That shift is powerful. But it’s also putting new pressure on the retail supply chain. 

What is social commerce?

Social commerce refers to the direct buying and selling of products through social media platforms. It blends social interaction with online shopping, giving consumers a seamless experience from product discovery to purchase—all in one place. 

And while it’s creating massive opportunities for retailers, it also introduces complexity behind the scenes. 

Why social commerce creates supply chain pressure

Social commerce demands speed, accuracy and a unified customer experience across every channel. Here are just a few of the challenges that come with it: 

• Disconnected systems can lead to poor customer experiences. Without strong integration between your sales platforms and back-end systems, it’s easy for orders to fall through the cracks. 

• Inventory must be unified and real-time. If customers see a product is available, it needs to be, no matter where they’re shopping. 

• Timely fulfillment is non-negotiable. Social commerce is driven by impulse purchases. If delivery is slow or inconsistent, that impulse turns into disappointment. 

• You need partners you can count on. Whether you work with 3PLs, manufacturers or suppliers, your trading partners must be aligned and integrated to help you move at the pace your customers expect. 

How SPS Commerce can support your growth

At SPS Commerce, we take the complexity out of modern retail. Our full-service EDI and system integration solutions connect your systems, synchronize inventory and automate communication with trading partners. 

More than 50,000 subscribing customers across the globe rely on us to create streamlined, scalable supply chains. Whether you’re a growing brand or a large retailer, you can count on SPS to help you deliver the right product, to the right place, at the right time. 

Social commerce isn’t slowing down. With the right technology and supply chain strategy, you won’t just keep up, you’ll stay ahead. 

In addition to this top ranking, SPS Commerce also secured a place in the Top 100 Best Software Products overall. This recognition means so much to us because these awards are based entirely on feedback from the people who matter most—our customers. Your trust, reviews and partnership made this possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Empowering businesses through technology

2024 was a stand-out year for SPS Commerce. We’ve been working hard to make supply chain connections even easier, helping businesses like yours streamline operations, automate processes and eliminate the headaches of manual work. From seamless integrations to full-service support, we’re committed to delivering innovative solutions that help businesses scale, automate and adapt—and it’s amazing to see that recognized.

What our customers are saying

Hearing how our solutions make a difference is what keeps us going. Here’s what SPS Commerce users had to say on G2:

• “It is so easy to navigate through the system and find what you need. Easy to process invoices for payment, there has never been an issue with any invoices that we have processed through this system. The same goes for any orders we receive; they are easily accessible through the dashboard. It takes no longer than a couple of minutes to complete the tasks of processing, accepting or finding anything on here. Good job on creating such a helpful tool. Plus, customer support is exceptional!” – Laura G.
• “I love the fact that their reach is so vast and they are able to quickly make a connection to any customer we have come up. Making any new connections is always quick and easy to get set up. They are always quick to respond to any questions or concerns that our team may have.” – Derek I.
• I am not the most tech-savvy human, and the team over at SPS does a great job at breaking down the system for me to use and understand what is going on. I really like the ease of use when it comes to file transfer.” – Braxton L.
• SPS makes it easy to pass order information back and forth frequently. With its integration into NetSuite, we’ve been able to really automate much of the order process and make communication seamless with our customers.” – Kasia W.

These reviews are why we do what we do!

Looking ahead

As we celebrate this achievement, we’re not slowing down. SPS Commerce will continue to innovate, evolve and expand our capabilities to meet the needs of our customers. Whether you’ve been with us for years or just started, we appreciate your trust and collaboration. Your success is our success, and we can’t wait to keep delivering solutions that help you grow.

Learn more about what makes SPS Commerce a G2 leader.

So, how can retailers meet rising consumer demands? One effective approach is to create greater alignment with suppliers. We’ve identified four strategies to boost brand loyalty through supplier partnerships.

1. Align customer experience across channels

Today’s customers demand consistent experiences whether they shop online, in-store or through a combination of channels. Industry studies indicate that 73% of consumers purchase items online that they previously only bought in-store, blurring the line between digital and physical retail.

Achieving omnichannel consistency requires retailers and suppliers to work in tandem. By synchronizing product availability across channels, unifying product data and optimizing fulfillment, retailers and suppliers can deliver the frictionless experience customers crave.

2. Predict and prevent stockouts

Nothing frustrates customers more than encountering empty shelves or “out of stock” notifications. According to McKinsey, 70 to 80% of consumers will switch brands or retailers if they encounter stockouts. These inventory gaps often stem from phantom inventory (when systems show products as available, but they’re missing), order mismanagement (errors in processing or fulfilling orders) or delayed shipments to stores or consumers.

Retailers can prevent shortages by partnering with suppliers to share updates on orders and shipments. This collaboration should focus on:

• Enhancing visibility into shipments to distribution centers, stores and customers.
• Establishing clear delivery timelines and performance metrics.
• Joint forecasting to ensure adequate stock levels.
• Developing contingency plans for potential delays or supply chain disruptions.

3. Foster transparency and accountability

Open communication and transparency form the cornerstone of successful retailer-supplier partnerships. By sharing accurate, real-time data on inventory levels, lead times and order fulfillment, both parties can preempt misunderstandings and mitigate costly delays.

Clear accountability measures, such as performance scorecards, empower retailers and suppliers to track progress collaboratively, leading to faster issue resolution and improved performance. When retailers and suppliers operate with openness and mutual trust, they create a more resilient supply chain that strengthens brand loyalty.

Retailers need tools that provide a clear view of what’s happening across the supply chain. These solutions foster better alignment both internally and with suppliers. With enhanced visibility, retailers can:

• Anticipate problems before they occur.
• Minimize disruptions.
• Maximize operational efficiency.
• Optimize costs.
• Enhance customer experience.

4. Meet customers’ sustainability demands

Modern consumers vote with their wallets. Nearly 6 in 10 consumers are willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce their environmental impact, according to the National Retail Federation.

Major retailers are taking note. For example, Walmart’s Project Gigaton initiative aims to reduce or avoid one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from the global value chain by 2030.

Retailers who partner with sustainability-focused suppliers and transparently share these practices build trust with increasingly conscious consumers. This requires retailers and suppliers to share detailed sustainability data, such as carbon emissions and materials sourcing. By collecting and validating supplier information, retailers can substantiate their sustainability claims and enhance credibility with environmentally conscious consumers.

Build lasting brand loyalty

Loyal customers are the heart of any thriving retail business. They’re repeat buyers, bigger spenders and brand advocates. When you invest in stronger supplier relationships, you’re also investing in customer loyalty. It’s a powerful way to build lasting customer connections.

Ready to transform supplier relationships into a brand loyalty advantage? Explore solutions on our website or get personalized insights from our team.