Y ankee Candle, the world’s largest manufacturer of premium candles, is always looking to increase productivity. With more than 30,000 locations in 49 countries, the retailer/wholesaler has been in business for more than 40 years. Company-wide sales increased 7.1 percent last year to $785.8 million; retail sales increased 5.4 percent to $449.2 million, and wholesale sales increased 1.2 percent to $235.2 million. Yankee Candle has been working with Manhattan Associates since 1998, beginning with the warehouse management system. As the chain grew, so did its distribution needs. “We quickly learned that manufacturing really wasn’t a sweet spot,” says Kim Dacyczyn, director of business systems analytics for Yankee Candle. “We really lost a lot of flexibility within our WMS because of the number of modifications we ...
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Like Food Trucks for Shopping—11 Mobile Stores to Visit The phrase “truck shop” does not conjure images of sartorial grandeur. But call it the next iteration of the food cart phenomenon, and we bet you’re intrigued. These entrepreneurs are taking the concept of mobile shopping literally by souping up old buses, trailers, and trucks and using them to peddle goods like records, magazines, vintage clothing, and housewares. Here are a few of the funkiest caravans around. Continue reading →
