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

Why It Matters

By converting dormant inventory into sellable assets, firms can capture a slice of the $2 trillion loss, boost margins, and meet growing ESG expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Excess inventory costs $2 trillion annually worldwide to businesses
• Legacy waste practices persist despite modern AI and data tools
• Sustainable circular models can turn idle stock into profit
• Family heritage of repurposing informs Alokia’s tech solution
• Technology platforms enable real‑time inventory visibility and resale

Summary

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.

Original Description

What if your “waste” is actually one of your biggest profit opportunities?

In this episode of Logistics With Purpose®️, we sit down with Stephanie Benedetto, CEO and co-founder of Alokia, to uncover the massive hidden problem inside global supply chains—and how companies can turn excess inventory into measurable profit and impact.

Right now, businesses are sitting on an estimated $2 trillion in excess inventory—costing them money in storage, labor, and lost opportunity. But what if that “waste” could be reused, resold, or repurposed at scale?

Stephanie shares how leading brands are using AI, data, and smarter allocation strategies to:

Reduce excess inventory

Increase supply chain efficiency

Cut costs and unlock new revenue

Lower environmental impact without sacrificing growth

Whether you're in logistics, operations, procurement, or leadership, this conversation will change how you think about waste, efficiency, and opportunity in your business.

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebenedetto/

Learn more about Aloqia: https://www.aloqia.com/

Learn more about Logistics with Purpose®️: https://supplychainnow.com/program/logistics-with-purpose

Learn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/

Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listen

This episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/why-your-excess-inventory-costing-millions-how-fix-lwp154