D3 Retail NYC 2016: All You Need to Know
Posted by on Jul 20, 2016
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Last week was a big week for the retail supply chain community as the sector’s brightest lights came together in New York for the inaugural D3 Retail Summit to answer the increasingly pressing question: what is the future of retail, and how do retailers get there?
Brought to you by eft, D3 Retail – Dynamic Distribution Disruption – is a first-of-its-kind meeting place for executives driving forward the transformation of retail supply chains in the face of radically altered consumer expectations, rapid technological advancement and continual industry disruption. Response to the summit’s first year was overwhelmingly positive, with speakers, sponsors and attendees all praising its collaborative nature.
“There really isn't another show of its kind where Supply Chain individuals get together and talk about what's coming next” Brett Goffin, Head of Retail @ Google
“Truly brought together supply chain leaders that are pioneering changes in retail”
Kevin Lelen, Marketing Director @ Agile Network
“Great networking opportunity”
Harry Moser, President @ Reshoring Initiative
“High level of thought-provoking and interactive discussions”
Guy Meisl, Supply Chain Director EMEA @ Deckers Brands
In the course of two action-packed days expertly chaired by retail supply chain veteran Hugh Williams (of Hughenden Consulting), the points and counterpoints came thick and fast, with a succession of world-leading retailers taking to the discussion floor: Google, Home Depot, Walmart, Birchbox, Sears, Nike, Target, Aldo, CVS Health, Lacoste, DSW, 1-800-Flowers, GAP, Deckers Brands, Verizon and Michael Kors. Important perspectives were also provided by innovative solution providers Tompkins International, Teradata, Oliver Wyman, Agile Network, Magliner, Mobotech, Sealed Air, Sphere, AFMS, Saddle Creek, Transfix and OmniTrail Technologies.
Conversations ranged from the role played by consumers, suppliers and 3PLs through to questions of inventory management, distribution strategy and business-technology alignment. Overarching all the individual debates though was the conviction – shared by all participants – that the future of the retail industry will be decided in the supply chain arena. And the winners will be those retailers that provide the right omnichannel experience, delivering to their customers cost-effectively via the channels that they value the most.
“Outstanding collaboration and openness to share current challenges and future visions” Dan Reiser, Operational Excellence @ Cardinal Health
“Allowed me to better understand the dynamics of silos within companies”
Gary Kazmer, GM @ Crayola
“Important insights into the challenges facing the industry around data management and Omnichannel delivery” Linda Sheehan, Director @ Quartet FS
So what were some key takeaways from the summit? The customer will be at the center of the next iteration of retail, in which data and science, rather than instinct and feeling, will sculpt supply chains and different functions within retail companies – currently in silos – will have to collaborate much more effectively than they do today. Retail and supply chain are changing in many unprecedented ways, so this is certainly a space to watch, and it will be fascinating to see what the picture looks like by the time D3 2017 comes around.
“The participation and organization was top in class”
Seth Beardsley, Senior Director of Supply Chain @ Lacoste
“One of the best interactive supply chain events I have been too!”
Frank Di Fruscia, President of Global Logistics @ TrafficTech Inc.
“Highly qualified individuals contributing in a lively discussion of supply chain topics”
Craig Jones, VP Supply Chain @ Aldo
“High-level executives and detailed discussion, just great”
Stephan Lauzon, SVP @ 99 Cents Only Stores LLC
“Some of the best minds in retail logistics”
Brendon Gredig, GM Supply Chain & Logistics @ Smiths City Group
For those that missed D3 this year, eft is proud to announce – in light of the overwhelmingly positive feedback – that the summit will be returning in full force in 2017. Those that wish to stay in touch in the meantime are invited to pre-order the brochure for 2017. More information on sponsoring and exhibiting opportunities can be found here.