Applying quality data to the retail supply chain

Data quality is important in every corner of the business world, but in retail, it's a particularly salient issue because consumers today demand speed. They want their merchandise and they want it now—and by using large volumes of data to analyze supply chains, vendors can improve their decision-making and advance toward their ultimate goal of giving customers the products they need quickly. According to our research, 91 percent of retailers say they want the best customer experience in their market, and they believe leveraging quality data is the way to get there.

One of the best ways to leverage data analysis for real-time ROI is by starting with improving the supply chain. Here’s why: Analyzing and improving the quality of supply chain data helps ensure stores get the goods they need when they need them so they can then quickly deliver to end users, making for a positive customer experience. In a competitive business climate, this separates successful companies from failed ones. The store that wins the supply chain race will eventually win the customers as well.

With that in mind, let's look at a few areas where data analysis can improve supply chain procedures.

Product sourcing
Sourcing is of utmost importance to retailers. If a product is ever out of stock for any reason, companies are in trouble. Not only are they unable to make certain sales that could help improve their bottom lines, but it's also bad PR to admit that supplies have run low. Using data analysis to improve automated sourcing processes can help businesses improve their profit potential and their image.

Delivery management
When a customer logs onto an e-commerce portal and makes a purchase, he or she expects to receive goods quickly. Retail companies need to examine the way they deliver products to their customers and make sure there are no inefficiencies. By using data analysis to evaluate different methods of shipping and handling, merchants can find the best ways to deliver their products.

Personalizing the supply chain
People don't want to be treated like they're "just another customer" when they order from stores, whether in person or online. They want a personalized experience that includes respect and good customer service. Companies in the retail sector should therefore use data analysis to evaluate the way they interact with customers, recommend products, and lend a helping hand when things go wrong. Each customer has different tastes, and while data can't isolate every single individual, it can certainly find some general rules of thumb that work.

Customers have lofty demands for their retailers today. Thanks to data analysis, companies now have the power to meet and exceed those expectations.