Inventory

Big-box retailers are dumping excess inventory because of lower sales. Liquidators, who resell that merchandise, are thriving.

Target, Walmart and others have struggled to keep up with changes in consumer buying and have had to predict demand further in advance.

"Plus-size women make up more than half the market, and yet, plus-size clothes only make up 19% of all apparel on the market," says Elizabeth Segran, senior staff writer at Fast Company.

China’s COVID-19 lockdowns, which shut down much of the country’s manufacturing and exports, are partly to blame.

Wholesale inventories were up in April. But now, some stores have too much inventory while others struggle to get the inventory they need.

There are hints that demand is softening.

As inflation hits and consumers abandon pandemic spending habits, Target and others have the wrong kind of stuff on their hands.

Business is up at a North Carolina shop, but managing inventory and costs are headaches.

Big stores like Walmart and Target didn't foresee consumers pivoting away from shopping and toward going out.

Some businesses are switching products, while others try to build up and promote products that are available.