Ep. 09: Holiday Shipping Season Expectations with Rutgers Business School's Dr. Tony Bell and OD's Steve Hartsell

Customer expectations are growing as economic stress factors remain, giving rise to an uncertain holiday season.   Retailers face their peak period during this season of shopping and shipping. This year appears to be shaping up like few others. Inflation remains a concern, interest rates continue to rise, and retailers are worried about weakened spending. So, where do things stand now? Do shippers expect this season to be naughty or nice?   In this episode, hear from the Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers Business School, Dr. Tony Bell. Dr. Bell has 30 years of experience in supply chain operations and management with Johnson & Johnson, the Coca-Cola company, Whirlpool, and Maersk. And Old Dominion's Senior VP of Sales, Steve Hartsell. Steve has over 20 years of experience and has held multiple positions, including Director of OD Expedited and Service Center Manager.   Key Takeaways:   What can we expect for the holiday shopping season, based on the fall shipping season? [1:15]   Have post-COVID-19 supply-chain issues been solved? [3:21]   Are manufacturers and retailers managing their inventories sufficiently despite the multiple supply chain risks? [5:27]   How can risk-mitigation strategies reduce supply chain challenges? [8:35]   What can retailers do to prepare for this holiday season? [10:08]   How are labor shortages impacting the overall supply chain? [10:59]   Resources: OD Outlook ODFL.com Cargo Shorts podcast