Best practices for implementing Lean techniques in retail and wholesale

"Essential reading for those who want to learn how Lean provides a competitive edge in today's fast-paced, multi-channel, and cost-conscious environment." —Mark Temkin, Director, Demand Planning, Barnes & Noble, Inc.

"Provides an enlightening perspective on the applications of Lean principles to the increasingly challenging worlds of the retail and wholesale sectors." —Professor C. John Langley, Jr., Penn State University

Featuring real-world case studies, this practical, streamlined guide reveals how utilize a comprehensive Lean methodology throughout retail and wholesale businesses to reduce costs and improve productivity, quality, customer service, and profitability. Lean Retail and Wholesale examines Lean opportunities from the viewpoint of retail strategy, merchandise management, and store and distribution operations and provides a holistic, systematic approach for identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities. The Lean techniques presented can be applied to traditional brick-and-mortar wholesalers and retailers as well as e-businesses.

Coverage includes:

Using Lean as a tool to survive and thrive in retail and wholesale

(R)evolution of retail—from the general store to e-commerce

The Lean journey from goods to services

Lean retail and wholesale: early signs of promise

Basic Lean concepts and tools: building a solid foundation

Advanced Lean concepts and tools: K.I.S.S. (keep it simple and straightforward)

Retail strategy: sales and marketing, location, human resources management, IT, supply chain management, and customer relationship management

Merchandise management: planning, buying, pricing, and communications

Store operations management

Lean retail and wholesale distribution

Lean assessments and value stream mapping

Leadership, culture, teams, and training

Partnering, outsourcing, import, technology, and Six Sigma

Critical thinking and continuous improvement: methodology, education, training, and analytics

Defining and measuring success—measurements and current statistics

The road ahead: thoughts and suggestions on the future of Lean in retail and wholesale