Supply Chain Terms
What does that supply chain term mean?
- Supply Chain Terms
43 Articles
An Introduction to Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management is a systematic and controlled procurement operation. SCM performance directly impacts an organization’s general performance.
What Are CPGs? Defining Consumer Packaged Goods
Consumer packaged goods describe merchandise that has to be reloaded frequently, as opposed to items that can be replenished after longer durations.
What is the 4-5-4 Calendar, and How Does it Work?
Due to holiday sales and returns, retailer calendars often begin in February and follow a 4-5-4 format and have a 53-week year.
What is a Bill of Materials?
Learn why a Bill of Materials (BOM) is crucial, how to prepare one, and the key components needed for efficient product manufacturing.
What is Category Management?
Learn how category management optimizes efficiency by grouping products, strengthening supplier relationships, and aligning with consumer needs.
What Is Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment (GMROI)?
GMROI is a vital calculation that assesses the efficiency and profitability of your largest asset, inventory.
Retail Data Explained: Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive
Well-balanced business development depends on descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics data. Here are the differences.
What Is a Bill Of Lading (BOL)?
A Bill of Lading (or BOL) is a signed, legal, and binding contract used in freight shipping detailing the items in a shipment.
When to Do SSOs (Store-Specific Orders)
Learn what store-specific orders are and why a supplier or retailer might choose to use one, as well as how to submit SSOs to Walmart.
ABC Analysis & How Walmart Applies It to Its Inventory
Which products, customers, or purchased parts are the largest contributors to your company’s success? Use ABC analysis to find out.
Understanding Freight Consolidation
What is freight consolidation? What does it mean to consolidate freight? What are the pros and cons? What are the types?
What Is Cross-Docking?
Learn how cross-docking operates, exploring its various methods, benefits, and potential drawbacks to optimize your supply chain efficiency.
What Is Retail-Ready Packaging?
Learn about retail-ready packaging, including the costs, benefits, and supplier best practices.
What Are the Different Types of Pack Sizes?
Learn the differences between inner packs, master packs, and warehouse packs and discover how each pack size impacts suppliers and retailers.
What is Cross Merchandising?
What is cross-merchandising, aka secondary product placement? Retailers use this marketing technique to sell complementary items.
What Is a Global Location Number (GLN)?
What is a Global Location Number (GLN)? This reference code identifies all sorts of business locations in the supply chain world.
What is a Planogram, and How is it Used?
Learn what a planogram is and how it helps retailers maximize shelf space, manage inventory, and boost sales through strategic product placement.
What Is a DUNS Number?
What is a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number? How are DUNS numbers used in retail? How do I get a DUNS number?
What is the Pareto Principle?
What is the Pareto Principle? How is it used in retail? How can SKU rationalization mitigate the effects of the Pareto Principle?
What is a SCAC Code, and How is it Used?
Discover what a SCAC code is, its role in freight and logistics, and how to obtain one to streamline your shipping operations.
What is TI/HI?
In the warehousing world, you may have heard the term TI/HI or Tie-High. This common logistics term refers to pallet stacking.
What Is Stock Control?
What is stock control (AKA inventory control)? Learn about the various methods of stock control, pros and cons, and implementing it.
What Is Vendor Managed Inventory?
What is Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)? Learn about VMI, how it benefits both retailers and suppliers, and implementing it.
What Is Aggregate Inventory Management?
What is aggregate inventory management? In this article, learn about aggregate inventory management, the benefits, and how to implement it.
What is Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)?
What is Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)? How is the EOQ calculated? How does it impact inventory and retail orders?
What is Demand Planning?
Demand planning tells you how much inventory you can expect to sell. It helps identify potential expansions, as well as potential threats.
What is Supply Planning?
What is supply planning? How can it help you maintain a well-oiled supply chain? How do you calculate a good supply plan?
What Is LTL Shipping?
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is a system of transporting a smaller shipment than a typical truck filled with one order.
Should I Use Prepaid or Collect Freight?
Are you a new supplier looking at your shipping options, or are you a veteren considering changing? Should you use Prepaid or Collect?
What Is EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)?
EDI is the direct computer-to-computer exchange of standard formatted business transactions between one or more business partners.
How Do Tariffs Affect Your Supply Chain?
Learn about the definition of tariffs, how the US government's new tariffs might affect your supply chain, and how to mitigate those impacts.
The Bullwhip Effect and How to Prevent It
What is the bullwhip effect in supply chain? How do you prevent it? It is a fault that gives rise to artificial supply and demand ups and downs.
Walmart’s Shipping and Routing Transportation Guide Glossary
In Walmart's shipping and routing transportation Guide, they have a glossary of some of the most basic and more retailer-specific logistics terms.
What are Trade Discounts and How Do They Work?
Learn how trade discounts work, their benefits, types, and how suppliers and retailers use them to boost sales and strengthen partnerships.
What Is PDQ (Pretty Darn Quick)?
Learn about PDQ displays, their function, design rules, and how to optimize them for Walmart’s retail-ready packaging requirements.
Finelines & How they Affect Sales
Learn how finelines organize products, improve sales forecasting, and enhance retail strategies for suppliers and retailers.
Nordstrom's Accounts Payable Codes
Understand Nordstrom's AP codes and dispute timelines to better manage deductions and compliance as a supplier.
What is a Purchase Order?
Learn how purchase orders work, their types, lifecycle, and how suppliers can manage POs to avoid payment delays and retailer deductions.
Replenishment Terms and Definitions Glossary
Learn key replenishment terms and definitions to better understand inventory, procurement, and logistics strategies in the retail supply chain.
The Future is 2D Barcodes: The Roadmap to Meeting Retailer Demands
Is your barcode strategy ready for Sunrise 2027? Explore how 2D barcodes boost traceability, cut costs, and meet retailer demands.
Understanding Port Charges in Today’s Global Supply Chain
Learn the types of port charges, how tariffs impact margins, and smart strategies to reduce costs in today’s global supply chain.
How Suppliers can Choose the Right Warehouse Partner
Turn warehousing into a growth tool. Learn types, factors, and platforms suppliers need for smart, scalable storage solutions.
Pick and Pack 101: Methods, KPIs, Costs, and Tech
Master pick and pack strategies, KPIs, costs, and tech like cartonization, DIM weight, and 2D barcodes to streamline fulfillment.
