Old Is the New Chic at Nordstrom

Old Is the New Chic at Nordstrom

February 12, 2020
CMKaruppan

Used clothes are setting a new trend in fashion retail.

Nordstrom has just started selling used clothes, shoes, and accessories. In doing so, it is joining other retailers in offering a climate-friendly alternative to fast fashion. The resale market is growing fast, attracting shoppers from multiple age groups and indicating a shift in attitude toward disposable fashion.

Video Spotlight: Nordstrom Sells Secondhand Clothes

This post is based on The Washington Post article, Old Clothes, New Customers: Nordstrom Becomes Latest Big Retailer to Sell Secondhand Items, by A. Bhattarai, January 31, 2020, and the YouTube video, Nordstrom Hoping Used Clothing Business Will Attract New Customers, by WCCO – CBS Minnesota, January 30, 2020. Image source: Adisa/Shutterstock.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the societal factors responsible for the trend of selling used clothes along with new ones?

Guidance: The factors responsible for this trend include increased environmental consciousness; a need for higher-quality, longer-lasting clothes; a preference for designer clothes at lower prices; and a growing contempt for excessive consumption.

2. Is the practice of placing used clothing items alongside new ones a wise layout option for Nordstrom?

Guidance: Although personal opinions on this matter vary, it seems Continue reading →

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Keeping an Eye on Supply Chain Trends in 2020

Keeping an Eye on Supply Chain Trends in 2020

February 6, 2020
Steven Dickstein

The growth of online shopping has exerted new pressures on supply chain managers.  The outlook in 2020 is the increased application of technology to achieve faster and smarter performance in the supply chain.  This must be accomplished without raising costs or reducing variety and, at the same time, address the growing pressure for greener methods.

Video Spotlight: The Future of Supply Chain

This post is based on the Supply Chain Brief article, Top Five Supply Chain Trends to Watch in 2020, by Joe Harris, January 7, 2020; the Fortune article and video, Delivery Is Getting More Complex, but Will Soon Be Faster and Cheaper, by Hamid Moghadam, September 1, 2017; and the YouTube video, The Future of Supply Chain, by KPMG US, August 22, 2019. Image source: Design Pics / Kelly Redinger.

Discussion Questions:

1. What role will technology play in the years ahead, in improving supply chain performance?

Guidance: Technology will play multiple roles, including automating warehouse functions, artificial intelligence for warehouse planning and design, developing pre-fill order solutions to accelerate delivery, and designing packaging for material reduction, reuse and/or recyclability.

2. What consumer expectations are driving these changes in supply chain Continue reading →

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Will the Chicken Sandwich War Continue into 2020?

Will the Chicken Sandwich War Continue into 2020?

February 2, 2020
Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.

For the fast food industry, 2019 will go down as the year of the Chicken Sandwich War.

It started on August 12, 2019 when Popeyes introduced a new chicken sandwich.  What first appeared to be another in a long line of additions to fast food menus quickly escalated.  Fueled by several tweets back and forth between Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, plus critics and others raving about the new sandwich, Popeyes experienced long lines and large increases in sales.

Unfortunately, Popeyes quickly ran out of chicken sandwiches nationally.  The demand was too great for its supply chain to handle.  Restaurants stopped serving the chicken sandwiches and waited for their supply chain to catch up.

On National Sandwich Day (Sunday, November 3, 2019) Popeyes re-introduced its chicken sandwich.  This, coupled with Chick-fil-A social media promoting National Sandwich Day that happened to fall on a Sunday when its restaurants are closed, created quite a stir.  Customers flocked to Popeyes to try out the chicken sandwich.  Many had missed the opportunity during the original introduction.

It appears that the Chicken Sandwich Wars will continue into 2020.  Chicken sandwiches are still growing in popularity, and competitors Continue reading →

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