Around the holiday
season, many consumers purchase most of their items online due to convenience.
The frustration arises when the wrong package is received or delivered late.
That’s right…a late package, or a difficult return process: What could be more
frustrating for consumers?
Online sales will continue to grow in 2012 and will become a bigger focus for retailers. Therefore, consumer sophistication, consumer behaviors, ease of access, and retailer incentives are all needed to boost online sales, as well as in-store sales.
For retailers this year, the question to ask yourselves is: Are you ready to grow? We know that supply chain organizations have their supply chains finely tuned - especially since retail customer service is not living up to standards - and now is the time to step up to the challenge.
The key focus is
improving customer service and managing processes. For instance, making your
website user-friendly will allow for increased purchases and satisfied
customers.
Below are some trends and
challenges to be on the lookout for in 2012:
- Best
practices
- Speed to
market
- E-Commerce
- China as
a market
- Demand-driven supply
chains
Following these five
trends will position retailers to emerge as industry leaders and allow for
healthy growth in the retail industry. Preparation will help beat out the
competition, so begin strategizing now for profitable
growth.
For additional
information on retail trends: Is Retail Ready to
Accelerate in 2012?
Go!Go!Go!
Jim
Resources
Strategies for Transforming Your Supply
Chains in 2012
Photo Credit: bikracer