Consumer Demand Uncertainty and Inventory Planning

Is your supply chain ready for the holidays? Today, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa break down the biggest challenges shaping global supply networks this season — from tariff uncertainty and inflationary pressures to shifting consumer expectations and the ongoing semiconductor shortage. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OMP!

Scott and Karin are joined by Chris Butler, CEO of National Tree Company, to explore how consumer behavior continues to evolve, including the accelerating move toward online shopping and the rising demand for fast, reliable delivery during peak holiday periods.

Together, they discuss:

• The ripple effects of tariffs and inflation on pricing, availability, and inventory management
• How the semiconductor crisis is reshaping automotive supply chains worldwide
• The growing role of artificial intelligence in improving supply chain agility and decision-making
• Strategies for maintaining resilience and responsiveness in a volatile market

Listen in as we unpack what’s driving today’s supply chain challenges — and how leaders can stay ahead of the curve this holiday season and beyond.

Additional Links & Resources:

• With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-9Nov2025 
• OMP: https://omp.com/
• U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/scn-us-bank 
• Manifest 2026: https://bit.ly/ManifestSCN
• NAM 3Q Survey: https://bit.ly/NAMsurvey3Q 
• OMP eBook: Making AI Work for You: From Explainable to Agentic: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pgvWp0
• National Tree Company:https://shop.nationaltree.com/
• Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbutler101/
• Gartner Survey Shows 49% of Organizations Lack Confidence in Future Manufacturing Strategy: https://gtnr.it/4hUQfQr 
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
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• WEBINAR- Inside Outdoor Cap’s Warehouse: How Voice Picking Elevated Daily Operations: https://bit.ly/49m4D1z
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Strength: Strategies that Deliver in any Economy: https://bit.ly/4hqTnTH

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-insights-holiday-consumer-behavior-1506