Michael Keefe, chief executive officer of Hilco Merchant Resources, (HMR) announced the launch of Hilco Wholesale Solutions (HWS) to provide structured disposition services for underperforming and excess consumer products inventory. Marc Caplan, a 20-plus year consumer inventory disposition veteran, has been named president.

Prior to Hilco, Caplan was president and founder of Chicago-based Exit Trading, specialists in the acquisition and remarketing of soft goods. Caplan formed the company in 1993 and over the years built a profitable, international organization. Earlier, Caplan had been in sales management with several apparel manufacturers.

Consumer products inventory covers a broad range of asset classes, including apparel, footwear, toys and games, books, sporting goods, housewares, health and beauty products, grocery items and end-of-season merchandise from retailers.

Wholesale consumer products inventory is typically awaiting transfer from warehouses or distribution centers to stores or, in the case of online retailers, to customers. Wholesale inventory can also be situated in-transit from a manufacturer.

Generally, excess and underperforming consumer inventory is a byproduct of bankruptcies, business restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, order cancellations, manufacturer overruns or product design changes.

“The addition of a wholesale consumer products inventory disposition practice enables Hilco to provide retailers, consumer products manufacturers and their professional advisors with a single-source solution for all inventory disposition requirements,” said Keefe. “Marc Caplan brings Hilco a wealth of retail consumer products expertise, experience, contacts and leadership qualities certain to foster success in this new venture.”