No more buyer’s Remorse

| MCM staff

It’s no secret that many of top multichannel merchants have created tremendous economic value through successful acquisition programs. For instance, Cornerstone

Streamlining reverse logistics

| Debra Ellis

The returns management process is undergoing an extreme makeover. Refusing to remain a neglected supply chain component pushed off into a dark corner,

That’s a Wrap

| Mark Del Franco

If your company caters to gift-givers, providing gift-wrapping services can be a point of differentiation that wins you the sale from your competitors.

The Human Factor in Slotting

| MCM staff

Optimizing warehouse slotting can be a full-time job. For most distribution centers, the mix of items is constantly in flux. Items change packaging, and therefore handling characteristics. New items replace old or are simply added to the mix. Seasonality, promotions, demand, and other factors beyond anyone

The Case for Multicarrier Shipping Solutions

| Rob Shirley

The major package carriers began providing PCs and printers to shippers 20 years ago to help them fill out waybills (the paperwork needed for shipment) faster. These devices were designed to print shipping labels, track, store recipient addresses, and provide reports and invoices for one single carrier and were not accessible for other functions.

Taking Measure of Picking

| MCM staff

We don’t have to tell you that improving profitability is the number-one driving force in today’s operating environment. Honing your picking productivity

Home Depot acquires Hughes Supply

| Jim Tierney

In its largest purchase since it was founded in 1978, Atlanta-based Home Depot acquired Hughes Supply, a $4.42 billion distributor of construction materials

The Case for Advanced Slotting Systems

| Paul Maurer

How do you determine the best location in a warehouse for your products? Most companies begin by looking at their order pattern. Fast-moving products are placed in the front of the warehouse, while slow-moving ones are placed in the back

The Four Keys to Improving Inbound Freight Management

| Curt Barry

Some things never change. After the holiday season, there is invariably a movement to determine how costs can be reduced for the upcoming year. Every aspect of the operation should and does come under review. But not every area of the business is given equal scrutiny. Management of the inbound freight function, for example, is one of the most overlooked areas for significant cost reduction.