In our latest blog, we examine how retail supply chain restructuring is creating new compliance challenges for suppliers. Learn why changing retailer requirements, rising cost pressures, and increased operational complexity make staying informed more important than ever.

Read the full blog: https://joinrvcf.com/retail-supply-chains-are-restructuring-supplier-compliance-has-to-keep-up/

Check out our Agenda-At-A-Glance to view the training and topic specific sessions, retailer one-on-one meetings, retailer specific breakouts, and networking opportunities which will be offered. More Information & Register Now!

About Sharon - Sharon Gai is an expert in AI and innovation. She helps organizations become agile disruptors in their industries so they can increase revenue and retain users. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Tetra Pak, Twilio and many others. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She is a RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Expert and a LinkedIn Community Top Voice in 2024. She has appeared on Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC, CBC, CCTV, TechCrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor’s degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information Management from Columbia University. When she is not globetrotting, she is jamming pianos or making people laugh in New York’s stand up comedy scene.    

Save the date and join RVCF to celebrate 25 Years of Serving the Retail Industry at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn & Spa 11/2 - 11/5/25.  

Additional details are available HERE.  Don't miss out - early bird pricing and discounted room rates are now in effect.   Sponsorship and Speaking Opportunities are also available.  Contact info@rvcf.com to learn more.

With the recent work on business process implementation guides for shipping errors (Error Prevention and Notification for EDI Ship Notices and Labels) and PO Changes (RVCF Business Process Guideline for PO Changes) we identified a number of X12 EDI codes, also referred to as qualifiers, needed for retail EDI. We worked with ANSI X12, through their Change Request process to add forty-three new codes. Three codes help further define the type of Purchase Order:  Ship to DC/Mark for Store, Ship to Store/Mark for Consumer, and Ship to DC/Mark for Consumer. Forty codes were added to allow retailers to be more specific about errors in the EDI 856 Ship Notice, the shipping labels and the carton.*  The complete list of shipping error codes can be found here.

An important part of the work is to harmonize and standardize the language and terms used for these business processes so they can be used in various methods of digital communication.

Our next business process guide will focus on item master data, including new item set up and updates to existing item data. Our surveys showed that incorrect item master data was one of the biggest reasons for PO changes, and a significant source for Ship Notice errors. With the roll out of  RFID and two dimensional bar codes on the consumer package, complete and accurate item data will be critical for both retailers and merchandise suppliers if they are to meet consumer expectations. If you would like to join us on the new Item Master Work Group, please contact Susan Haupt (shaupt@rvcf.com).

* The codes are available in version 8060. Using the relatively new ISX envelope as part of the EDI transmission “wrapper” it is possible to use the latest code list with an older version of EDI. Please see X12.org for more information.

Leading Motivational Keynote Speaker on Burnout, Employee Wellness and Mental Health and best selling author Jessica Rector,MBA - Founder & CEO of Vitalize Unlimited will present Embrace the Yes: The Unconventional Way to Prevent, Break Through, and Stop Burnout. 

Other sessions include:

• PO Life Cycle
• Global Transportation Risks & Challenges
• Incentivizing Your Top Performing Suppliers
• Sustainability, Green Claims & EPR: The Evolving Legal Landscape
• Using Robotics for Inbound and Outbound Shipments
• Creating Exceptional Brand Experiences to gain competitive advantage.
• BI Automation in Sales & Operations
• Supply Chain Process & Workflow Improvement using LEAN Six Sigma
• Best Practices in Order Management. 
• Supply Chain Talent Evolution: Shaping a Tech-Driven, Problem-Solving Powerhouse Team
• Combatting Theft in the Supply Chain
• Managing Influencer Marketing's Effect on the Supply Chain
• Post Audit Preparation and Defense Strategies
• AI Automation in Logistics

along with Retailer/Supplier Breakout sessions and 1:1 Meetings, Open Forums, Roundtable and Panel Discussions and more. 

Each year, the RVCF Annual Fall Conference attracts hundreds of retailers, merchandise suppliers and service providers who are committed to solving industry problems, developing innovative solutions, and growing profits through collaboration. No other conference or organization delivers as much direct interaction and knowledge-sharing between trading partners, which is why attendee feedback is overwhelmingly positive each year.

The last day to take advantage of a discounted early bird rate is August 1, 2024 and rooms at the host venue are filling up quickly, so early registration is strongly recommended. For more information about the RVCF Annual Fall Conference, contact Susan Haupt, Vice President, Operations and Member Services, RVCF, at shaupt@rvcf.com or 646-442-3433.

Jessica Rector, MBA, Founder and CEO of Vitalize Unlimited will keynote the 2024 RVCF Annual Fall Conference at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson, AZ - 11/3 - 11/6/24.  

Jessica Rector is on a mission to help others truly live.

Founder of Vitalize Unlimited, a product suite to create better life-work alignment and prevent burnout, with science backed solutions designed for you to take action, Jessica empowers you, through her Say Yes journey, to get out of your comfort zone and into possibilities, so you can break through burnout and tackle your negative thoughts to turn them into positive action and bigger outcomes!

Vitalize Unlimited consults with companies and train teams to create a culture that no one wants to leave by enhancing mental health and eradicating burnout. They have worked with clients such as Scotiabank, NBCUniversal, the Dallas Mavericks, and Fortune’s #2 “Best Company to work for.”

As a #1 best-selling author of ten books, and when she is not traveling around the world for work, Jessica enjoys creating more Say Yes experiences, while learning about the exciting world of Transformers, so she can carry on real conversations with her CFO, Chief Fun Officer, her eleven-year-old son, Blaise, who is also a #1 best-seller author.
 
About the Session: Embrace the Yes: The Unconventional Way to Prevent, Break Through, and Stop Burnout

Burnout is cited as the #1 reason why people are leaving their jobs.   Burnout spreads like a wildfire, affecting everything in its path and it isn’t slowing down any time soon...but it doesn’t have to be that way. The magic comes with not just addressing burnout but also knowing how to prevent it.

Jessica understands firsthand the impact of burnout and the importance of its prevention. She’s uncovered the game changing approach that solves the burnout dilemma and she’ll guide you through her unique unconventional way to prevent and beat burnout, while helping you tackle the vicious mental health/burnout cycle and develop better life-work alignment.

Buckle up for a one-of-a-kind experience with Jessica, because everything you think you know about burnout is about to get flipped upside down. 

The full agenda will be announced soon and will feature a combination of presentations from industry experts, round table and panel discussions plus these RVCF conference staples that make this event so unique:

• Retailer, Supplier and Service Provider Open Forums
• Trading Partner 1:1 Meetings
• Retailer/Supplier "How to do Business" breakout sessions

Event Registration is open with an Early Bird Savings in effect.   Use the hotel reservation portal for a discounted room rate of $249.00 per night (plus taxes and fees).  

• Retailer, Supplier and Service Provider Open Forums
• Trading Partner 1:1 Meetings
• Retailer/Supplier "How to do Business" breakout sessions

Event Register is open with an Early Bird Savings in effect.   Use the hotel reservation portal for a discounted room rate of $249.00 per night (plus taxes and fees).  Presentation and Sponsorship applications are now being accepted. 

Download our conference planning timelines for Retailers and Suppliers to get started.

RVCF and AIM, Inc. have co-authored a list of RFID Frequently Asked Questions in Retail. It is intended to convey basic terms and concepts for those in retail business operations tasked with understanding RFID and helping with its implementation, maintenance and success. RVCF worked with several retailers to identify the questions most often asked by their trading partners. Answers were provided by the AIM RFID Experts Group, RVCF, and the retailers.

AIM is an organization which advocates for all forms of Automatic Identification and Data Capture. For the last fifty years they have been active in global standards. Their mission statement is, “as the unbiased resource for networking, education, advocacy and standards, AIM will help its members grow their businesses by fostering the effective use of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) solutions. AIM’s Vision is advancing the effective use of automatic identification and data capture.”

Here is the introduction to the document, which can be found here…

In its simplest form, radio frequency identification (RFID) is a microchip which contains a unique identification number, attached to an antenna. Each chip must have a unique identifier to be singled out and “seen” by the reader which also has an antenna. Chip IDs and reader locations can be identified, which allows the system to capture and record an event (what, when, where).

In retail the unique identifier is the well-established Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) for the product and a serial number (SN) assigned by the brand owner so, for example, if there are twenty-four items with the same GTIN in a carton, because they also have a unique SN, they can each be read and counted while still in the box. RFID is currently used in retail for inventory, picking, packing, shipping and receiving.

Of course, there are many technical details and terms which need to be understood to implement RFID successfully. They include information about tags, data structures, memory locations, frequencies, readers, standards, readability issues, and business process applications.

RVCF Annual Fall Conference - 11/5-8  at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Registration rates for this event are: $1,949 for Members, $2,249 for non-Members.  Save $150 with our Early Bird rate that is in effect until 8/1. 
 
It's not too early to begin making your plans. Download our conference planning timelines for Retailers and Suppliers.  
 
Service Providers: Secure your space in our Exhibit area and consider one of our many additional sponsorship opportunities. Contact kzablocky@rvcf.com for pricing and availability. 

RVCF and Drs. Brian Gibson and Glenn Richey of Auburn University's Harbert College of Business & Center for Supply Chain Innovation have combined resources to create a timely talent development program focusing on critical supply chain issues. 

This three (3) - part offering will kick off this summer with a webinar "Managing a Constrained Supply Chain" on August 23, 2022, followed by the launch of a self-study Global Supply Chain Fundamentals certificate course and a half-day workshop taking place on November 1, 2022, and offered as an add on session to the RVCF Fall Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.  

 These programs will benefit those who are:

• Entering supply chain roles from another business function
• Experienced in some aspects of Supply Chain Management and want to broaden their knowledge base
• New hires and recently promoted associates with limited supply chain knowledge

Participants in 1, 2, or all 3 of these offerings will gain a unique perspective from content unavailable elsewhere. 

"The RVCF team is committed to helping its members through trading partner collaboration, sharing best practices, and educating the people responsible for the movement of goods through the Retail Value Chain. Over the past two and a half years, the retail industry has experienced Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, port closings, container shortages, high container costs, and a lack of chassis and drivers. The recent years have surely been a challenging time. Through our partnership with Auburn University, we can better prepare our members for future challenges by providing supply chain practical business know-how presented in an academic setting." – Kim Zablocky, Founder of RVCF.

“Join us for innovative and interactive sessions as we examine supply chain strategies and solutions for managing operations in the highly complex global environment. Through the RVCF/Auburn program, you will investigate traditional and emerging best practices, engage with supply chain executives and educators, and learn via in-person and independent self-study formats. Participating in the program will give you the skills to better manage constrained supply chain.” Brian and Glenn

About Our Presenters – 

Brian Gibson serves as the Wilson Family Professor of Supply Chain Management, Executive Director of the Center for Supply Chain Innovation at Auburn University. He recently completed a Fulbright Finland professorship at the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki. His 30-plus years of research and teaching is complimented by ten years of retail logistics management experience with Meijer and Dayton-Hudson (Target). Gibson is very active in association leadership, serving as an officer for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and on the supply chain steering committee for the Retail Industry Leaders Association. 

Glenn Richey is a Harbert Eminent Scholar and the Supply Chain Management Department chair at Auburn University. He is the current Editor-in-Chief of the elite Journal of Business Logistics. Richey engages in industry-based supply chain strategy and international business research and has published over 100 research articles since 2002. Richey taught supply chain and global business logic in 26 countries. Before academia, Richey worked for a decade in managerial positions, including procurement, retail consulting, sales, and logistics & supply chain operations for Scott Paper Company and Genuine Parts Company. He continues to work in these areas through research, consulting, and expert opinion.  

About RVCF - The Retail Value Chain Federation (RVCF) provides platforms and opportunities for communication between retail industry stakeholders. We promote education through live events, teleconferences, webinars, and research. We offer a benchmark of best practices, technology solutions, and strategic initiatives. RVCF is the driving force that enables retailers and suppliers to streamline operations, improve supply chain execution and accelerate time to market to become more profitable. We are committed to the advancement of the retail industry as a whole.

Whether you are looking to hire an Associate or an Executive, posting a job listing in RVCF's Career Center places your position in front of a targeted audience of qualified candidates with the skills and experience to fill the spot quickly and get new hires up to speed in no time.  Employers may post positions directly onto our site or contact us for assistance or confidential postings.  Our intent in providing this service is to complement (not replace) your current recruiting efforts.  Your listing can include links directly to your preferred application process whether it’s housed on other job boards or being handled internally.   Best of all there is no cost to either the employer or candidate for this service.

A job description library, resume search and new posting alerts are also available as a "members only" service. 

Visit the Career Center to get started or contact us to learn more.

Suggested timelines to make the most of your conference experience:   Retailers | Merchandise Suppliers.

Following a successful return to in-person collaboration with the 2021 Annual Fall Conference (See "We're Back" in the December edition of the RVCF Link), RVCF continues the momentum in 2022 with the announcement of our 2022 RVCF Annual Fall Conference (10/30/2022 to 11/04/2022)  at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, AZ
 
Registration is open now with Early Bird Rates in effect through September 1st.  The Agenda will be published soon. 

3PLs are an integral factor in shipping to retailers. In order to do so accurately, they must rely on their clients to provide details of retailers shipping and packing requirements.  Recently a 3PL reached out to RVCF with the following request:

“Retailer requirements and changes are often behind a secure portal making them unavailable to us.  Direct access to retailers’ guides and requirements as well as any updates that happen would make a significant difference in our ability to serve our customer (the supplier) and ultimately their customer (the retailer). It is in both our and the retailer’s best interest for third party providers to have access to the latest in vendor requirements.

Additionally, there are times when clarification may be needed on a particular retailer’s requirements and it would be great to have access to the retailer directly for that clarification and not have to go through the vendor as they may not have a good understanding themselves”.

This disconnect of communication flow has caused disruption, delay and error prone shipments leading to chargebacks.  If retailers could put Logistics, EDI Mapping and Packaging instructions in the public domain of their portal, this could in no doubt improve the flow of merchandise to their shelves.

This change would benefit not only 3PL’s but EDI bureaus, and suppliers DC teams as well, as many of these folks do not have access to customers’ portals.

We hope this article and its position is well received with hopes of any retailer who has a secure Vendor/Routing Guide, takes the initial step of sharing this general information as mentioned above.

Early bird discounts will be applied to registrations processed prior to 8/1.  Check in at rvcf.com for additional event information and updates.

• A dedicated, New York based account management team to assist with creating your digital storefront where you will list products, manage inquiries and target buyers globally
• Exclusive exhibition opportunities at Alibaba’s online tradeshows
• Copyright protection and policing
• Transaction fraud prevention

Plus, you will own your customer data, pay 0% commissions on your sales and unlike other on-line marketplaces, Alibaba.com does not sell its own products, so you never have to compete.

Watch the recap of RVCF's Feb 3 webinar in which Channel Partnership Manager, Steve Kohn, who discussed “How Alibaba.com is driving success to B2B Retail in 2021.” or contact Alibaba directly to learn more.

For Retailers

• Collaborate with your peers in our Open Forum teleconferences. New sessions have been added to the calendar to address the need for more frequent updates.  Pre-registration is required, minutes are kept and distributed following the calls and are available on our website.
• Communicate compliance and business process updates with your Merchandise Suppliers through our daily Compliance Clearinghouse e-mail alerts or address them as a group via webinar.  Our experienced event staff will market your session, process the registrations, conduct follow up and assist with hosting.
• If supplemental IT support is needed, our website (rvcf.com) offers the ability for to post documents, updates and communicate with your suppliers within a private secure community.  Let our team handle the set up and onboarding and we’ll launch your custom branded “site within a site” in a matter of days.

For Merchandise Suppliers

• The Compliance Clearinghouse team continues it’s monitoring functions and alerts are being sent daily.  Our recently launched Custom Monitoring solution offers the option to extend monitoring functions beyond our standard list of participants to provide total support of your compliance monitoring functions.
• Our calendar of events has been expanded to include weekly Open Forum teleconferences through the end of April.  We are prepared to extend these weekly sessions further if needed.  
• RVCF.com features Forum Boards where questions can be posted and insights provided for near real time responses.

For Service Providers

Although in-person events have been cancelled worldwide, the need to communicate your message remains critical.  RVCF offers opportunities to connect including virtual events, publication and advertising.  We have packaged our most popular options to create an “Enhanced Communication Package” to distribute your message through various channels. 

     
For All

• If you have a position to fill, or are looking for your next opportunity let us know.  The RVCF member site (rvcf.com) features a Career Center that includes job listings for both Retailers and Merchandise Suppliers plus resumes of those looking for their next opportunity.
• Explore our Thought Leadership Store to download RVCF and sponsored content including survey results, whitepapers and other reference materials.
• Take advantage of our Virtual Events (see current schedule blow) to learn more about topics of general interest.  Be sure to check our site for the latest additions to our Calendar of Events.

If you see a need that we are able to help you to address we would love to hear from you.  Contact info@rvcf.com or any member of the RVCF Team.

Twenty year later, RVCF remains committed to helping both retailers and merchandise suppliers identify root causes of the issues that have slowed the movement of goods throughout the entire product procurement cycle.

Today, a different problem is eroding the bottom lines of both retailers and merchandise suppliers: E-Comm returns of product from consumers. Once again, Senior Managers are telling us it is the cost of doing business online. As Reagan said years ago, "There you go again”.

RVCF is exploring ways we can measure what is transpiring in the E-Comm marketplace to cause this problem and identify ways to improve the business process on E-Comm product returns. Our objective is not only to reduce or eliminate returns, but to address the handling and resolution of the product. 

RVCF has expanded our focus in 2020 with the launch of the RVCF E-Comm Product Returns Council, sponsored by Newmine, to tackle this challenge head-on.  “Returns is a growing challenge for retailers and brands, especially brands who offers seasonal merchandise. The RVCF Brand members I have talked to are facing serious challenges, such as no visibility to the amount of seasonal merchandise that is being returned by consumers or was never sold by the Retailer”, said a spokesperson from Newmine.

RVCF is tackling the returns challenge, as the financial gain from returns reductions can be substantial for Retailers and Brands alike and includes recovery of lost margin, plus reduction in operating, processing, shipping costs, as well as the cost to refurbish returned merchandise and the cost to liquidate. A general rule of thumb: Every $1M in return reduction equates to $500K in bottom line improvement for the Retailer or the Brand.  Click on the exclusive RVCF link below, answer a few quick questions, and unlock your returns reduction potential for FY20. http://www.newmine.com/returns-calculator-rvcf

Participating with the Council will give our members an opportunity to learn about new technologies that have been proven to reduce returns, discuss impactful steps that can be taken before, during, and after the sale and drive meaningful conversations between retailers and suppliers on how to efficiently process, handle and liquidate return merchandise.

We ask our Retail and Brand members to encourage their returns-focused managers to participate. The first meeting will be held in conjunction with the RVCF Spring Conference followed by the RVCF Fall event.  The group is open to all RVCF Members at no additional cost.  Conference registration is required to participate.

Please feel free to contact me directly for more information at kzablocky@rvcf.com.