To try to avoid disappointing consumers, David’s Bridal Inc. had long housed an ample supply of inventory in its two Pennsylvania distribution centers, which are divided by product type. But the retailer didn’t tap into its network of roughly 300 stores for online orders,

While the bridal retailer’s stores are best at selling, and its distribution centers are best at fulfillment, David’s Bridal realized it needed to create a single pool of inventory to serve the shopper, says Diane Garforth, the retailer’s senior director, supply chain systems and operations.

That would allow the stores and distribution centers to work in harmony to fulfill online orders and replenish store inventory. In doing so, it would help the retailer…

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