Can Salespeople Be Replaced by Technology?

Last week management at JC Penny stated that within the near future RFID (radio frequency identification) bar code labels will be attached to all of their merchandise in all of their stores.  These “intelligent” labels will allow a store to track the exact location of...

Analyze Your Customer Service… Hit or Miss?

Competition is greater today than ever before. It is critical that every business knows how well it is meeting its customers’ needs, identifying deficiencies, and putting into place improved practices and procedures. In previous newsletters we have discussed the...

Inventory Profitability Measurements

Last month we looked at how to calculate inventory turnover. Many companies view inventory turnover as their primary measurement of inventory performance. But should turnover be the only inventory metric analyzed on a regular basis? If a company enjoys high gross...

Deciding How Much to Buy

In today’s economy we see many companies emphasizing “cash flow management” over profitability. That is, they are willing to sacrifice some profit dollars in order to invest smaller amounts in inventory. If you find yourself in this situation, I have...

Fine-Tuning Safety Stock

Safety stock provides protection against stock outs due to unexpected demand for a product or delays in receiving a replenishment shipment from a supplier. It is insurance – and like other types of insurance, it is an expense of doing business. Like many other types...

Develop Your Approved Stock List

Last month we discussed the first step in the 12-Step Program to Achieve Effective Inventory Management, ensuring that all material movement is properly recorded. Now we are ready to move onto step #2, developing an approved stock list for each of your stores or...

A Realistic Approach to Inventory Reduction

A participant in one of our October workshops was frustrated. “Management wants me to reduce inventory by 25% and I have no idea how to do it.” I asked how they came up with this figure and he responded, “I don’t know.” Without direction...