Cross-Channel Executive Commentary

21. Guest Column: 5 Principles For Choosing A Fulfillment Partner
    7/29/2010
    Stretched resources often force a plateau in business growth for catalog and internet retailers. It is difficult to scale your operations for seasonality or growth while maintaining profit margins, even for the most well funded retailers. By Steve Warren
22. What Goes Mobile?
    6/23/2010
    The accelerated growth of mobile commerce, combined with the acuity of location-based applications makes it possible for direct response retailers to use the mobile channel for locally targeted mass marketing. One estimate, according to Mobile Marketer, puts worldwide mobile phone connections at 4 billion; while another by Neustar and SMS Mobile Marketing predicts that mobile revenue in the United States will reach $3.3 billion by 2013. By Leslie Belcher, President, Jesta I.S. Inc.
23. Guest Series Part 3: What Goes Mobile?
    6/23/2010
    The accelerated growth of mobile commerce, combined with the acuity of location-based applications makes it possible for direct response retailers to use the mobile channel for locally targeted mass marketing. One estimate, according to Mobile Marketer, puts worldwide mobile phone connections at 4 billion; while another by Neustar and SMS Mobile Marketing predicts that mobile revenue in the United States will reach $3.3 billion by 2013. By Leslie Belcher, President, Jesta I.S. Inc.
24. Three Strategies For Inventory Optimization
    5/26/2010
    In the first of four articles, we highlighted the gaps in inventory management identified by the Cross-Channel Retail Consortium that met in September 2009. This second article takes a closer look at the three strategies identified — visibility everywhere; sourcing flexibility; and exception detection, notification, and recovery. With these strategies, retailers can optimally use their inventory without risking stock-outs or incurring unnecessary operational costs. By John Stelzer, Sterling Commerce
25. Guest Series Part 2: Three Strategies For Inventory Optimization
    5/26/2010
    In the first of four articles, we highlighted the gaps in inventory management identified by the Cross-Channel Retail Consortium that met in September 2009. This second article takes a closer look at the three strategies identified — visibility everywhere; sourcing flexibility; and exception detection, notification, and recovery. With these strategies, retailers can optimally use their inventory without risking stock-outs or incurring unnecessary operational costs. By John Stelzer, Sterling Commerce
26. Guest Series Article 3: Call Centers Deliver Critical Service And Revenue Opportunities For Retailers
    5/24/2010
    Continuing in my series of articles recapping the best practices discussed at the Cross-Channel Retail Consortium meeting in the fall of 2009, we shift from inventory management to the call center. By Jim Bengier, Sterling Commerce
27. Call Centers Deliver Critical Service And Revenue Opportunities For Retailers
    5/24/2010
    Continuing in my series of articles recapping the best practices discussed at the Cross-Channel Retail Consortium meeting in the fall of 2009, we shift from inventory management to the call center. By Jim Bengier, Sterling Commerce
28. Fast-Track Cross-Channel Gains: The Final Frontier For Customer Share Of Wallet In Retail
    5/10/2010
    The driving factor behind cross-channel retailing is the customer, as the top two pressures facing retailers are the need to address rapid changes in customer affinity for sales channels and the need for a faster, easier, and more convenient shopping experience. By Sahir Anand, Chris Cunnane
29. Guest Series Article 1: Cross-Channel Gaps In Inventory Visibility Reduce Customer Service
    4/16/2010
    At the Retail Cross-Channel Consortium held on September 20, 2009, retailers discussed inventory management and the supply chain. One participant stated, "If you can't share inventory across channels – even visibility, forget about actual inventory – then you can't do most cross-channel activities." This first in a series of four articles will highlight the gaps in inventory visibility identified by the consortium, as well as inventory management best practices to overcome those challenges. By Jim Bengier, Sterling Commerce
30. Cross-Channel Gaps In Inventory Visibility Reduce Customer Service
    4/16/2010
    At the Retail Cross-Channel Consortium held on September 20, 2009, retailers discussed inventory management and the supply chain. One participant stated, "If you can't share inventory across channels – even visibility, forget about actual inventory – then you can't do most cross-channel activities." This first in a series of four articles will highlight the gaps in inventory visibility identified by the consortium, as well as inventory management best practices to overcome those challenges. By Jim Bengier, Sterling Commerce