The growth of e-commerce and m-commerce means retailers must make the shift from one- to multichannel operation. In retail, this transition means companies must meet the ever-changing needs of demanding millennial consumers amid a lack of transparency of inventory due to constantly shifting consumer behavior. Millennials get what they want, when they want it \u2013 delivered how and where they need it.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1858, Macy\u2019s is a department store chain that operates 728 locations in the greater U.S. Since January 2015, the company has shuttered nearly 20% of the chain\u2019s locations due to a decline in same store sales.[i]<\/a> Sales and net income have been declining over the last 5 years. (Consumption trends are a cause for concern for retail as well, as Americans spend more on experiences and less on impulse purchases, either online or instore.)<\/p>\n With the proliferation of global fast-fashion concepts like Zara and H&M and e- and m-commerce competition from the likes of Amazon, department stores like Macy\u2019s, Kohl\u2019s, and J.C. Penney are struggling to remain competitive in a cluttered retail landscape. In response, many chains are either closing a number of their stores, reducing footage in these locations, or doing both in an attempt to compete with these new nimble entrants to the space. But a contraction in brick-and-mortar square footage isn\u2019t the only option.<\/p>\n Inventory management accuracy is perhaps an easily disregarded solution. Logistics and operation executives are hoping that tracking merchandise inventory digitally along the supply chain, from warehouses right to ladies shoes, will allow for greater awareness and visibility of supply. This greater dependence on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, first implemented when the company began shifting to a digitized supply chain in 2011, can drive sales and boost performance. In the short term, in Q4 2016, Macy\u2019s announced plans to have 100% of in-store inventory tagged by the end of 2017. 100% RFID gives Macy\u2019s a 6.1% greater ability to fill orders of RFID-tagged merchandise[ii]<\/a>,[iii]<\/a><\/sup>. It also allows the company to capture incremental sales and avoid missed opportunities with disappointing \u2018out-of-stocks\u2019[iv]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Looking to the future, Macy\u2019s has instituted magic selling[v]<\/a>, a training program for sales associates that encourages them to \u201cthink omnichannel\u201d[vi]<\/a>, pushing inventory in-person that may not be in store, but instead only online. In 2016, Macy\u2019s piloted a pick-to-the-last-unit (P2LU) program. Powered by RFID, P2LU allows Macy\u2019s the flexibility of omnichannel fulfilment of consumer purchases, right down to the very last unit of in-store merchandise. [vii]<\/a> P2LU delivers flexibility that the store hopes will build customer loyalty, resulting in repeat sales and an ROI that should justify Macy\u2019s costs of RFID implementation.<\/p>\n Going forward, Macy\u2019s should lean more heavily on RFID technology, expanding RFID-enabled programs like \u201cBuy Online, Pick Up In Store\u201d[viii]<\/a> to deliver more value as shoppers buy across platforms. Furthermore, the company should look to digitize their supply chain in other ways too, relying on different yet equivalent progress in technology. Smart fitting with interactive mirrors in brick-and-mortar smart fitting rooms is one such possibility. These fitting rooms can utilize RFID technology to analyze customer behaviors, but also request additional sizes and styles from an in-room tablet. Another option, already begun, is transitioning away from massive warehouses, instead storing inventory in facilities at individual stores.[ix]<\/a> This allows the chain to fulfill orders much more quickly as the supply chain shifts to an \u201cagile\u201d model.<\/p>\n In warehouse management, RFID boasts benefits such as fast locating of products and greater accuracy due to the visibility of real-time inventory information. But as Macy\u2019s transitions away from warehouses, saving money on real estate and labor by storing merchandise at its stores, will the benefits of RFID still outweigh the costs of implementation?<\/p>\n (796 words)<\/p>\n [i]<\/a> Thomas, Lauren. “Macy’s Needs to Close 100 More Stores, Former Retail Exec Says.” CNBC. May 11, 2017. Accessed November 4, 2017. https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2017\/05\/11\/macys-needs-to-close-100-more-stores-former-retail-exec-says.html.<\/p>\n [ii]<\/a> Quantifiable Benefits and Analytical Application of RFID Data. <\/em>Platt Retail Institute. Http:\/\/plattretailinstitute.org\/. January 2017. Accessed November 10, 2017. http:\/\/plattretailinstitute.org\/downloads\/quantifiable-benefits-analytical-application-rfid-data\/.<\/p>\n [iii]<\/a> Journal, RFID. “Macy’s to RFID-Tag 100 Percent of Items.” Macy’s to RFID-Tag 100 Percent of Items – RFID Journal. October 12, 2016. Accessed November 4, 2017. http:\/\/www.rfidjournal.com\/articles\/view?15081.<\/p>\n [iv]<\/a> Thau, Barbara. “Is The ‘RFID Retail Revolution’ Finally Here? A Macy’s Case Study.” Forbes. May 15, 2017. Accessed November 10, 2017. https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/barbarathau\/2017\/05\/15\/is-the-rfid-retail-revolution-finally-here-a-macys-case-study\/#f67180732944.<\/p>\n [v]<\/a> Skorupa, Joe. “Macy’s Blueprint for Omnichannel Dominance.” Retail Insight Blog | RIS News: Business\/Technology Insights for Retail, Supermarket Executives. March 5, 2013. Accessed November 6, 2017. https:\/\/risnews.com\/macys-blueprint-omnichannel-dominance.<\/p>\n [vi]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [vii]<\/a> Waldron, John. “Macy’s Inventory Management Strategy P2LU.” Future Stores Miami 2018. September 12, 2017. Accessed November 7, 2017. https:\/\/futurestoreseast.wbresearch.com\/macys-inventory-management-strategy-p2lu-ty-u.<\/a><\/p>\n [viii] “Buy Online, Pick Up in Store | Macy’s.” Macy’s | Department Store, Dept Store , Department Stores, Clothing, Apparel, Accessories. Accessed November 7, 2017. https:\/\/www.macys.com\/ce\/splash\/buy-online-pickup-in-store\/index.<\/p>\n