Fortifying the retail supply chain for an omnichannel future
Faced with ongoing uncertainty, retailers are strengthening their supply chain to keep shelves stocked, inventories healthy, and customers satisfied.
As Gen Z prepares to take over the world, they’re demanding the brands and retailers they purchase from to be better, from consumer experience to ethics and sustainability.
Brands need to get ahead of the curve by preparing their e-commerce supply chain for this next generation of consumers now.
Faced with ongoing uncertainty, retailers are strengthening their supply chain to keep shelves stocked, inventories healthy, and customers satisfied.
Gen Z is a force to be reckoned with. Born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, they’re entering the workforce and stepping boldly into financial independence. This is the first generation to have grown up with portable technology and internet access embedded into their everyday lives. While many of us remember playing quietly, Gen Zers were handed a smartphone or iPad.
With all of the information they could ever need at their fingertips, Gen Zers are more likely to do their research online when purchasing products. They also have strong opinions about the environment and social justice and recognize the power of social media when it comes to both purchasing decisions and holding companies accountable.
With their estimated buying power of $140 billion, it’s important we understand their needs clearly. And meeting these new consumer needs requires rethinking the e-commerce supply chain.
Gen Z consumers are beginning to flex their economic muscles, bringing different perspectives and expectations than previous generations. Brands need to adapt.
For the next generation of shoppers, it’s about more than a label. The brands they purchase goods from have to align with their values, genuinely.
For brands and retailers, this means the customer experience needs to be consistent on every channel- that’s everything from the amount of product, to the quality of images, to the actual content they’re sharing. And for e-commerce, it means the brand promise has to be fulfilled, which makes things like reliable delivery and frictionless shopping critical.
Gen Zers need to connect with brands that share their values, combined with their need to get products and services fast and efficiently creates an interesting intersection between supply chain and e-commerce.
This is where consumer-driven omnichannel capabilities place a strain on the global supply chain, and ultimately, the environment.
Technology plays a key role in adapting to this landscape, helping e-commerce brands meet omnichannel demands while allowing them to prioritize sustainability. Consumers now expect an unprecedented level of visibility, requiring a supply chain that’s data driven, intelligent and responsive to their needs.
The retail landscape has completely transformed in the past couple years, putting order fulfillment to the test. Here's what you need to know about fulfillment, post-pandemic.
When we’re talking about sustainability and e-commerce supply chain, shipping is a key component. According to Statista, 157 billion parcels were shipped globally in 2021. That number is expected to grow to 160 billion this year, reaching 266 billion in 2026.
The reality is that Gen Z is forcing change at an accelerated rate and will continue to do so. Brands and retailers will need to follow suit or be prepared to be left behind, because Gen Zers are watching and will hold them accountable, either through their purchasing power or on a public stage.