Commerce chronicles: Feb 26, 2024

Cart.com launches Constellation OMS, Mango continues U.S. expansion in San Diego, S&P reports on supply chains, Walmart acquires Vizio and Amazon onboards more people in its Ships in Product Packaging Program. Plus, what did Magic 2024 attendees have to say?

In this week’s news, Cart.com launches Constellation OMS, a solution designed to unify commerce and give retailers the ultimate operational visibility. European fashion brand Mango continues its U.S. expansion. S&P releases report about the supply chain, and Walmart sees growth in Q4 and acquires Vizio. Amazon adds more areas to its Ships in Product Packaging Program. Visit our blog every Monday for a roundup of the latest commerce news.

Cart.com launches Constellation OMS, a best-in-class order management system

Cart.com unveiled its latest innovation, Constellation OMS, a standalone offering of their proprietary distributed order management software. The solution gives merchants full control over orders and inventory across channels, empowering them to synchronize cross-channel data, manage orders intelligently and streamline product listing across various platforms. With AI-powered demand forecasting and dynamic freight rate shopping, Constellation OMS helps businesses maximize cost savings and ensure efficient transportation management. Additionally, Cart.com offers seamless integrations with existing commerce platforms and comprehensive cybersecurity measures to safeguard businesses and customers. Enterprises can choose to buy and deploy Cart.com’s Constellation OMS software to streamline their existing operations or fully outsource their omnichannel fulfillment needs to Cart.com. 

Popular fashion brand Mango continues US expansion

Mango, a well-known European fashion brand, continues its expansion in the United States with the opening of its first store in San Diego's Fashion Valley.¹ The 400 m² selling space exclusively stocks the Woman line and features the Mediterranean-inspired store concept, New Med, showcasing the brand's spirit and freshness. As part of its ambitious growth plan launched in 2022, Mango aims to have 40 stores in the U.S. by 2024.

The company's expansion strategy focuses on combining physical stores in major shopping malls with standalone locations to maximize its presence and reach customers across different regions. They also aim to drive online sales both on their website and in digital marketplaces. Mango's Director of Expansion and Franchises, Daniel López, emphasizes the brand's excitement about bringing the physical store experience to San Diego, highlighting the importance of the US market in their future growth plans. She says, “After the excellent reception of Mango in New York and Miami and the recent arrival last year in Texas, Georgia and Los Angeles, we are very excited to bring the brand experience physically for the first time in San Diego as part of our ambitious development plan for the United States, one of our key markets in the coming years.”

The New Med store concept prioritizes sustainability and architectural integration, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere with traditional and natural materials. Furthermore, with its commitment to offering quality products and enhancing the shopping experience, Mango looks to solidify its position as a leading fashion brand in the competitive U.S. market.

S&P releases latest edition of Look Forward, focusing on Supply Chains

S&P Global's most recent Look Forward,² a research series, delves into the critical themes shaping the future of global supply chains up to 2030. Although this is Volume 5 in the series, it’s the inaugural issue for Look Forward: Supply Chains.³ With industry pressures including geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions, the report provides insights to navigate these challenges. The issue also highlights key trends, including the expected growth of global trade outpacing GDP, a shift in supply chain policies towards national security priorities and the emergence of Southeast Asia and Mexico as reshoring destinations. It addresses workforce growth disparities, financing challenges for decarbonization in the container shipping industry and the strategic importance of supply chains amidst evolving dynamics and technologies.

Edouard Tavernier, President of S&P Global Mobility, underscores the significance of supply chain insights in navigating uncertainties and seizing opportunities. He says, “Whether in the opportunities emerging from evolving dynamics and technologies, or the risks arising across geopolitical spheres, the strategic value of supply chains has never been more evident.”

Walmart sees online sales growth in Q4, acquires Smart T.V. maker Vizio

Walmart announced its acquisition of Vizio for $2.3 billion while revealing robust fourth-quarter sales growth with revenue up 5.7% YoY reaching $173.4 billion, bolstered by increased consumer spending at its stores and online. Walmart U.S. same-store sales rose 4%, outperforming expectations. Foot traffic improved at the end of December and turned positive in January despite and early Q4 dip. CEO Doug McMillon attributed Walmart’s success to improved customer experiences and marketing strategies during the holiday season. Ecommerce sales surged by 23% YoY, exceeding $100 billion, indicating strong consumer demand. Looking ahead, Walmart anticipates continued growth in consolidated net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, projecting a 4% to 5% increase.⁴

Takeaways from Magic 2024: What did attendees have to say?

The MAGIC event that took place February 13-15 in Las Vegas was an unforgettable. The Cart.com team noted dynamic energy and a good turnout. Engagement was high and the event was effective for networking and building relationships. Cart.com team members enjoyed meetings, cocktail hours and more. Over 700 brads were showcase during the bi-annual event and attendees immersed themselves in trendsetting apparel, footwear, home décor, gifts and beauty products. Educational sessions provided valuable insights into brand building and inventory planning, while panels and chats with industry luminaries explored the intersection of fashion and culture. MAGIC returns to Las Vegas August 19-21, 2024.⁵

Amazon’s expands its Ships in Product Packaging program

Amazon is expanding its Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program to include hundreds of thousands of sellers in the U.S. and Canada.⁶ This move aims to increase the number of packages arriving without Amazon logos. The program, announced last year, offers discounts to sellers who enroll. Eligible products must meet certain criteria, including size and weight, and sellers participate in testing to ensure their products can ship without additional packaging. While the program is currently limited to sellers in the U.S. and Canada, Amazon is closely monitoring adoption rates and anticipates growth over time. The expansion works to reflect Amazon's commitment to sustainability and reducing packaging waste while providing incentives for sellers to participate in eco-friendly shipping practices.

References:

1. https://www.mangofashiongroup.com/en/w/mango-contin%C3%BAa-su-expansi%C3%B3n-por-estados-unidos-con-su-llegada-a-san-diego
2. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-global-unveils-insights-on-future-of-global-supply-chains-in-latest-look-forward-research-series-302067144.html
3. https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/featured/special-editorial/look-forward/look-forward-volume-2-2024
4. https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/02/20/walmart-releases-q4-and-fy24-earnings
5. https://www.magicfashionevents.com/en/events/magic-las-vegas/event-information.html
6. https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/amazon-ships-in-product-packaging-sipp-sellers-discount/707723/