What really goes on behind the scenes to ensure you get the things you order on-line or in person? To find out more, I spoke with Wayne Snyder, Vice President of Retail Strategy for EMEA at Blue Yonder.Wayne has worked in retail for more than 20 years and is a recognised expert in planning and supply chain operations.Wayne argues that with recent advances in technology, we’ve opened a digital window to the consumer, allowing us to go online, and see real-time availability of products in stores.Because we’re making any flaws in the supply chain very visible to the consumer, the need to solve issues becomes even more important, because as consumers we are fickle, and will go anywhere that can help us best.Wayne makes a point that there is an even greater challenge for retailers to make sure the supply chain is not only delighting but exceeding the expectations of customers.We covered many topics related to retail and the supply chain including:Covid's impact on the supply chainThe 2021 Fuel CrisisThe retail industry's impact from the pandemicKey lessons for retail from the pandemicIs there a need for open data in retail?Navigating retail dataThe role of regulation in the retail spaceSharing dataIntermediaries sharing high-level trendsThe change in consumer behaviour due to the pandemicWill consumers shop closer to where they live vs where they work?The move to online shopping as the defaultWhy stores are still dominantDifferentiating between store and online popularityWhat part does technology play in the supply chain?Why Excel shouldn't be running your supply chainThe importance of IoT for the supply chainThe Golden Quarter & Christmas in RetailThe 2022 challenges for retailers?Building resilience into the supply chainThe need for data literacyM&S example of digital enablementThe use of real-time control towers in retailThe move from when things happened to why things happenedWhat's the future for supply chain technologyThe impact of Christmas on the supply chainWhy the supply chain will be holistic, connected & real-timeOpening the digital window to the consumerThe need for the supply chain to exceed customer expectationsUS Retailer inventory accuracy exampleException based reporting focusing on what's importantThe role Blue Yonder plays to help with supply chain fluctuationsThe need for shorter technology deployment cyclesShould consumers care about what goes on behind the scenes?3 Actionable things to do todayMore on WayneWayne on TwitterWayne on LinkedInBlue Yonder WebsiteBooks Wayne is readingUnsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It MattersFactfulness Illustrated: Ten Reasons We're Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereAndrew's upcoming book