In 2023, the total cost of inventory distortion is projected at $1.77 trillion, down $172 billion from 2022 with out-of-stocks accounting for $1.2 trillion and overstocks totaling $562 billion. IHL has been tracking retail inventory distortion and the true cost of out-of-stocks and overstocks for 17 years. Inventory distortion worldwide is a critical issue that continues to plague retailers worldwide, causing significant financial losses and operational challenges. Download this report to learn more about the total costs of out-of-stocks and overstocks worldwide and by region, the root causes, what is working and not working, as well as the key solutions that are moving the needle; also learn how AI/ML and Generative AI are already adding value and then what the future holds for impact on inventory distortion. Download the IHL report now “Inventory Distortion – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” and learn where progress has been made (the Good), the huge issues that remain for optimization (the Bad), and still other issues that are getting worse (the Ugly).
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ICON 2026
ICON will bring together the industry’s best supply chain minds from retail, manufacturing, and logistics from May 17–20, 2026 in San Diego, CA . - Artificial Intelligence
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How AI-Enabled Planning Will Improve Your Supply Chain Performance
Extreme volatility, inventory shortages and data overload are all challenges businesses are facing when it comes to supply chain planning. AI-enabled planning capabilities can address these challenges by improving decision-making, agility, and collaboration across supply chain functions.
2025 Supply Chain Compass: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Navigating Complexity
In this survey of nearly 700 businesses, we asked supply chain leaders about their ambitions, fears, goals and strategies. Find out the overall direction of the industry, the state of the art of supply chain management, why optimism remains strong and which key actions are being prioritized to achieve strategic goals like building resilience, implementing new technology, and becoming more sustainable.
Beyond Silos: Evolving to an Enterprise Supply Chain
Incisiv explores the significant transformation underway in modern supply chains, detailing the shift away from fragmented processes and point solutions to more agile platforms and collaborative workflows. This evolution addresses systemic issues such as inflexibility and disconnected communication, enhancing supply chain responsiveness, sustainability, and profitability. - About
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ICON 2026
ICON will bring together the industry’s best supply chain minds from retail, manufacturing, and logistics from May 17–20, 2026 in San Diego, CA .
