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1、Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.1Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Featuring comment fr
2、om seasoned retail experts including:Christine Russo Founder Retail Creative&RCCAMark Elward Chief Commercial Officer HubooNicole Leinbach Reyhle Founder Retail MindedAndrew Busby Global Retail Industry Leader Retail ReflectionsMartin Balaam CEO and Founder PimberlyBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserv
3、ed.2Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Holidays(and Challenges)Are Coming2Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For H
4、oliday Season 2022For retailers worried about the challenges peak season 2022 will bring,theres good news and not-so-good news.The not-so-good news is that the problems that plagued retailers last year including increased costs,supply chain issues and surging online demand(see right for full rundown
5、)are back,and some with a twist.A post-pandemic landscape,with a supply chain crisis and economic meltdown thrown in,means many of the issues in peak season 2021 have snowballed into worrying trends for 2022.Already this year we have asked brands to act in response to the dawn of the Hyper-scalable
6、Era,defined by the ever-evolving demand for new services and better shopping experiences and by the ability of brands to rapidly adapt and curate their offering accordingly.Unfortunately,we know that despite brands needing flexibility to adapt and rise to the challenge of modern retail,many lack the
7、 technology to do so and are instead married to rigid,outdated ERPs and other standalone systems.Without a radical overhaul of their operating systems,many brands will face their most difficult holiday season yet.But there is some good news.Brands can rise to the challenges this years peak season wi
8、ll bring,if they take action now to implement key tech tools that will cushion them from the blows the busy season will inevitably deliver.As the saying goes,knowledge is power and one of the smartest moves retailers can make right now is to be informed about the current trends and impending challen
9、ges,and ensure they have the insight and the tech to address them.This report will outline the key challenges merchants in the UK and US will face this holiday season.Each chapter will focus on a separate trend or challenge to reveal enlightening data and share all-important practical advice to help
10、 retailers beat back the challenges,and be best-placed to enjoy a successful and profitable holiday season.The top 10 biggest challenges US brands faced last holiday season 1.Increasedcosts2.Inventoryshortages3.Supplychainissues4.Delayedorders5.Stockoutsandproductshortages6.Laborshortages7.Attractin
11、gnewcustomers8.Peakonlinedemand9.Complexitiesofmultipleshoppinganddeliverychannels10.Lacklustertechnology The top 10 biggest challenges UK brands faced last holiday season1.Supplychainissues2.Increasedcosts3.Stockoutsandproductshortages4.Delayedorders5.Inventoryshortages6.Attractingnewcustomers7.Lab
12、orshortages8.Peakonlinedemand9.Returnsmanagement10.ComplexityofmultipleshoppinganddeliverychannelsINTRODUCTIONBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.3Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season
13、 2022Quash Your Multichannel Fears to Win Big This Peak SeasonThe trend is crystal clear:consumers are increasingly experimenting with a range of new and non-traditional channels for both discovery and purchase.In a break from the convention of simply shopping in physical stores,and even with shoppi
14、ng on a brands own website,two thirds(66%)of consumers have turned to new sales platforms for their shopping,including for peak season.In our research,all age groups reported finding a range of new shopping channels appealing,including Facebook(40%),Amazon Alexa(35%),Pinterest(32%),and TikTok(29%)as
15、 well as platforms like livestream and Twitch.As part of this growing love affair between consumers and new shopping channels,32%of UK shoppers and 35%in the US told us they feel frustrated by brands that dont sell on their favorite online channel.Younger shoppers feel this even more so.In fact,a th
16、ird(33%)of shoppers in the UK claim they would buy from a competitor that sold on their preferred buying channel over an existing brand theyve been loyal to before.Worryingly,many brands have failed to get the memo about this multichannel shopping trend or at least failed to take action.A whopping 7
17、5%of businesses in the UK and 58%in the US chose not to adopt any new sales channels ahead of last years holiday season.It appears many retailers are put off by the cost,hassle and time involved in setting up and then managing multiple new sales channels.In the US,one in 10 firms claimed the complex
18、ities of multichannel shopping and delivery channels was their biggest challenge last holiday season.However,while such concerns are understandable,they simply arent realistic.Opting out of adding new channels isnt an option for merchants that want to win big this holiday season,and doing so will ho
19、ld brands back from monetising the festive season to its fullest potential.3The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022CHAPTER 1Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.4Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must
20、-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Why multichannel makes senseIts obvious:when merchants make their products available for purchase on more than one platform,they widen their reach and therefore sell more products,increase their revenue and achieve their growth goals.S
21、elling on multiple channels this peak season might sound daunting,but the process doesnt need to be complicated.The right technology primarily a retail-focused operating system will connect you to virtually any sales channel in minutes,allowing you to manage your inventory across channels in real ti
22、me(so abating the risk of overselling),maintain complete visibility and turn channels on and off as needed all in one place.Too many brands remain married to traditional ERPs but its increasingly acknowledged that these antiquated,rigid systems cant offer the speed,flexibility and agility required t
23、o quickly add new channels,as and when they are needed.To win big this peak season,merchants must finally get the memo about the opportunity of multichannel selling and they must implement a cutting-edge operating system that removes the operational complexity of cashing in on it.If a multichannel a
24、pproach was key to the success of merchants in 2021,its set to be even more essential in 2022.Its undoubtedly a challenge but its one that retailers can rise to,as long as they have a purpose-built operating system up their sleeve.Online appliance parts specialist Snap Supply got tangled up in the w
25、eb of multichannel complexity and learned the hard way about the importance of having the right operating system in place in order to make it a success.The brands Co-founder Nick Ernst says:“We struggled with the complexity multichannel selling brought.Our inventory didnt update across channels,so w
26、e would oversell on Amazon and then get suspended because we didnt have enough in stock to ship what we sold that day.“We ended up afraid to take on new channels,it felt too risky.Thats where Brightpearl came into play.Brightpearl can get you on those channels quickly and your inventory syncs automa
27、tically.”Since implementing Brightpearl as its retail operating system,Snap Supply has been able to add and manage Amazon and other new sales channels with ease.4How Snap Supply stopped being scared of multichannel selling“We ended up afraid to take on new channels,it felt too risky.Thats where Brig
28、htpearl came into play.Brightpearl can get you on those channels quickly and your inventory syncs automatically.”Nick Ernst,Co-founder,Snap SupplyThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.5Book a DemoFollow us on Linkedi
29、nFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022The recipe for festive success as a retailer this year sounds perfectly simple.Step one:make sure products are in stock.Step two:sell the stock.However,in reality,its much mo
30、re challenging.During peak season 2021,a third(33%)of UK brands cited supply chain struggles as the number one threat and 23%were plagued by stockouts and product shortages.In the last 12 months,nearly half(46%)have experienced at least one disruptive stockout event.One in four(26%)UK brands claim t
31、o be just four weeks away from supply chain issues causing crisis point issues with cash flow.Stop Stockouts and Overselling (Or Your Festive Season Will Fall Flat)CHAPTER 2Its a similar story in the US,where half(52%)of US brands have experienced stockouts resulting in a loss of sales over the last
32、 year and stockouts and product shortages were the leading challenge last holiday season,impacting up to 67%of merchants.This year,ensuring stock levels are maintained will again present retailers with a significant challenge,especially with the ongoing pandemic-induced supply chain crisis further e
33、xacerbated by world events.Yet,merchants must rise to the upcoming challenges,including avoiding stockouts and overselling;busy season can make-or-break a brands overall success,accounting for a disproportionate portion of annual revenue.In fact,Research from GfK reveals that,during peak season,20 p
34、ercent of annual sales can be achieved in just eight weeks.Thats enough to persuade any merchant of the importance of peak season but as well as the chance to boost revenue,the holiday shopping season is also a prime opportunity to attract,impress and retain new customers that can stay with you for
35、years to come.On the flip side,if you disappoint a shopper with an out of stock notification during peak season,theres a high chance theyll go away and never come back to your brand again.The consumer impactThe impact of overselling,delays and lack of stock on consumers cant be underestimated-and me
36、rchants must know that peak season is not the time to take chances when it comes to managing stock.In the last 12 months,a third(35%)of Americans have been annoyed to discover a product is sold out or unavailable when“In the last 12 months,nearly half(46%)have experienced at least one disruptive sto
37、ckout event.One in four(26%)UK brands claim to be just four weeks away from supply chain issues causing crisis point issues with cash flow.”20 percent of annual sales can be achieved in just eight weeksBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.6Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTP
38、EARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022they came to order online.And nearly a quarter(22%)of Brits received the dreaded post-purchase order canceled message after a retailer oversold items.Whats more,the average American was let down four tim
39、es when shopping online last peak season.And forget fancy marketing or discounts,the number one reason 37%of Brits were tempted to buy with a new brand was simply that it had the item in stock.With so much potential to win big,and so much at risk if merchants get it wrong,theres little room for maki
40、ng mistakes.What should retailers do now?While managing stock this peak season presents unprecedented problems for retailers,there is a solution:demand planning.Demand planning is a type of predictive analysis that forecasts the demands of a customer base,often months ahead of time.With up to 80%of
41、retailers impacted in the last 12 months by supply chain issues,demand planning software has come into its own,providing retail and wholesale brands with a smart way to avoid stockouts and put an end to overselling.Demand planning software,which includes Brightpearls Inventory Planner Premium,helps
42、brands to:Manage stock shortages With Inventory Planner Premium,brands can carefully plan the release of stock to keep customers happy and cash flow steady.It tells retailers exactly when to order to mitigate long lead times and even suggests when to release stock to make it last.Easily order stock
43、Inventory Planner Premium offers an at-a-glance view of all the items that need to be reordered.In just a couple of clicks you can create purchase orders in bulk.For many retailers,this prevents the hire of additional staff and saves hours every week.Get advance warning about stockouts Having demand
44、 planning data to hand is one thing being able to interpret it is another.Inventory Planner Premium provides intuitive analysis and automatic alerts so that you can know exactly when,where and what to order.However,despite the benefits,six in 10 brands(59%)dont currently use demand planning software
45、.This failure to invest means brands are missing the opportunity to easily avoid stockouts and shortages this peak season.The reality is supply chain issues are predicted to continue into 2023 and even 2024,so companies must take action now.We know that a third(32%)of consumers chose to shop with a
46、new online store in the last year simply because they had an item in stock and a quarter(27%)of consumers said being able to count on products being in stock keeps them loyal to a brand.Failing to invest in solutions that make it simple to manage stock risks frustrating customers at best and losing
47、them forever,at worst.Top Brands Use Inventory Planner Premium For Peak Season LeadingretailersacrosstheworldrelyonBrightpearlsInventoryPlannerPremiumtosuccessfullymanagestockduringpeakseasonandallyearround.6“Brightpearls Inventory Planner Premium has been phenomenal for us.It factors in seasonality
48、 so that we can look at the data and instantly say ok,we need to order 100,000 of that item,not 10,000 otherwise were going to run out in two months.”“Thanks to Brightpearls demand planning tool,we knew when to push stock and when to hold back,so we were able to make our stock last.We couldnt have m
49、anaged the pandemic and achieved such growth without it.”James Ewens,Head of E-Commerce,FurnitureBox“The risk of stockouts before was previously huge,but now its non-existent.We can accurately forecast demand,even factoring in promotions and peak periods.Its hard to quantify the impact it has had on
50、 our business,but its been incredible.Thanks to Brightpearls Inventory Planner Premium alone,Id say weve saved two full time members of staff,or 320 hours a month at the very least.”Trevor Martin,Vice President Operations,SnowJorge Henriques,COO at Bond TouchBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.7Boo
51、k a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 20227From packing orders to customer service,a strong workforce has historically been fundamental to a retailers success when orders surge in peak sea
52、son.The trouble is,securing a strong workforce is a major challenge for many retailers right now regardless of which sector they operate in.In many areas especially rural ones there is a worrying shortage of workers.In the latest monthly labor market figures,it was announced that,for the first time
53、since records began,there are more job vacancies in the UK than unemployed people.Unsurprisingly,a shortage of labor was one of the big challenges for nearly 1 in 5(19%)online retailers last festive season.Its expected to be a major challenge this year,too.Whats causing the shortages?The combination
54、 of Brexit and the pandemic is cited by experts as a major source of churn in the British labor market.While demand for labor has recovered to almost exactly its pre-pandemic level,the labor force is still shrinking,especially in remote or rural areas.A lack of skills,early retirement and long-term
55、sickness are all considered factors that are contributing to the overflow of vacancies.In the USA,experts suggest the pandemic caused a major disruption in Americas labor force.In what many are referring to as The Great Resignation,more than 47 million workers quit their jobs in search of a better w
56、ork-life balance,increased flexibility and a better salary.Manual jobs that require in-person attendance and traditionally have lower wages continue to be a major struggle to fill.What should retailers do now?Retailers are,understandably,scrambling for a solution.Brightpearls research reveals that a
57、lmost four in 10(38%)online brands in the UK,and three in 10(31%)in the US,sought to increase labor as a way to manage online demand during the last holiday season.On paper,that seems like a sensible step.However,if the extra workers simply dont exist,its a tactic thats doomed to failure.Businesses
58、cant rely on a shrinking labor pool to Avoid a Holiday Season Flop Get Ahead of Labor Shortages NowCHAPTER 3The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.8Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPO
59、RTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Key Stats:Labor Shortages In the UK Laborshortagesimpacted1 in 5UKfirmslastholidayseason 4 in 10 onlinebrands(38%)soughttoincreaselabortomanageonlinedemandlastholidayseason 45%dontautomatee-commerceordersdespite5
60、4%strugglingwithextrademandIn the USALaborshortageswasoneoftheTop 10bigchallengeslastholidayseason 31%of companiessoughttoincreaselabortocopewithdemand Just 13%offirmssoughttoautomateorderworkflowsmanage increased demand this holiday season and believing they can is a disaster waiting to happen.Inst
61、ead,retailers must turn to technology.Automation technology is every merchants ticket to reducing reliance on humans in large parts of the warehouse,while still ensuring that orders are picked and packed efficiently,safely and productively.Automating retail workflows allows merchants to take a large
62、ly hands-off approach to everything from order processing to inventory and shipping.It also allows retailers to add speed to their fulfillment,so items can get out of the door quickly,even during the holiday rush.Lets automateThe benefits are clear:brands that use Brightpearls Automation Engine save
63、twomonthseveryyear,onaveragecutlaborcostsinhalfreducehumanerrorsby60%However,retailers are largely failing to realize how automation can be used to fill the gap which labor shortages are leaving behind.Despite 54%of retailers struggling with demand,almost half(45%)dont use automation to process orde
64、rs.And last peak season,most businesses focussed their budget and time on increasing their workforce and extending delivery timescales but just 12%in the UK and 13%in the US thought to automate their order fulfillment workflows.This peak season,retailers must maintain flexibility and decrease their
65、reliance on unreliable(or non-existent)labor pools to meet operational requirements and avoid letting customers down.Automation is their secret weapon for making it happen.Brands must embrace it sooner rather than later or risk their most stressful and chaotic peak season yet.Brightpearl 2022.All ri
66、ghts reserved.9Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 20229Its supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year not just for small children and big kids,but for online retail brands,to
67、o.However while the so-called busy season brings festive joy to some,it brings major holiday blues to others.For the majority of UK brands(54%)in 2021,the magical Christmas period turned sour as they struggled to meet the challenging demands of increased orders.Some sectors were hit especially hard
68、55%of fashion brands admitted they simply couldnt cope with online demand.Similarly,in the US,56%struggled with surging demand,with a quarter of firms(24%)admitting orders were delayed as a result which is hardly good for reputation at such a highly-charged,stressful time of year.The impact of all t
69、his on consumers was significant,with a third of shoppers on both sides of the Atlantic saying they were let down by an online order.Whats going wrong?Retailers should be rejoicing at the prospect of a sudden spike in sales,not trying to run away from it yet,up until now,thats exactly what many have
70、 been doing.Understandably,many retailers have been struggling with the logistics of heightened demand and reduced operational capacity.In their desperation to catch up,some have turned to short-sighted and uncompetitive tactics such as extending delivery timescales,increasing delivery costs or swit
71、ching off promotions.However,none of these measures will help retailers maximize profit during peak season.Even if you arent actively avoiding increased orders,just feeling a sense of dread every time an order pings through in peak season is a surefire sign that something is majorly wrong with your
72、post-purchase operations.What can retailers do now?Retailers must get to grips with increased festive season orders,and do so without employing tactics that ultimately punish the customer and your bottom line.As with most peak season challenges,technology is the answer-especially automation.Snowed U
73、nder:Get to Grips With Festive Season Order SpikesCHAPTER 4The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.10Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportun
74、ities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022“Brightpearl has totally transformed our business.We now feel in control of our behind-the-scenes processes and everything runs like clockwork,including our stock and order management.”Olly White,Brand Director,Goose&GanderBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.
75、Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSE-commerce automation can free companies to handle extra orders with ease,winning happy customers in the process and turning peak season into a festive dream come true.For around four in 10 brands who already use automation,that
76、s exactly the case.However,most firms(more than half in both the UK and US)do not automate e-commerce order workflows.These are the businesses that are more likely to rely on counter-intuitive tactics like increasing delivery times,and more likely to fall behind in the race to cash in on peak season
77、 demand.Worryingly,our research showed only 10%of brands plan to start automating orders in 2022.To avoid being snowed under and winding up in a festive meltdown,thats got to change.Its not too late for brands to turn things around,as long as they are willing to embrace the power of automation.Case
78、in point:Goose&GanderThats what unisex clothing brand Goose&Gander did.The Essex-based business implemented Brightpearl in just two months to transform how their business operates during peak season.Thanks to Brightpearls market-leading Automation Engine,the brand was able to boost its order process
79、ing power by a whopping 500%,while simultaneously freeing up its founders to focus on growth instead of fighting operational fires.Olly White,the brands Director,says:“Brightpearl has totally transformed our business.We now feel in control of our behind-the-scenes processes and everything runs like
80、clockwork,including our stock and order management.“Our main priority when we signed up for Brightpearl was being able to successfully manage our stock and to get orders out the door as quickly as possible,especially during peak season.Brightpearl have helped us do that,and lots more.Our customers a
81、re so much happier now and when our customers are happy,were happy.”Ultimately,using a flexible Retail Operating System(ROS)to automate post-purchase workflows is the key to helping brands from all sectors to stop shying away from the opportunities of peak season and start leaning into them.Top 5 sh
82、ort-sighted tactics brands use to limit peak season demandIn the UK 1.Extendeddeliverytimescales(usedby41%ofUKbrands,32%ofUS)2.Increasedlabor(38%UK,31%US)3.Earlierpromotions(25%UK,24%US)4.Increaseddeliverycosts(16%UK,27%US)5.Cuttingpromotions/switchingoffads(14%UK,16%US)Brightpearl 2022.All rights r
83、eserved.11Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022The festive shopping period can be the perfect time to attract new customers but,for some brands,attracting them can be a challenge i
84、n itself.Attracting new customers was listed as one of the main challenges retailers faced last peak season,and many are understandably keen to ensure the same thing doesnt occur this year.There are various tried-and-tested strategies brands can try.For instance,targeted influencer marketing is ofte
85、n successful and involves using well-known social media personalities to promote your products,therefore increasing awareness of your brand and attracting shoppers to your online store.However,while important,these strategies alone arent enough to attract the volume and calibre of new business some
86、brands want and need during peak season.To achieve that,a much more significant shift is needed.More channels,more customersAs Millenials and Gen Zs have joined the workforce,they have gained wallet share and become the most critical consumer groups in retail.These shoppers have a different view of
87、shopping and want new and different ways to shop.Rather than going in search of retailers,they want retailers to come to them.Or,rather,to just-so-happen to be hanging out on the same platforms and channels they use to socialize and be entertained.According to Brightpearls research:8 in 10(77%)of 18
88、-24 year old young shoppers are now buying through new digital channels 46%of all Americans prefer the latest shopping channels because they allow them to interact and socialize with their friends while enjoying a spending spree Facebook(40%),Amazon Alexa(35%),Pinterest(32%),and TikTok(29%)are the m
89、ost popular new platforms along with livestream shopping and online gaming Modern shoppers arent afraid to use their purchasing power to force retailers to change their ways 24%would actively choose whether or not to use a brand based on whether they buy via their preferred latest channelIts clear t
90、hat retailers have their work cut out to attract the business of modern shoppers they must shift from using social media and other online channels purely as discovery tools to using them as buying platforms,removing all friction and obstacles from the buying journey.Dont Get Left Out in the Cold:Be
91、Where Shoppers Have Fun This Holiday SeasonCHAPTER 5Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on Facebook11The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.12Book a DemoFollow us on Linkedin
92、Follow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022“Thats likely why 75%of businesses in the UK and 58%in the US chose not to adopt any new sales channels ahead of last years holiday season.BRIGHTPEARL REPORTSWhy arent brands
93、keeping up?However,theres a good reason why some brands arent making the changes needed to attract new,modern customers for peak season:they dont have the right tech to handle the inevitable complexity that multichannel selling brings.Many are married(by contract,naivety or habit)to traditional ERPs
94、 and standalone OMS and other systems which simply cant offer the flexibility brands need to adapt to this trend.The architecture of these systems is too rigid,and they are notoriously slow,clunky and(in the case of ERPs)eye-wateringly expensive.Thats likely why 75%of businesses in the UK and 58%in
95、the US chose not to adopt any new sales channels ahead of last years holiday season.However,the reality is that its only by casting off the shackles of antiquated systems and turning to a hyper scalable Retail Operating System can firms gain the competitive edge this peak season.Ultimately,popular c
96、hannels will come and go-and not all non-traditional buying platforms will be successful long term.Shopper trends change like the tide,and the channels that are popular today will be different in 12 months time.Thats why,in order to attract new customers and keep pace with consumer expectations duri
97、ng this busy season and in the ones that follow,retailers need to invest in systems and processes that support flexibility and agility.They need an operating system that allows them to rapidly curate an ever-changing roster of channels,apps and tools so they can provide shoppers with the experience
98、they crave,when they crave it.Theres no doubt the tech exists.With a huge library of native Plug&Play integrations and deep,open API,Brightpearl is the hyper-scalable operating system that gives brands the confidence to experiment with the latest platforms and sales channels,without any expense or h
99、assle.Its simply a case of making the switch.The average shopper plans to spend an average of$286 on Christmas gift shopping and$91 on Black Friday and Cyber Monday,so theres an appetite to shop and money on the table its just a question of being in the right(digital)place,at the right time,to pick
100、it up.Brightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.13Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 202213“The festive season 2022 is shaping up to perhaps be one of the gloomiest on record.With inflati
101、on in double digits for the first time in forty years,soaring energy prices,global supply chain issues and consumer confidence at an all time low,it is looking increasingly desperate for retailers.Against this backdrop,the need to drive digital transformation has never been more critical.Streamlinin
102、g a business,connecting people,processes and technology to drive operational efficiencies are all now absolutely necessary as opposed to being optional.Those macro-economic factors are transforming retail and the consumer landscape faster than ever before and this will surely test many retail busine
103、sses in ways they could not have predicted even six months ago.The winners will be those which have a grasp on what the new consumer landscape is going to look like and take the steps now to position their business to weather the storm.“Its a time of extreme volatility for retailers.Choruses of publ
104、icly traded retailers speak repeatedly about inventory and foot traffic challenges.Shopify,the bellwether for e-commerce activity,has reported major slowdowns.What does this mean for Peak Season?Expectations are that the customer will do their holiday shopping even earlier!This may lead to a dumbbel
105、l effect:sales volume early,a lull in what is more traditionally seen as“typical”shopping season,and then a rush at the end;leading to a nail-biting season for retailers.What to do?In my view,adopting inventory planning tools are critical.Build out the systems now to benefit during Peak Season and i
106、nto 2023.On a related note,due to the predictive flow of sales,be aggressive with managing inventory and use forecasting intelligence to predict the best products to focus on before we hit BFCM its a great strategy to optimise sales.The insights will be actionable during Peak Season and also benefic
107、ial into 2023.Andrew is a top 20 global retail influencer,Forbes contributor,IBM Futurist and one of the worlds most prominent retail thought leaders.Andrew is also the Founder&CEO of Retail Reflections.Retail Expert PerspectivesCHAPTER 6Andrew Busby Global Retail Industry Leader Retail ReflectionsB
108、rightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSChristine Russo,founder of the Retail Creative and Consulting Agency known as RCCA,is a Leading Analyst,Moderator,and Advisory Board member specializing in retail and global retail tech includ
109、ing metaverse,brands,fashion,startups,global retail for Brands,Retailers,Academics,Consultants,Media,Journalism,Tech Founders,Urbanists,Developers,Real Estate.As the creator of the What Just Happened Video podcast;she hosts deep-dive discussions,executive Interviews and roundtables with Executives a
110、nd CEOs.Under the banner“Learn With Me”,What Just Happened enables technology companies to tell their stories;Russo provides clarity and context for the C-suite and more.Christine Russo Founder Retail Creative&RCCA“As Brightpearl demonstrates in this report,knowledge truly is power.And for retailers
111、 proactively looking ahead to the 2022 holiday season,this report will help fuel their knowledge to embrace what is anticipated to be a challenging holiday season.Despite obstacles in supply chain,employee staffing,inventory availability and more,merchants can still connect with consumers and their
112、dollars thanks to omnichannel experiences,creative marketing,strategic planning and savvy forecasting.Streamlining,simplifying and automating will be the holidays best kept secrets from those retailers willingly embracing the realities of retail right now.Retail Mindeds Founder Nicole Leinbach Reyhl
113、e is recognized as a global retail thought leader from companies that include IBM,American Express,Vend and more including having been recognized as#3 out of 100 worldwide retail influencers in a recent poll.Nicole Leinbach Reyhle Founder Retail MindedBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.14Book a De
114、moFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTSThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 202214“In addition to rising operating costs,inflation and myriad other economic challenges,global and localised supply chain issues from misplaced containe
115、rs to bottlenecks at ports continue to make life tricky for retailers.Ahead of the holiday season,its essential that retailers take steps to prevent these issues from affecting inventory levels or damaging the customer experience.For example,they should use historical sales data to help understand n
116、ot only what products sell the most,but also when the highest volume of orders will arrive,helping them to plan stock levels accordingly.Taking an omnichannel approach to sales also helps retailers simplify their operations by syncing data from across sales channels and providing a real-time overvie
117、w of stock levels and customer orders.This means they can balance inventory against incoming orders,regardless of the sales channel used by the customer.Finally,they should also consider their customers complete buying journey.The holiday season is awash with businesses looking to sell their stock q
118、uickly,so retailers need to think of their online sales channels as they do search engines,taking the time to optimise their listings and ensure that the most relevant search terms consistently surface their products.Mark Elward Chief Commercial Officer Huboo“Businesses and consumers alike are facin
119、g lots of challenges this holiday season,which is why now,more than ever,e-commerce businesses need to differentiate from the competition.Creating stand-out experiences tailored for multiple sales channels is key in attracting new customers and bolstering online revenues,which is why having a robust
120、 eCommerce tech stack is non-negotiable.Increasingly large volumes of complex product data are needed to create truly unique online experiences that meet the growing expectations of the modern consumer.Streamlining the way that product data is managed,all while having full visibility of quality and
121、accuracy,will drive huge efficiencies.Thats where Product Information Management(PIM)comes into the mix.With the rise of multichannel selling,a PIM is fast becoming an essential tool for all e-commerce businesses.It facilitates the process of publishing multiple data variations across an unlimited n
122、umber of sales channels,which is front and centre of any winning multichannel strategy.Martin founded Pimberly in 2015,where hes since led operations as CEO.Martin has extensive experience in growing a range of technology companies,including Jigsaw24,Koris,Numero,and Xpert Group.He has hands-on expe
123、rience with clients navigating the eCommerce landscape,and works with leading brands to drive digital success.Mark is an experienced logistics professional with a wealth of knowledge in the eCommerce arena.He has a proven track record of assisting companies to build their businesses in the UK and gl
124、obally.Mark has also gained a strong reputation for helping brands cultivate their market presence,by supporting the strategic development of their business plans.Mark started his career in logistics working for major industry names like DPD and FedEx.He also spent numerous years working closely wit
125、h US brands that were looking to expand into the EU market.Mark has a passionate and thought-provoking attitude towards promoting growth in the eCommerce Fulfilment industry.Martin Balaam CEO and Founder Pimberly15The Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022B
126、rightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTS1515Brightpearl:Built for Best-Ever Peak Season PerformanceMethodologyBrightpearl is a leading operating system thats purpose-built for retail.Its packed with functionality that streamlines,si
127、mplifies and automates operations so modern brands can Grow Fearlessly.Some of the worlds biggest brands are already using Brightpearl to smash peak season now its your turn.In order to find out more about the challenges retailers will face this peak season,we polled 500 retailers and 4000 shoppers
128、in June 2022.The interviews were conducted online by OnePoll using an online survey.Get a free demoThe Festive Fix:Must-Know Challenges,Opportunities and Trends For Holiday Season 2022As retailers head into preparations for this years peak season,they can do so with their eyes wide open about the ch
129、allenges they will face.On top of the labor shortages,supply chain crisis and surging demand discussed in this report,there will be additional challenges brought on by inflation,the possibility of a recession,a cost of living crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine.The list is seemingly endless.Howeve
130、r,retailers should still be optimistic.As weve explored,many of the challenges this holiday season will bring can be avoided or resolved by using innovative technologies from embracing automation to cope with labor shortages,to using demand planning software to avoid stockouts and overselling.Overha
131、uling your tech stack doesnt have to be overwhelming.Its a much simpler and easier process today than it was a decade(or less)ago.For instance,Brightpearl goes live for the average customer in less than 120 days,with minimal disruption to business because the whole process is managed by dedicated re
132、tail experts.This means many businesses can build a carefully curated tech stack that includes a range of interlinked best in class technologies and harnesses the compounding value of insights and productivity gains that have been made as their brand has grown.To win big this peak season,merchants s
133、hould use their tech stack to proactively address the challenges that crop up,rather than being forced into taking defensive action,such as extending delivery timescales or ending promotions early to avoid being overwhelmed with orders.A tech stack centralized within a single Retail Operating System
134、 will give you the freedom to be more innovative,including trying the latest sales channels,introducing new products and experimenting with new marketing tactics,such as using influencers.With a truly flexible Retail Operating System on your side,your business will be free to adapt as needed and to seize the opportunity to grow fearlessly during peak season and beyond.Act Now to Avoid a Nightmare Before ChristmasCONCLUSIONBrightpearl 2022.All rights reserved.Book a DemoFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on FacebookBRIGHTPEARL REPORTS