Ed Tonkon

Ed Tonkon

President, Retail Solutions

Zebra Technologies


Ed Tonkon is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in retail and business-to-business outsourcing, emphasizing logistics. He served as CEO of Hart Systems, LLC, acquired by Zebra in 2013, and led Noble Logistics, a key player in time-critical logistics for automotive parts. From 1999 to 2005, Ed was CEO and Board member of WIS International, a major inventory management firm with over 14,000 employees. His career includes roles as President of Huffy Service First, and management positions at Southland Corporation and Chief Auto Parts. Ed has spoken at major conferences on inventory management and logistics. He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and contributes to several advisory boards, including the McCombs School of Business. Ed also serves on the RILA Asset Protection Leaders Council and Horizons Committee, showcasing his commitment to industry leadership and innovation.

Speaking in:

Wednesday Jun 25

1:30pm - 2:00pm

Exhibitor Big Ideas Stage

Five Below’s Self-Scan Success: Transforming Inventory Management and Reducing Shrink

In a time when retailers face ongoing challenges of shrink and loss, Five Below embarked on a transformative journey to optimize their inventory management processes. Discover how they successfully transitioned from reliance on third-party vendors to self-directed inventory counting, leveraging enhanced inventory visibility to drive significant improvements in operational efficiency and retail loss reduction.

Discussion highlights:

  • Understand the strategic shift Five Below made towards self-directed inventory counting.
  • Explore the innovative approaches adopted to enhance inventory visibility and real-time management.
  • Examine the tangible benefits achieved, including cost reductions, accuracy improvements, and organizational impact.