Found these telling soundbites in an SJ article today:

“Retailers are extremely challenged right now. They are grappling with the impact of e-commerce, a pervasive promotional environment and high levels of inventory. This translated to a lower order volume for our business during the first six months of the year.”

“The retail environment continues to be very weak. In the first half of 2016 we have seen disruption to production markets, an uncertain trade policy environment and historically low freight rates.”

“Speed, innovation and digitalization of the supply chain will be at the heart of the new plan.”

WAY back in 1985, while I was with IBM, I was giving talks on the three great trends of the day. They were consolidation, globalization and computerization. Well, here we are some 30 plus years later and guess what, those words still apply.

I also like three words Chuy Canahuati of Elcatex favors to describe the opportunity today: differentiation, personalization and immediacy.

Whatever short list of words you tape by your desk is important. Using them to drive your company is mission critical. 

Mike