By Randy Burk, Executive Vice President – Quality Corrections & Inspections At this year’s annual Footwear Sourcing & Sustainability Summit, presented by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers Association (FDRA), I had the opportunity to share insights from the perspective of the reworks guy and to gain insights on the latest trends on global footwear […]
Inbound QA teams in the distribution center have big responsibilities. They are the last set of eyes to audit merchandise prior to its debut for retail sales. They need to look for sewing defects, excessive threads, defected pull cords, sizing specifications, water repellent issues, zippers, buttons, odor issues, mold and much more! Although well trained […]
Dead inventory or dead stock is nothing new to vendors and retailers. Dead inventory can arise for several reasons such as retail seasonality, late deliveries or possibly product production errors in need of correction. It is talked about often and by many but addressing the problem and finding solutions can send you into a frenzy […]
How QCI Benefits Product Sourcing Managers If you serve as a product sourcing specialist or manager in the supply chain, much of the burden for merchandise that does not meet your company’s quality standards on imported shipments can land with you. If distributors, direct buyers or others down the supply chain discover a quality issue […]
The Value of Quality Corrections & Inspections for the Quality Assurance Team Today’s warehouse managers and their quality assurance teams play a critical role in the supply chain: they bear the responsibility of ensuring that goods enter and exit their facility as efficiently as possible. They must have a thorough knowledge of all relevant inventory […]
You’ve opened shipping containers in one of the east or west coast ports. You find that the consumer goods inside are either moldy, not meeting your quality standards, or are otherwise far from spec. You know that sinking feeling of having your day, and probably your week, turned upside down. You may begin calculating your […]
For companies of all sizes and markets, return to vendor (RTV) is a consistent, day-to-day business practice related to the rise of e-commerce. In fact, 2016 saw U.S. shoppers send back $260 billion in merchandise, which translates to eight percent of all purchases in the country. It’s a trend that doesn’t show signs of stopping, […]
What to Do When Invisible Ink Reappears Every Fall and Winter, retailers can often experience a dramatic surge in the volume of products with “invisible” markings showing up on finished goods that have been shipped or stored in cold climates. And if you’re wondering if invisible ink can stain, the answer is yes. Temperature-sensitive […]
For many big box retailers, quality control can be a constant challenge. When receiving a high volume of large orders, a certain number of damaged or defective shipments is inevitable. Of course, putting substandard products on the sales floor is not an option. Shoppers expect and deserve to receive only the best merchandise. Even one […]
As a quality control or corrections officer, it is your job to ensure the goods that leave your facility meet your company’s quality standards. Even one defective or damaged product has the potential to reflect badly on your organization — and your department. Depending on the industry, selling goods of inferior quality could also result […]
