has been one area in particular that Amazon has grappled with recently. In January 2023, Amazon Fresh raised its threshold for free delivery to $150 but then 10 months later lowered that minimum to $100. A month later, Amazon said it started offering grocery delivery and free pickup to non-Prime members in all markets where its Amazon Fresh stores and online services operate, with plans to expand grocery delivery and free pickup from Whole Foods to shoppers who aren’t Prime members. #amazon #grocery #ecosystem

1