Explore every episode of the podcast It's the End of the Week!

In this edition of Behind the Headlines, David and Charles pull back the curtain on the massive news shaking up the food service industry: Sysco’s $29 billion bid to acquire Restaurant Depot. While the Federal Trade Commission and small restaurant owners parse through anticompetition fears, we dive into the stark operational realities and heavy financials behind the deal. Why pay $29 billion to secure $2 billion in free cash flow? Is Sysco signaling that geographic and inorganic roll-ups have officially hit a wall? We explore the operational differences between traditional multi-stop distribution and the "cash and carry" warehouse model. Plus, Charles shares a compelling theory on how this acquisition could fundamentally change Sysco's e-commerce and urban "last half-mile" delivery strategy —and why GLP-1 medications might actually be the biggest looming shadow over the future of the entire sector.

Why do so many CRM implementations fail? In this episode of It's The End of The Week, LIDD’s Head of Sales, Jeff, and CRM Implementation Consultant, Alex, strip away the corporate buzzwords to reveal the practical mechanics of a highly effective CRM strategy. For professional services and consulting firms, sales reps aren't just selling—they are delivering the projects.

This "seller-doer" reality means your CRM must be an efficiency tool, not an administrative prison. Alex and Jeff outline how to combat user resentment by tying software fields directly to business objectives, automating the tedious stuff (like duplicate checking via third-party tools), and introducing feature changes through "progressive overload".

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Isaac, LIDD’s food banking practice lead, to pull back the curtain on the unique world of non-profit supply chain design. Since 2018, LIDD has partnered with dozens of food banks across North America to transform their operations through data-driven design and digital transformation.

From the origin story of our work with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to the complexities of "right-sizing" 8-figure capital projects, we explore why a food bank is much more than just a standard warehouse.

What happens to the food that never leaves the factory? In this episode of The Playbook, Gina and Maria sit down with Minnie Ringland, Senior Manager at ReFED, to discuss a year-long collaboration aimed at remodeling the landscape of food loss in US manufacturing.

With key government data sets no longer available, LIDD and ReFED developed a comprehensive methodology combining primary interviews and secondary research to provide an up-to-date picture of the food system.

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, Charles and David tackle two major stories where the "visionary" approach collided head-on with operational facts. First, we dissect the recent news of Walmart ending its partnership with OpenAI.We explore why the dream of an AI shopping agent failed because it lacked a deep connection to the ERP and real-time inventory—proving that "agentic AI" is only as good as the data it can actually act upon.Next, we head south to discuss the "Mississippi Liquor Crisis." A botched warehouse management system (WMS) implementation and conveyor incompatibility have left the state with a 174,000-case backlog and bare shelves. We discuss the dangers of inadequate testing and why a $95 million "fix" might actually make things worse.

Is your WMS selection process a value-add or just a long-winded exercise in false confidence? In this episode of The Playbook, we’re joined by Casey from Fullstride to discuss the "magic" of a successful software selection. Moving past the thousand-line spreadsheets, we dive into the "critical levers"—the core workflows and features that truly drive business value. Casey shares insights from 20 years in the WMS space, offering a realistic look at implementation ratios, vendor stability, and the essential "People, Process, and Data" framework required for readiness.

he industrial real estate market is taking a deep breath. In this episode of It’s The End of The Week, Jennifer Hall is joined by Rob Renaud of Encore Advisors to discuss the "rationalization" of the North American industrial landscape in 2026.

Dans cet épisode de It's the End of the Week, David reçoit Marie, experte en développement commercial fraîchement arrivée chez LIDD Montréal. Ensemble, ils explorent les différences fondamentales entre la gestion de la supply chain en Europe et en Amérique du Nord.

Au programme :

• L'évolution des normes de sécurité et le règlement machines de l'UE.

• L'impact de la RSE sur les appels d'offres et les réseaux de distribution.

• La lutte contre le « greenwashing » et l'importance des preuves scientifiques.

• Automatisation : coût de la main-d'œuvre vs disponibilité des terrains.

Nike recently announced the elimination of 775 roles at distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi. While the company cites "accelerating automation" as the driver, Charles Fallon and David Beaudet argue that this is a classic case of a strategy shift—specifically, a retreat from an aggressive direct-to-consumer (DTC) model back toward wholesale distribution.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Nike’s distribution centers were built for a "fantasy" of consumer behavior that didn't materialize.

• The dangers of confusing a vision with a manifestation before demand exists.

• Why automation is being used as a convenient "spin" for broader business losses.

What happens when a civil engineer realizes they have a knack for sales and a passion for solving complex inventory puzzles? You get StockIQ.

In this episode of The Human Link, Emilio Colangelo welcomes Jeffrey Porter, CMO of StockIQ, to discuss the evolution of supply chain planning over the last 35 years. Jeffrey shares the "circuitous path" that led him from Hewlett-Packard to bootstrapping a leading smart inventory management platform

Software implementations are often celebrated for their features, but the underlying data is what truly powers the system. In this episode of It's The End of The Week, Simon Dubuc and Jeff Hamilton discuss why data ownership is the ultimate make-or-break factor for digital transformation. They also break down LIDD’s approach to Digital Transformation Roadmaps—a strategic pre-project phase that helps businesses align their technology ecosystem, budget, and timeline before committing to a specific vendor.00:00 Why data ownership is the missing piece of implementation 03:45 The risk of new features becoming obsolete at go-live 07:05 Balancing ambition with reality: The Seven Levels of WIP trap 12:28 When to use a Digital Transformation Roadmap vs. starting an implementation17:15 Identifying the right size byte for a deployment21:10 Key deliverables: Architecture, requirements, and budget timelines

The first week of 2026 has already started with a bang. From the seizure of oil assets in Venezuela to the shifting role of the US dollar, the "win-win" era of global trade is rapidly transitioning into a fractured, zero-sum game. For small and medium-sized businesses, the old playbook of endless SKU expansion and domestic-only focus is no longer enough to guarantee survival.

In this episode, Steve Weyer and Jeff Hamilton look into the geopolitical pillars driving uncertainty this year and provide a roadmap for how enterprise leaders can hardwire their supply chains for resilience. We explore the rise of "State Capitalism," where governments pick winners and losers, and discuss why the most successful companies of the next decade will be those that look toward the high-growth markets of the Global South and Southeast Asia.

Join Mathieu Galipeau and Alex Moreau as they dive into the world of Vibe Coding, exploring how this innovative approach bridges the gap between creativity and technology. Discover how Vibe Coding fits between low code and pro code, enabling seamless app development through natural language. Our discussion covers the benefits, challenges, and real-world applications of Vibe Coding, and how it can transform your development process.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Vibe Coding and AI Integration 01:28 Understanding Vibe Coding: Definition, Use Cases and Risks 07:37 Technical Debt and Governance in Vibe Coding 10:20 Practical Applications: Order Tracking and Container Management 14:46 Building the App: A Live Demonstration 22:05 Conclusion and Future Directions for Vibe Coding

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, David and Charles dive into the latest supply chain news to separate the hype from the reality. Is the sudden surge in warehouse demand really about investor confidence in tariff policies, or just a market correction? We also explore why Danone can't keep up with the high-protein yogurt craze and why the food industry’s supply chain is more like fast fashion than you’d think. Plus, we discuss Amazon’s 2025 delivery speed goals—and why auto parts distributors were doing it decades ago—before wrapping up with a debate on what customers actually want: speed or reliability?

Tune in for a candid look at the mechanics moving the global economy.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro 00:54 – Warehouse Demand Surge: Tariff Impact or Market Correction?04:22 – Danone’s Supply Chain Struggles: The High-Protein Boom08:22 – Amazon’s 2025 Speed Record vs. The Reality of Distribution13:53 – The Debate: Do Shoppers Want Speed or Reliability?

As consultants, our most valuable asset is time. How do we ensure we're spending it on high-value solutioning for our clients, not on clerical work?At LIDD, we are constantly innovating to improve our project delivery. That's why we've been piloting Tato, an AI "virtual colleague" purpose-built for complex IT and ERP implementations. In this episode, we sit down with Tato's CEO, Justin, to discuss our real-world experience and how this technology helps us deliver better, faster, and more reliable outcomes for our clients.We cover how this tool moves beyond simple meeting recaps (like Copilot) to help our teams aggregate data across an entire project , automating everything from documentation and risk tracking to standardized solution blueprints.This means less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what matters: your business goals.We also explore:

• How our team uses Tato as a central "recollection base"
• Improving the client experience by solving the sales-to-delivery handoff
• How we ensure accuracy with "drill-to-source" data
• The future of hyper-specialized AI agents for consulting

Learn more about LIDD's ERP & Digital Transformation services: https://lidd.com/Learn more about Tato: https://www.tato.co/enTIMESTAMPS:(00:00:14) Meet Justin, Founder and CEO of Tato (00:00:22) The Origin Story: A "Virtual Colleague" Born from Consulting Pain Points (00:01:15) What Exactly is Tato? (00:02:07) How LIDD is Piloting Tato for its Dynamics Projects (00:03:09) Early Use Cases: A Central Repo for Decisions, Scope, and Recaps (00:04:16) Overcoming Initial Skepticism of AI Tools (00:05:42) The Single Biggest Win: Taming the Documentation Beast (00:06:47) The Big Question: How is Tato Different from Copilot? (00:08:04) The Next Level: Standardizing and Automating Reports (00:09:24) Bridging the "Great Divide": Solving the Sales-to-Delivery Knowledge Transfer (00:11:37) From Project Management to Solutioning: The "Solution Blueprint" Case (00:12:53) The Roadmap for Scaling AI Across the Business (00:14:53) The Future of Tato: Moving from Data Capture to Intelligent Insights (00:17:14) Tackling AI Reliability and the Importance of "Data Lineage" (00:18:25) Why Hyper-Specialized Agents are the Future

Ever wonder how that shirt you’re planning to buy for next summer is already in production? The apparel industry runs on one of the most complex and fascinating supply chains in the world, operating on a timeline that’s a year or more ahead of the current season.

In this episode, we take a look at the world of fashion logistics. We explore the "boom and bust" cycle of seasonal inventory, where warehouses build up massive stock for months only to ship 70% of it to stores in a single push. We also dive into the unique challenges of designing a distribution center that has to handle bulky winter coats one season and small summer dresses the next. From specialized handling systems like monorails for hanging garments to the modern headache of e-commerce returns and unsold inventory, we break down how your clothes truly get from the factory to your closet. Plus, a fascinating story about how RFID technology, once declared a failure, quietly transformed retail inventory management.

Sections:

(00:13) Introduction: What's Unique About Apparel Supply Chains?(00:49) The Incredibly Long Planning Cycle of Fashion(02:42) How High Fashion Trends Trickle Down to the Mass Market(04:59) The "Boom and Bust" Cycle of Apparel Warehousing(05:25) The Three Phases of Seasonal Distribution: Buildup, Mass Push, and Replenishment(11:00) The Challenge of Volumetrics: Why Warehouses Are Designed for Winter(13:07) Handling and Storing Clothes: Garments on Hangers vs. Flat Pack(16:06) What Are Value-Added Services (VAS) in an Apparel DC?(18:15) The Modern Challenge: E-Commerce Returns and Liquidating Unsold Inventory(21:10) Anecdote: The Surprising History and Modern Use of RFID in Apparel

A disconnect between your CRM and ERP could be costing your business up to 25% in lost revenue. When sales and operations work in silos, critical information gets lost, leading to inaccurate forecasts, poor customer service, and internal chaos.

This week, Alex & Romain discuss how to bridge the gap between these two essential systems. We explore the common data challenges faced by sales teams—like lack of inventory visibility —and operational teams, who often lack insight into the sales pipeline for accurate forecasting.

The solution lies in a bi-directional integration that creates a single source of truth across your organization. We discuss how platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365 are making this easier than ever, with pre-integrated tools that provide a holistic view of your business, from the first customer interaction to final delivery.

Learn more about LIDD’s services by visiting our website: https://www.lidd.com

Timestamps:

Is AI a game-changer for supply chain management, or just the latest round of corporate hype? This week, we go behind the headlines to find out.First, we explore Starbucks' new inventory-taking AI tool. While the company talks about accuracy and protecting revenue, we argue the real motivation is far more strategic: solving the decades-long labor shortage and improving employee retention by automating the tasks baristas hate most.Then, we pivot to the healthcare supply chain, where executives are making bold claims about AI's ability to anticipate disruptions and manage risk. We cut through the noise, explaining why many of these applications are "ridiculous propositions" and examples of the hype that leads to failed investments.Next, we break down the end of the $800 de minimis rule and the $240 million hit Lululemon is expecting to its gross margin. We explain what this policy is, how it was used, and the irony behind the US government’s current stance given its position during USMCA negotiations.Finally, we look at the massive disruption caused by a recent hack at Jaguar Land Rover, which brought its entire network of orders, deliveries, and sales to a halt. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable finely tuned, "just-in-time" global supply chains are to IT security failures.

Timestamps:

Produced & edited by: Jeremy RotenbergHosted by: Charles Fallon & David Beaudet

Quand on pense à un hôpital, on imagine les médecins, les infirmières et l'effervescence des unités de soins. Pourtant, derrière chaque patient qui reçoit les bons soins au bon moment se cache une danse complexe de matériel, de transport et d'information : la logistique de la santé. C'est le moteur invisible qui permet à un hôpital non seulement de fonctionner, mais aussi d'exceller.Lors d'un récent épisode de notre balado, nous avons eu la chance de nous entretenir avec Martine Legault, directrice logistique du CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Ouest, pour explorer cet univers fascinant. Ce que nous avons découvert, c'est que les principes de la chaîne d'approvisionnement prennent une dimension critique lorsque des vies humaines sont en jeu.

(00:00) Introduction : La logistique du CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Ouest(00:37) L'étendue cachée de la logistique hospitalière(02:11) Les différences entre la logistique industrielle et celle de la santé(03:41) Comment mesure-t-on la complexité d'un entrepôt vs un hôpital?(06:03) L'impact direct de la logistique sur la qualité des soins aux patients(07:43) Étude de cas : Le système de double casier (Kanban) à l'hôpital(10:12) Projets innovants : Chef Jasper, la cuisine robotisée(11:45) Projets innovants : La civière robotisée pour le transport des usagers(12:42) Pourquoi automatiser? Qualité des soins et attraction des talents(13:46) Conclusion et remerciements

In this episode, we peel back the layers on a topic that most people never think about: how bananas get from the farm to our tables.

(00:01:42) The Banana Ripening Process

(00:03:08) A Tale of Two Fruits

(00:12:10) Banana Trivia

(00:13:30) Home Hacks

Visit our site: LIDD.com

Our team just got back from the ReFED, Food Banks Canada, and Feed Ontario conferences, and we’re excited to share what we learned about fighting food waste.In this episode, we dive into the most important conversations happening in food loss and supply chain sustainability today. We cover the power of collaboration between food producers and food banks , the importance of getting ahead of new policies , and why smart logistics are a game-changer for sharing resources effectively. Join our conversation to hear actionable ideas and learn how we can work together to build a more sustainable food future.(00:00) Introduction(00:27) Provincial vs. National: Differing Views on Food Security(00:42) Comparing Conferences: The Focus of Feed Ontario vs. Food Banks Canada(04:13) A Global Movement: International Perspectives on Food Waste(05:14) A Multi-Scalar Problem: From Your Fridge to Global Policy(09:04) Breaking Down Silos: The Value of Industry Conferences(11:59) Key Takeaways & What Your Business Can Do Now(15:16) How LIDD Can Help

Go behind the headlines with Charles & David! This week, Ferrero Acquires Kellogs, Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy, Amazon Deploys It's 1 Millionth Robot, and Say Goodbye to De Minimis.

How do we move from awareness to action on food waste?Our non-profit consulting team joined leaders at the recent ReFED, Food Banks Canada, and Feed Ontario conferences to find out. Join Anna Gleason, Maria El Dahdah, and Georgina Morris as they sit down to share their biggest takeaways on the latest food waste solutions, from policy incentives and data-driven tech to the operational challenges facing food banks on the front lines.#FoodWaste #Sustainability #Solutions #FoodInsecurity #foodbanks

During the recent Supply Chain Canada 2025 National Conference in Alberta, Melanie Charles and Stephan Lauzon were inspired to explore a fundamental question: What is supply chain, and how do we best understand the various roles that contribute to this essential sector?

On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, join Melanie & Stephan as they discuss key takeaways from the conference and share their insights on this topic ⬇️

Watch: https://youtu.be/3zOjT59QyW0

Read: https://lidd.com/what-is-supply-chain-12-disciplines/

Food waste is one of the most pressing challenges in the modern supply chain. In the United States, no organization has been more instrumental in quantifying this issue and uniting stakeholders than ReFed. As the nation's leading authority on food waste, ReFed provides the data and insights that guide government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors toward meaningful action.

That’s why LIDD is thrilled to announce that in 2025, we have embarked on a sprawling research project with ReFed. Following a successful research collaboration in 2024, this new initiative is designed to tackle one of the biggest questions in the industry: How much food is lost within the manufacturing and distribution sectors, why is it lost, and what can we do about it? Our goal is to update the foundational data in ReFed's acclaimed Food Waste Monitor and, in the process, develop a robust framework of food waste solutions for the industry.

Watch: https://ow.ly/iTJQ50WcCeSListen: https://ow.ly/wCVZ50WcCeT Read: https://ow.ly/TjKx50WcCeU

Low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms are revolutionizing how businesses operate. Tools like Microsoft Power Apps give employees the power to create their own applications and automations with intuitive, visual interfaces, no developer required. The promise is immense: empower your team to solve their own challenges, foster agility, and drive innovation from the ground up.

But this newfound power comes with a hidden risk. While it’s tempting to hand out licenses and let your teams run free, a lack of oversight can lead to chaos. We’re seeing a new challenge emerge: as departments independently build their own solutions, IT is often left disconnected, and the business loses a cohesive technology strategy. This is where a strong low-code/no-code governance framework becomes not just important, but essential.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RGcJdRlz70

Read: https://lidd.com/low-code-no-code-governance/

The rise of automation in warehouses and distribution centers often sparks a significant concern: automation job displacement. It’s a topic that can create anxiety among the workforce and uncertainty for businesses. However, as supply chain professionals, we see a more nuanced picture – one where automation leads not just to change, but to evolution and opportunity. The key lies in how businesses approach and manage this technological shift.

The conversation around automation often focuses on the “before”: the design, the implementation, the justification based on labor and space savings, or throughput improvements. But what about the “after”? What becomes of your most valuable asset – your human capital – when they find themselves working alongside sophisticated automated systems?

Produced & Edited by Jeremy Rotenberg

On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, Charles Fallon sits down with Rob Renaud, SIOR of ENCOR Advisors to discuss the trends impacting the industrial real estate market in North America. Tune in for expert analysis into some key subjects:➰ The current "state of flux" in the market📫 The state of ecommerce post-pandemic 🏢 The present oversupply of buildings and what it means for tenants❄️ A look into the high-demand, yet undersupplied, cold storage sectorWatch: https://ow.ly/Ws3750VXZw3Listen: https://ow.ly/qngy50VXZw1Read: https://ow.ly/cpj250VXZw2

While the logistics world races toward robots, the real revolution in warehouse efficiency is happening quietly—with smarter task orchestration, not more automation.

On this episode of It’s The End of The Week, Jean-Martin Roux (JM), president of Onomatic, and Charles Fallon, discussed a critical yet eye-opening truth about modern warehouse operations: automation isn’t just about robots. In fact, some of the biggest leaps in warehouse efficiency today are happening without them.

In an era of growing global volatility, understanding and mitigating supply chain risk is more crucial than ever. In this episode of It’s The End of The Week, Jeff Hamilton and Steve Weyer reunited for their third recording to discuss the rising challenges companies face in managing international logistics, sourcing, and trade amid unpredictable macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts.

The episode tackled the current state of global supply chains, drawing on recent client engagements, particularly a private equity project evaluating the risk profile of a highly time-sensitive, perishable product imported from South America to the U.S.

What sounds like the future of logistics—flawless robots, lightning-fast fulfillment, and precision at scale—often begins in confusion, missed steps, and last-minute scrambles. In this episode of It’s The End of The Week, Marc and Charles—two seasoned voices in the automation space—pull back the curtain on a major automation project’s final act: the critical, often overlooked phase of User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

While the industry loves to talk about robots and AI-powered logistics, this episode centered on something far more foundational—how to avoid a $100 million operational headache by doing one thing right: planning and executing UAT properly.

Watch: https://ow.ly/QT1v50VHUl0Listen: https://ow.ly/sPBp50VHUl1Read: https://ow.ly/FOHf50VHUl2

In the often-unseen world of warehouses and supply chain logistics, headlines don’t typically scream for attention. But a recent industry update from Supply Chain 24/7 caught the eye—and raised eyebrows—with a quietly sobering truth: cold storage construction starts are falling. Behind the headline lies a significant story of overbuilding, recalibration, and a slow-but-steady path back to normalcy in the industrial real estate market.

On this episode of It’s The End Of The Week, Charles Fallon and David Beaudet went behind the headlines and unpacked what the numbers—and the mood—really mean for the future of industrial real estate.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_XluBA0LX0

Read: https://lidd.com/industrial-real-estate-boom/

Building a new distribution center (DC) or implementing a new system involves numerous steps, each requiring careful attention. These phases, whether physical or digital, follow a similar process and require thoughtful planning, testing, and collaboration. On the latest episode of It’s The End of The Week, Raphael Leite-Corthesy and Mathieu Galipeau break down the critical stages involved in both the physical and digital implementations, drawing insights from both system and facility considerations.

L'automatisation devient rapidement une nécessité pour les entreprises qui souhaitent rester compétitives dans un monde de plus en plus axé sur la technologie. Alors que l'intelligence artificielle (IA) vole souvent la vedette dans les discussions sur l'innovation, c'est l'automatisation - en particulier la robotisation des tâches - qui mérite une attention particulière, notamment dans la gestion des opérations et la stratégie d'entreprise. Face aux pressions croissantes liées à l'intensification des opérations et à l'amélioration de l'efficacité, les entreprises doivent s'interroger : devons-nous automatiser ? Et plus important encore, quand devrions-nous commencer le processus ? Cette semaine, Raphaël Leite-Corthésy et David Beaudet se sont réunis pour parler de l'automatisation et de son impact sur l'industrie de la chaîne d'approvisionnement.Contactez-nous !

Businesses, especially those in manufacturing, distribution, and retail, are increasingly dependent on technology to drive efficiency and profitability. However, many of these businesses struggle with integrating the various systems they use to run their operations smoothly. This is where a digital transformation roadmap becomes a vital tool.

Simon Dubuc, Director of LIDD’s Digital Transformation practice, joined LIDD President Charles Fallon to talk about why digital transformation is crucial for businesses and how it can be implemented effectively.

Read more: https://lidd.com/planning-a-digital-transformation-roadmap/

The world of international trade has been in a constant state of flux, especially in recent weeks. The onset of new tariffs, shifting regulations, and evolving trade agreements have left businesses grappling with uncertainty. In this environment, understanding every facet of your supply chain is more crucial than ever. Steve Weyer, President of GSCC Inc., joined Jeff Hamilton on the podcast to discuss the latest developments and provide insight into what companies can do to navigate these challenges.Watch: https://youtu.be/DNfpDTuGVGE

Read: LIDD.com/insights

Check out our other episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@LIDDConsultants

Join Charles & David as they discuss the massive increases in energy consumption brought forth by AI - and whether the world is ready to build the infrastructure required to match demand. Tune in for a discussion on DeepSeek AI, Project Stargate, Three Mile Island, and much more! Watch: https://youtu.be/cMRagQgtdgc?si=AgmnATeEOBclIrV7

Read: LIDD.com/insights

In this week’s podcast, Emilio Colangelo, a seasoned planning expert, and Vivi Tran Lynch, a strategy and operations expert, share valuable insights on how retailers can improve their supply chain planning, particularly during peak seasons like Black Friday, Cyber Week, and Singles Day. As these events approach, retailers often find themselves facing a range of challenges around inventory management, demand fluctuations, and agility in decision-making. They discuss how advanced technologies can empower organizations to respond quickly and effectively when things don’t go as planned.

Watch: https://ow.ly/q7G550UUiaZ Read: https://ow.ly/Ng3A50UUib0 Listen: https://ow.ly/yIjp50UUib2

This week, Charlie Baker, Senior Operations Analyst at Stonewall Kitchen, shared his wealth of knowledge gained over 23 years with the company with LIDD President Charles Fallon. As Stonewall Kitchen has evolved from a small, local operation into a leading specialty food manufacturer, Charlie has witnessed and contributed to its dynamic growth. His deep understanding of supply chain management, operational efficiency, and seasonal planning offers valuable insights for anyone involved in business operations.

Earlier this week, Donald Trump was inaugurated into the office of the President of the United States. With plans to implement sweeping changes to US policy on trade with Canada and Mexico, the new administration could shake up our understanding of the status quo. That's why this week, Jeff Hamilton sits down with Steve Weyer, a global policy and trade consultant, to unpack and explain the trade concepts and policies that you need to look out for. #Podcast #Trade #GlobalTrade #Policy #Politics #USPolitics #SupplyChain

Are you ready for 2025 peak season? Get started early with help from Vivi and Jeff in this latest episode of the podcast featuring actionable insights for your business

📈 Analyze last peak season's performance

📦 Optimize your picking & packing processes

🤖 Consider automation if your business is struggling with labor availability and productivity

💲Don't forget about the potential of incoming tariffs! Read more: https://lidd.com/peak-season-planning-podcast/

The new year brings new challenges, especially in the rapidly changing economic environment of North America. In our kickoff podcast of 2025, Charles Fallon, David Beaudet, and Stephan Lauzon discuss their thoughts and predictions for some key questions in the minds of business leaders: 💰 How can businesses prepare for the proposed tariffs associated with the incoming Trump administration in the U.S.? 📈With supply chain technology becoming increasingly complex, how can businesses ensure their data is clean and usable enough to power these systems effectively? 🤖 How quickly is automation technology advancing, and what sort of productivity gains can businesses expect with the rapidly improving capabilities of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and AS/RS machines.

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Charles & David explore the labor strike's impact on the North American supply chain and the dire future of the crown corporation.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDh0IosEzaw&t=1s

Check us out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lidd-consultants

This year, you might have noticed a trend: livestreams and on-demand video with shopping features built right into the viewing experience. You can see it everywhere from TikTok to the Victoria Secret fashion show. This new form of ecommerce creates frictionless purchasing opportunities for customers, but how does it really work for the businesses doing the selling?

In this episode, Nicola and Mathieu take over the podcast to explain exactly how it works. Drawing on their respective expertise in marketing and supply chain technology to explain how a product goes from your screen, to your doorstep.

With the right approach, the process of updating your #ERP to a new version can be a breeze.

On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week!, Charles Fallon is joined by Zoe Mougios, Project Manager in LIDD's Microsoft Dynamics practice, to discuss best practices for keeping Business Central up to date. Tune in for a discussion on the distinctions between minor & major updates, the timelines they are rolled out, and how you can prepare to ensure your Business Central instance does everything you need it to do on day 1 of the new update.

La distribución del comercio electrónico es el proceso de entrega de bienes y servicios a los clientes que los han pedido en línea. Es un proceso complejo en el que intervienen muchos factores diferentes, desde el tipo de bienes que se envían hasta las expectativas del cliente. Esta publicación analizará algunos de los factores más importantes a tener en cuenta a la hora de crear un sistema de distribución de comercio electrónico o ecommerce, basándose en una entrevista en podcast con dos expertos en la materia.

Watch: YouTube.com/LIDDConsultants

Listen: Anywhere you get your podcasts.

¿Quiere mantenerse a la vanguardia en el cambiante mundo de la distribución del comercio electrónico? Suscríbase a nuestro boletín para conocer las últimas novedades y tendencias del sector, o póngase en contacto con nosotros directamente en contact@lidd.com.

The Parti Quebecois (PQ) has proposed a new strategy to address the province's labor shortage: robots. This is a departure from the PQ's traditional pro-worker stance, and it has been met with criticism from some quarters. However, the PQ argues that automation is the only way to address the labor shortage in the long term.

Charles & David sit down to discuss whether they think these subsidies will work, as well as how this new policy proposal is an indicator of the broader trends against immigration in North America.

Additional Resources

• Parti Quebecois to unveil plan to reduce immigration, focus on demographics
• Is automation the answer to labor shortages?
• The impact of automation on jobs

What is interoperability? How does it work? These are questions we get all the time - and with the growing number of software ecosystems leveraging interoperability, now is the best time to learn about the benefits it can provide for your operation.

On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, Charles Fallon sits down to talk with Mathieu Galipeau to discuss all things interoperability.

This week, we're back with another Behind the Headlines episode hosted by David Beaudet & Stephan Lauzon exploring two exciting retail topics as we head into Q4 2024.

🤖 First up: Retailers are looking to automate their operations, but they better get the ball rolling quickly. With vendors quickly filling up with capacity, some businesses may have a hard time getting an automated operation live in time for 2025 or even 2026 peak season. Start early!

🧰 Next up: Home Depot is planning to send executives into stores to work a shift for one day each year, to get them up to speed about how the retail operation is run from the ground.

Further reading:

• Peak Season Planning: Why You Need to Start Now
• How Retailers Are Staffing Up for the 2024 Holiday Season
• Walmart Automates 25- and 35-Year-Old Facilities to Double Productivity
• Home Depot Orders Corporate Staff to Take 8-Hour Retail Shifts

Remember the days when grocery stores battled for the lowest prices on national brands? Those days are fading fast. As dollar stores continue to expand and offer rock-bottom prices on familiar products, grocery stores are adopting a new strategy: private labels.

This shift isn't just about offering cheaper alternatives. It's about curation, differentiation, and locking in customer loyalty. By developing unique private label products that can't be found elsewhere, grocery stores are creating a distinct identity and drawing consumers away from the allure of dollar store deals.

Further Resources:

• 9 Grocery Retail Trends in 2024 | Oracle Canada
• Grocery Store Technology Trends - KPS Global®
• The state of grocery in North America 2023 - McKinsey & Company