Are you ready to see what’s shaking up retail, wholesale, last mile logistics and beyond this week? We start by spotlighting OneRail’s revolutionary tech that’s putting a lock on inventory theft and breaking down the latest manufacturing metrics that might have you rethinking your next big move. Then, catch up with Lululemon as they sprint ahead with an omnichannel approach, winning over shoppers globally. Don’t miss out on how Keurig Dr Pepper’s latest acquisition aims to expand its reach. At the same time, we also take a peek into the future with the game-changing pivot to automated warehouses. Buckle up — there’s lots of innovation and insight to discuss.
Stay Ahead of Shrinkage: How OneRail’s Cutting-Edge Tech Helps Beat Theft
How do some businesses manage to keep track of every last item, no matter the chaos of their last mile delivery and day-to-day operations? With OneRail’s OmniPoint® Inventory Visibility platform now in the mix, companies have a next-gen tool on their side that keeps tabs on every product down to the SKU level and helps cut losses from theft and mishaps.
A Deep Dive Into OneRail’s Inventory Wizardry
With OneRail’s latest innovation, businesses now have the power to monitor their inventory. The OmniPoint system offers a crystal-clear view of every product’s journey, pinpointing who has it, where it is and when it changed hands. OneRail’s CEO, Bill Catania, highlights this as a game-changer, especially in a world where products can disappear between shipments — or even within the warehouse — due to simple errors or, worse, theft. That’s inventory shrinkage in a nutshell, for you.
Beat the Thieves: Track Every Move
The recent surge in cargo theft — up 46% in Q1 2024 — shows how vital tight security and detailed tracking have become. OneRail’s system integrates inventory and transportation data to create a seamless record from warehouse to delivery. At the same time, by quickly identifying the supply chain’s weak links, this approach can help prevent theft. In states like California, Texas and Illinois, where theft incidents are notably high, such detailed insights can be the difference between a secure shipment and a crushing loss.
May’s Manufacturing Metrics: What It Means for Supply Chains
May wasn’t exactly a banner month for manufacturing, with the ISM Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) slipping down half a point to 48.7%. While on the surface, it only looks like a tiny tick downward, it’s actually a huge deal if you’re counting on smooth shipments and solid supply chains.
Feeling the Squeeze in Supply Chains
There’s more to the raw numbers of the PMI drop — it’s a signal that the manufacturing sector is tightening its belt. Companies are cautious, holding off on big orders and scaling back on production, impacting not just how many goods are moving but where and when. So expect some delays and more unpredictability, especially as May marked the 18th month out of the last 19 that the PMI fell.
Adapting to Keep Things Moving
Despite the downturn, not everyone’s stuck in the mud. Some sectors, like Chemical Products and Printing, are still seeing growth and are likely pushing their logistics to keep up with demand. Conversely, industries like wood products and transportation equipment are having a tougher time. For them, it’s about getting creative with logistics — finding cost-effective ways to store and move goods so they’re ready when demand picks back up.
Lululemon’s Winning Strategy: Omnichannel Sparks Global Growth
Lululemon is catching fire globally, with a standout 35% jump in international sales — led by a 45% surge in China. Here’s how their savvy omnichannel approach is opening doors worldwide and what it means for shoppers everywhere:
Omnichannel at the Heart of Global Expansion
While North America saw a modest sales increase of 3%, Lululemon’s international markets are booming. CEO Calvin McDonald attributes this success to replicating their North American strategy globally, blending high-performing physical stores with e-commerce platforms. Such a well-constructed omnichannel strategy meets consumers where they are — both online and in-store — and appeals to different shopping preferences and habits.
Loyalty Programs Supercharge Customer Engagement
Lululemon is also deepening connections with its customers through a strong loyalty program. Now counting approximately 20 million members in North America, the program offers exclusive perks like early access to new products and invites to special events. This approach encourages frequent purchases and builds a community of loyal brand advocates. And it’s clearly working, as 72% of shoppers worldwide are eager for such personalized, omnichannel rewards.
Keurig Dr Pepper Expands Its Reach with Kalil Bottling Co Acquisition
After acquiring Kalil Bottling Co, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is revamping its strategy, direct-store delivery (DSD) network and consumer outreach in Arizona. As it expands its reach to over 7.4 million consumers, the sky’s the limit.
Upgrading DSD Operations in Arizona
If you’re an Arizona consumer, Keurig Dr Pepper is taking a big step to guarantee your favorite drinks like Canada Dry and Snapple are always on the shelves and ready when you are. By acquiring Kalil Bottling Co., KDP isn’t just growing bigger — it’s getting smarter about getting products from the factory to your local store faster and more efficiently. Now, with key facilities in Tucson and new hubs in both Tucson and Tempe, they’re positioned to meet market demands quicker and keep their inventory in tip-top shape, from production to point-of-sale.
Enhancing Retail Relationships and Market Agility
With its strategic acquisition, Keurig Dr Pepper aims to become a more familiar face in nearly 4,500 retail outlets across Arizona. Beyond delivering drinks, embracing such a direct-store-delivery model is about delivering reliability and variety right to consumers. With direct control over distribution, Keurig Dr Pepper can make sure that stores are well-stocked, that hot items are quickly replenished and that every shelf looks inviting.
Automated Warehouses: How They’re Changing the Game in Logistics
Finally, logistics is buzzing with excitement with the rise of automated warehouses. Warehouses are increasingly evolving into spaces where machines handle heavy lifting, systems manage space precisely and operations run more smoothly and efficiently, thanks to tools like Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), robotics and Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs).
Streamlining with Smart Tech
Think of automated warehouses as the ultimate upgrade to your traditional storage facilities. Here, machines like ASRS work tirelessly to sort and store goods, making misplaced items a thing of the past. Robots roam the aisles, picking and packing with incredible accuracy, which means fewer delays and less waiting for that crucial shipment. It’s almost like having a super-efficient assistant who never takes a break.
Saving Space and Keeping Safe
Space is a premium in any warehouse, and automated systems like VLMs are the perfect solution. They stack high and tight, squeezing every inch of available space so you never waste a corner, keep costs down and make operations cleaner and more organized. Shifting the riskiest tasks to machines also leads to significantly safer environments that reduce the chance of accidents and keep employees out of harm’s way.
Starting and Ending the Week with OneRail
That’s a wrap on a week brimming with breakthroughs. We kicked off this week’s rundown with a look at OneRail’s OmniPoint Inventory Visibility platform, and we’re going to end it with OneRail’s other solutions. The logistics and supply chain world stops for no one, but OneRail’s here to help your operations with the following:
- Unparalleled Courier Network: Place your deliveries in trusted hands by tapping into OneRail’s massive national network, boasting over 12 million vetted drivers.
- OmniPoint Platform: Leverage OneRail’s OmniPoint Platform for automated rate shopping, smart matching and real-time visibility to guarantee timely and cost-effective deliveries.
- Exceptions Assist™: Benefit from proactive monitoring, with a dedicated team of logistics experts at the ready 24/7 to tackle any challenges and disruptions, safeguarding your on-time delivery rate.
No matter your industry, OneRail can transform your logistics strategy. Schedule a demo today to find out how.
