See how we achieved standardization with the rich features backed by the performance of Manhattan WMS, balancing improvements in delivery quality and cost reduction. The video is here: https://www.manh.com/ja-jp/resources/videos/home-logistics-co-ltd-creating-new-logistics-value

Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: MANH) announces that Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sapporo City, Kita Ward, President: Toshiyuki Shirai, hereinafter referred to as Nitori), a global company that covers a wide range of areas from procurement, production, retail to logistics, has implemented Manhattan's Warehouse Management System (WMS) at one of the largest logistics centers in Japan, the Kansai Logistics Center (hereinafter referred to as Kansai DC). In a situation where a persistent labor shortage is a problem, Nitori aims to standardize its operations using Manhattan's WMS solutions to improve the efficiency and processing capacity of its entire logistics network.

Omnichannel fulfillment is undoubtedly important for retailers, but as stores become an essential part of omnichannel fulfillment strategies, new risks also arise. The loss of sales opportunities is an obvious risk, but disappointing customers is also a significant risk. When a customer orders online and is promised that their order will be ready for pickup at a specific time, they naturally expect it to be ready. If it is not, they may feel dissatisfied and choose not to shop with you again. In today’s highly competitive environment, this can easily lead to lost business opportunities and a decline in brand reputation. According to a study by Forrester Research, poor customer service is estimated to result in a loss of sales opportunities amounting to $62 billion annually in the United States.

Customers will not be able to keep up with demand, whether in wholesale, retail, or direct sales. Let's gain the benefits of fulfillment that combines wave and wave-less types with Manhattan Order Streaming. This technology is only available with the Manhattan Warehouse Management System. Watch the video here https://www.manh.com/ja-jp/resources/videos/manhattan-wms-and-advantage-order-streaming

Online purchases, in-store pickup (BOPIS), and same-day delivery from stores are among the biggest success stories of omnichannel retail fulfillment. Shoppers particularly prefer this service when it is fast and free, and demand is still growing. Accordingly, many retailers are preparing their stores as fulfillment locations. In fact, 90% of retailers have reported plans to implement BOPIS by 2021. However, from an operational perspective, if not executed carefully, store fulfillment can encounter challenges. This issue is particularly severe in the area of store inventory management. Accurately tracking store inventory is essential to building a reliable omnichannel offering. Low inventory accuracy can quickly lead to failures in omnichannel deployment, potentially damaging the brand's reputation.

This is a time to recognize the interconnectedness and interdependence of people around the world. As the novel coronavirus affects economies, businesses, and individuals globally, the role and continuity of supply chains have never been more important. Supermarkets are well-stocked with essential goods for sustaining life, and the current environment emphasizes how 21st-century supply chains should operate to ensure that online orders are promptly delivered to those in vulnerable positions or sheltering indoors. The resilience and responsiveness of supply chains continue to demonstrate their critical flow of supplies to local communities.

Amid the ongoing situation with the novel coronavirus, the safest method is to switch from face-to-face interactions to online alternatives. We are witnessing such situations in the retail industry. A significant amount of purchasing behavior that traditionally took place in physical stores has temporarily shifted online. Due to the impact of indoor sheltering, there is also an increasing demand for relatively new fulfillment methods such as home delivery and curbside pickup. While there has been extensive reporting on the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of warehouse workers and delivery personnel, it is clear that the retail, wholesale, and manufacturing industries are coming together to respond to this consumer-driven shift in demand.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought the supply chain into the spotlight. Until recently, most people around the world had never thought about how products get from manufacturers to store shelves. However, the consumer chaos surrounding the outbreak of the coronavirus led to widespread stock shortages in stores, making global supply chains front-page news. Companies and individuals on the front lines of the supply chain are performing heroic work to ensure that the right products are available in the right place at the right time. As a supply chain technology partner to many of the world's top brands, Manhattan Associates has been fortunate to witness such heroic efforts firsthand. I would like to share some observations about the challenges our customers have faced and are trying to overcome.

The technologies of transportation and communication have expanded the world, facilitating not only travel and communication but also cross-border business. However, global crises like the current COVID-19 pandemic are drawing stark attention to the consequences of this connected world we live in. Recently, a crisis in one country can potentially cause conflicts in distant regions or markets. It seems that the challenges of truly global commerce and the importance of frictionless, freely flowing supply chains are beginning to be rightly recognized. The supply chain is now being pushed to its limits, but thanks to the remarkable technological advancements recently introduced in the supply chain space, both resilience and agility are now being enhanced.

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, distribution centers (DCs) across the country are bustling with activity. While many of us are sheltering indoors, warehouse employees are fulfilling a massive volume of orders for essential and non-essential items. Day by day, warehouse workers are putting themselves at risk to keep the supply chain moving and ensure that consumers at home can obtain the items they need. What measures are employers taking to protect their employees? What steps are being taken to encourage distribution center employees to come to work? Additionally, how will these temporary measures impact the future of labor management in warehouses?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much of the world to a standstill. However, we must continue to move inventory to bring stability to customers and the economy. We are proud to partner with various industries that play a leading role in providing lifesaving supplies and essential goods to the public. In recent weeks, we have had the opportunity to hear from many professionals within our customer base. Each of them continues to do an incredible job of ensuring that the items truly needed are delivered to the community, despite the unstable fluctuations occurring between supply and demand.

Now, a single great book, like a new T-shirt, can change the situation dramatically. Retailers are working hard, bringing about things that were part of sales, work, comfort, and the ordinary, one sale at a time.