From Dropship to Showroom: The Future of Inventory Management

This is a video podcast episode, which you can watch here.

Takeaways

• Data is integral to matching suppliers with retailers.
• Fit challenges in merchandising are both physical and technological.
• Retailers are increasingly adopting direct-to-consumer strategies.
• Physical retail spaces are evolving into showrooms and experience centers.
• Retail media is shifting toward more personalized and generative approaches.
• Marketplace strategies allow retailers to experiment with inventory models.
• Tech-first approaches are essential for modern retail operations.
• Market uncertainties are driving retailers to explore new categories and suppliers.
• Collaboration between brands and retailers is becoming more critical for success.

Chapters

00:00 This Week at Coresight Research: New Reports and Data

03:01 The Role of Merchandising in Retail

06:05 Understanding Fit: Technology and Product

09:10 Challenges in Product Assortment and Profitability

12:03 The Blurring Lines Between Retailers and Brands

15:09 The Future of Physical Retail Spaces

17:52 The Evolution of Retail Media

20:54 Marketplace Strategies and Inventory Management

23:58 Tech-First Approaches in Retail

27:08 Navigating Market Uncertainties

29:57 Final Thoughts and Predictions for 2025

Dive further into retail challenges and tech-driven solutions with the recent, in-depth report from Coresight Research and Rithum: Unlocking Success: The Pathway to Profitability for US Brands and Retailers