While most companies can track their shipments just fine, many still struggle to connect the dots between purchase orders, landed costs, and actual inventory profitability in real time – creating "shadow inventory" that looks strategic on paper but becomes a cash trap when conditions change rapidly.
As we near the end of summer, most supply chain teams are deep in execution mode for holiday inventory. August back-to-school is here, and September holiday stock needs to be locked in. This timing makes shadow inventory dangerous, with little room for error when working capital costs climb and every aspect of planning and execution must go smoothly.
To get a clearer picture of what’s ahead,
SupplyChain24/7 spoke with Stephen Dyke, Principal Solutions Consultant Manager at FourKites. In this Q&A, Dyke shares insights on the biggest trends he’s watching, how supply chain leaders can stay flexible, and what to expect in the coming months.
