Supply Chain Now

Why Your Excess Inventory Is Costing You Millions and How to Fix It

The podcast episode features Stephanie Benedetto, CEO and co‑founder of Alokia, discussing how excess inventory wastes billions and how her circular‑fashion platform can unlock that value. Benedetto cites a $2 trillion annual economic loss tied to idle stock and explains that despite the proliferation of AI, ERP and SaaS tools, many supply‑chain decisions remain rooted in antiquated, pen‑and‑paper ordering. She argues that fragmented data and lack of real‑time visibility keep inventory stuck in warehouses. She draws on her family’s century‑old tradition of repurposing fabrics—from her great‑grandfather’s hand‑sewn garments in 1896 to her grandfather’s post‑war surplus trade—to illustrate that circular thinking is not new. A memorable anecdote is her 60‑second pitch that won over Ashton Kutcher and celebrity investors, underscoring the power of concise storytelling. The conversation highlights that technology platforms like Alokia can provide end‑to‑end traceability, match surplus goods with buyers, and quantify both environmental and financial returns. For retailers and manufacturers, adopting such solutions turns waste into revenue, aligns profit with purpose, and mitigates risk in volatile markets.