The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the health of individuals, communities, and economic sectors—and that includes retail establishments. Around the globe, in every country,normal life has changed dramatically, and we see the results in store closures (both temporary and permanent), employee layoffs, and people focused on and immediate essential needs. So we see apparel, shoes and non-essentials dropped down the list of purchasing priorities.

We already know that most retailers were under intense margin and revenue pressure before this crisis hit. Now one of the new financial burdens resulting from the pandemic is an abundance of inventory trapped throughout the supply chain. But, amidst this, there is still good news. If you are a retail business, there are a variety of options for you to work through these situational excesses. The optimal combination will depend on each retailer’s unique situation.

As the global economy slowly reopens, this timely blog from our partner, Info shares how retailers actually have 5 major opportunities for resolving their overstock issues.

Since 1983, Mitchell B. Chi, CPA, MBA, and General Manager - Enterprise Software, has worked with many Fortune 500 companies and hundreds of fast growth start-ups in designing low-cost agile business systems to stay ahead of the competition. He has authored numerous white papers, been a keynote speaker at national conferences, and continues to advise companies in building a “strategic vision with tactical results”.

Mitchell held executive positions with PriceWaterhouse, Goldman Sachs, Oracle, Infor, and 11 successful start-ups. A technology company he founded, MicroSage, won Small Business of the Year from the Small Business Administration. The next year MicroSage was awarded Minority Sub-contractor of the Year from the Department of Energy.

Mitchell is a dynamic and passionate speaker on many topics, especially how to stay relevant in today’s economy by empowering technology.

Q. The United States has depended on overseas manufacturing for many of our products which, in times like the current pandemic, has created a supply chain breakdown leading to stock out situations. In response to that do you think companies will focus on bringing more manufacturing back on shore to address this problem?

A. In the 1990’s, America sacrificed quality, availability, and brand loyalty for shareholder value, top line revenues, and acquisitions. The consumer was complicit in this, as they also sacrificed quality for price.

Fast forward to our current global quarantine and staying alive times. I believe the manufacturing reboot will be organic and with a huge “Buy America” movement, A.C. (After Corona). The US has a significant inventory of idle factories, the highest unemployment in history, and many families continue to be worried about basic commodities. Consider this: If there was a 10% increase due to “Buy America” that’s $2.15T of the US GDP of $21.47T. The trickle down could be as high as 5x or $10.75.2T from real estate (commercial and residential) renovations and durable goods to services and even, entertainment. 

Supply chains are the most fragile in the “first leg”, raw materials to finished product inventory. Currently, with supply chains stressed, US based, leading companies are developing plans to fortify as much of the “First Leg” back to America. The answer is not hard assets and labor alone. Flexible and agile technology is core to any tactical execution.

Michael A. Lea is a 25-year technology veteran who has demonstrated strong consultative sales management and leadership qualifications, and continues to remain a thought-leader about advanced software and business solutions designed to meet the diverse and rapidly evolving business demands of his clients

He has held various positions of increasing responsibility such as Senior Technical Sales Consultant for Infor, VP of Sales & Business Development for Coolearth Technologies, and most recently as a Consultative Sales Executive for Bora Enterprises.

A. The priority and goal for any process manufacturer is to have complete lot tracking and traceability. This is commonly referred to as the “genealogy” of all raw materials, resources, and assets that enter a facility, and remain within the four walls of the facility until it passes through the facility as a final product or goods.

Real-time, accurate data and visibility are a necessity. The OTC (Order-to-Cash) systems and solutions must be closed-loop and work in conjunction and seamlessly from customer order/demand through the PTP (Plan-to-Produce), the manufacturing process (including vendors, suppliers, and co-packers) and then finally shipping, distribution and logistics.

As a consultant I’m frequently asked what is the main pitfall towards achieving transparency and traceability? This is a hard question and a huge consideration for manufacturers as each situation is different and unique. It’s one of the first things we address in our strategic consultation.

Protective face masks that cover the mouth and nose have become a highly sought-after commodity in 2020 as the world deals with the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

As the United States faces a shortage of protective face masks, respirators, face shields, medical gowns, and other items of personal protective equipment (PPE), companies that do not specialize in medical supplies have begun to produce the PPE most-needed by those on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight.

Dolfin Swimwear, a division of Elite Sportswear and one of ICCG's valued customers, has begun producing protective face masks and mask covers for those in need of them. Face masks and covers will only become more important following a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that all individuals wear some kind of a face cover.

“During this unprecedented time, Elite Sportswear recognizes the importance of finding ways to support each other, and our Nation. That is why we are utilizing our production and manufacturing facilities to create essential medical supplies – protective masks and mask covers.

To all doctors, nurses, first responders, medical workers and essential personnel, we thank you for everything that you do. To our team, we are proud of you for helping make these needed materials happen. We are here for you and will come out strong, TOGETHER,” said Girisha Chandraraj, President and CEO of Elite Sportswear.

As Covid-19 moves across countries and has become the most written and talked about subject in the news, many of us have been moved to ask, “How can I help?”

Our customer, SP Apparel has answered the call by dedicating their manufacturing efforts 100% to the production of gowns and masks for medical personnel to help fight against COVID-19. Though we all may currently be socially distanced, SP Apparel is showing us that we’re all in this together.

Thank you to Steve Berard, CEO, SP Apparel & 3B Hockey and his entire team.

“RSWM implemented Infor Fashion Suite in their textile business and as an Industry specific software provider, we are proud to state that with the implementation led by our partner ICCG, RSWM has successfully rolled out the solution to their businesses and are able to realize the benefits as envisioned at the beginning of their technology modernization journey. ICCG helped with micro-vertical fit by delivering the last mile functionality needed for a textile business,” said Soma Somasundaram, President & CTO of Infor.

ICCG was requested by RSWM Management to first help them implement Infor M3 in the Yarn Manufacturing business of RSWM to onboard users on Infor’s leading ERP solution for Yarn and Textile Manufacturing division. On successful completion of that implementation, RSWM embarked on the project of modernizing its enterprise systems for the Denim fabric manufacturing division and that has been successfully completed by ICCG team.