Demand Planning – OM in the News

Wendy’s Adds Loaded Nacho Cheeseburger

Wendy’s has added a Loaded Nacho Cheeseburger and Queso Fries to the menu.

The chef-inspired cheeseburger begins with a quarter-pound patty with poblano queso, crispy corn, tortilla chips, chipotle sauce, American cheese, lettuce, tomato on a jalapeno cheddar bun. The burger is designed as a “nacho platter” on a bun. It took Wendy’s over two years to develop the burger.

The Queso Fries required over 20 iterations to develop. This is the first time that Wendy’s has made a complimentary side to go […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2023-09-27T07:36:29+00:00September 27, 2023|Tags: forecasting, inventory management, product design, product development, supply chain management|

Mixed Forecast for Back-to-School Shopping

Will back-to-school sales be a boom or a bust for retailers this fall?

Forecasters are mixed, as some predict the highest spending ever and some anticipate a modest pull-back. Additionally, if sales increase, is it due to greater demand or simply that prices have increased substantially since last year?

With forecasters uncertain, how are retailers impacted?

Video Spotlight:

Experts warn of expensive back-to-school shopping season (Aug 1, 2023, Good Morning America)
New survey highlights how people […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2023-08-30T08:04:50+00:00August 30, 2023|Tags: forecasting, inventory management, scheduling, supply chain|

Unstable Consumer Confidence Causing Ripple Effects

An uncertain economy is causing ripple effects across manufacturing as consumer demand continues to be difficult to predict.

Many manufacturers are focusing on 5S-type activities (cleaning, preventive management, painting factory floors, etc.) in lieu of robust customer orders. The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers’ Index came in at 46.9% in May 2023, the second consecutive month below 50%.

When the index is below 50%, it indicates an industry in economic contraction. Per Investopedia, the Purchasing Managers’ […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-07-07T02:25:15+00:00July 6, 2023|Tags: distribution, downstream suppliers, efficiency, logistics, operations, supply chain, upstream suppliers, utilization|

Retailers Expect a ‘Soft’ Peak Season

After the pandemic, how long will it take to get back to ‘normal’?

According to shipping experts, not until 2024. Even though the back-to-school season of 2023 offers signs of encouragement for retailers, the holiday season may still disappoint. Supply chains are stabilizing, but inventory depletions and restocking needs are uneven across industries. This year’s demand should be higher than last year’s but remain below trend. The uncertain demand for end items postpones the return to normalcy in the supply chain.

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2023-06-17T15:12:44+00:00June 18, 2023|Tags: bill of materials, forecasting, lead time, logistics, master schedule, MRP, respsonsive supply chain design, short term capacity|