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Retail Strategies & Supplier Insights
Discover the strategies and insights you need to thrive in the competitive retail landscape. Retail Strategies & Supplier Insights delivers expert advice, actionable tips, and the latest industry trends tailored specifically for retail suppliers. Whether you’re looking to boost sales, recover profits, or navigate retailer relationships, our blog is your go-to resource for success.


Sharpen Your Pencils—August 1 Is Coming
Will Your Retail Margins Survive the Tariff Hike?
There’s a moment every summer when back-to-school season starts to sneak in. You see it in the aisle resets, the clearance bins, and the sudden run on #2 pencils. For suppliers, this
August brings a different kind of “back to school” vibe—except the stakes are your bottom line.

Jon Allen
Jul 83 min read


Happy Fourth of July from Woodridge Retail Group
Today, we celebrate the spirit of independence, the courage of those who came before us, and the freedom that allows us to dream, build,...

Jon Allen
Jul 41 min read


The Deduction You Didn’t See Coming—Because It Hit Post-Audit
There’s nothing quite like the surprise of a post-audit deduction. You close the books thinking everything’s in order… and six months...

Jon Allen
Jul 31 min read


Shrink Isn’t Just in the Store—It’s in Your Ledger
We hear a lot about shrinkage in retail—shoplifting, organized theft, and inventory errors. But here’s something not enough suppliers...

Jon Allen
Jul 11 min read


When DIY Deduction Disputes Backfire: Why Experience Matters More Than Automation
Automated deduction tools are fast, convenient, and a great place to start.But here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: They can’t win back the big dollars.
Why? Because software doesn’t negotiate. It doesn’t write compelling disputes. And it doesn’t know when to push back and escalate with nuance that only experience brings.

Jon Allen
Jun 261 min read


Why You’re Getting Paid Less Than You Think: The Hidden Cost of Unrecovered Retail Deductions
You shipped $1.2 million in product last quarter. So why does your bank account say $1.06 million? The answer is hiding in your...

Jon Allen
Jun 231 min read


Retailer Policy Changes Are Costing You—But You Won’t Hear It from Them
Retailers don’t send a warning. They just change the rules. Whether it’s a new barcode placement policy, a revised ASN transmission...

Jon Allen
Jun 191 min read


Why Emerging Brands Are Getting Hit Hardest by Retail Chargebacks
You got on the shelf. That was the hard part, right? Not quite. For many small and emerging suppliers, getting in is only the beginning....

Jon Allen
Jun 181 min read


From Retail Deduction Disaster to Recovery Win: 3 True-to-Life Scenarios Suppliers Can Learn From
Retail deductions feel like death by paper cuts. You rarely see them coming, and they almost never make sense on the surface. But they...

Jon Allen
Jun 101 min read


Your Product Photos Might Be Costing You the Shelf
We get it. You're focused on product quality, pricing strategy, and shipping logistics. But here’s a truth too many brands learn too...

Jon Allen
Jun 61 min read


Sam’s Club’s New Deduction Rules Are a Margin Killer—Here’s How to Fight Back
Sam’s Club is tightening its grip on supplier compliance, and the financial impact is escalating fast. First came the Supplier Item Data Excellence (SIDE) program, charging steep penalties for even minor item data discrepancies. Beginning May 27, Sam’s Club will automatically deduct all post-audit claims under $100,000, without conducting prior research.

Jon Allen
May 292 min read


What AI Can’t Catch: The Case for Expert-Led Deduction Recovery
Let’s get this out of the way: We love automation. AI is transforming the finance stack, no doubt. It can flag duplicates, match...

Jon Allen
May 292 min read


What a Great Food Broker Really Does
Most retail brands know they need a food broker to grow, but few understand what a great one actually does. It's not just about getting...

Jon Allen
May 271 min read


This Memorial Day, We Remember the Brave
Today, we pause to honor the men and women who gave everything in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering...

Jon Allen
May 241 min read


When Stores Close: What Rite Aid’s Bankruptcy and CVS’s 270 Store Shutdowns Mean for Suppliers
The news keeps coming—and it’s not good. Rite Aid is navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy. CVS just confirmed plans to shutter 270 stores....

Jon Allen
May 193 min read


Your Top-Selling SKU Is Leaking Money—Here’s Why
Let’s talk about the golden child in your product lineup—the top-selling SKU. You know the one. It moves fast, racks up impressive POS numbers, and is the darling of every buyer presentation.
But behind the scenes? It may be bleeding you dry.

Jon Allen
May 163 min read


A 2025 Supplier’s Survival Guide: Thriving in a 30/10 Tariff World
Your action plan for making margin moves when the rules keep changing. Let’s state the facts: 🔺 U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports are...

Jon Allen
May 152 min read


The False Choice: China vs. Margin—Or Is It Both?
China was the go-to manufacturing hub for years: affordable, fast, and scalable. But now, with U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports stuck at 30%, suppliers are staring down a tricky question:

Jon Allen
May 132 min read


When the Government Raises Tariffs, Retailers Raise Expectations
And why ignoring this second hit could cost you more than the tariffs themselves. In today’s retail landscape, every headline feels like...

Jon Allen
May 63 min read


Tariff Tag-Teams: Why Deductions Are the Hidden Hit to Your Bottom Line
When tariffs go up, most suppliers see it coming. You prep for cost increases, update your pricing models, and maybe even renegotiate...

Jon Allen
May 11 min read
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