Inventory

The National Retail Federation says theft, fraud and poor inventory management led to $95 billion in losses last year.

Earlier in the pandemic, stores grappled with shortages. But as supply chains bulked up, they now have the opposite problem. And consumers' frequently shifting demands aren't helping.

Retailers are trying to get rid of excess inventory by marking down certain products. That's likely to lure shoppers.

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.