There are lots of great things going on in grocery delivery. I get excited about tests of home delivery in San Francisco and New York. I am envious of Peapod services in Boston. Those of us who live in rural areas know that we are not likely to see drones in the sky any time…
Archives for out-of-stocks
4. Little Big Store: Finite Shelves, Infinite Aisles
The CPG industry went through a period where stores built supercenters large enough to require GPS systems in order to navigate. Those days are over. Today, most retailers are developing smaller formats for neighborhoods or urban environments. The recession enticed many non-grocery channels to expand their grocery offerings. Mass merchandisers, like Walmart and Target, have…
On the Road: Out-of-Stocks are a Global Challenge
On a recent trip to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, I stopped by a Mercadona (I am definitely a grocery geek) one Saturday morning. This particular store was experiencing the same out-of-stock challenges we face in the US. The much-challenged yogurt aisle had a number of missing items, with gaping holes. Luckily, store personnel had product…
6. Knowing the Unknown: Tacking Through the Demand and Anticipating the Shifts
Predicting and preparing for the future is the hallmark of success. Statisticians have spent entire careers trying to determine optimal production and shipments. Yet perfect forecasts still elude statisticians, and high error rates and incorrect inventory levels are the norm. While no crystal ball has yet emerged, the integration of real time demand data is…