Annual revenues of U.S.-based 3PL providers are $60 billion, and the good news is that figure is projected to grow, as 3PL providers increase their service offerings. The next logical step from there is for them to improve customer service. As technology continues to rapidly change, 3PLs “must focus on management and relationship processes, global offerings, comprehensive solutions for the entire supply chain and information technology,’’ says Pamela Gabor, group manager, Logistics Sales, at SPS Commerce.

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In order for suppliers to be of value to their retailers, they must figure out how to manage customer relationships. Many suppliers have copped a victim mentality over the years and it comes as little surprise that retailers don’t want to deal with that attitude any longer. With products ranging in the hundreds or hundreds of thousands, retailers have come to expect more value add from their suppliers. They need to know which products are performing, underperforming -- or are so hot they can’t stock them fast enough. Read more...

The good news is there’s more and more product data available for suppliers and retailers. The not-so-good news is that sharing that data has become overwhelming as economic conditions continue to be a challenge and industry growth is changing the way data sharing continues to grow.

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