Do's and Don'ts

Industry pros weigh in with tips for smarter logistics, warehouse efficiencies and more.

- Jenny McTaggart

The tried-and-true grocery supply chain sounds simple enough in theory: Get products from the field or manufacturer to the warehouse, and finally to the store, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

But today’s retail executives aren’t finding the task easy at all, as they’re constantly challenged with planning pitfalls, often unpredictable delays in shipping, important safety regulations that must be adhered to, and even trials in consumer marketing, particularly as it relates to how they can reach and satisfy mobile consumers who have more choices than ever before.

To help make things a little more manageable, Progressive Grocer has rounded up a quick list of “do’s and don’ts” from professionals who work in various areas of the supply chain, including overall strategy and planning, transportation and logistics, and technology. Their insights will hopefully inspire you not only to solve some of your most pressing problems, but also to discover some innovative ideas.

Demand Planning

First and foremost, successful supply chain management requires thoughtful planning. Mike Griswold, research VP at Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner, offers the following advice to retailers as they contemplate their initial courses of action:

Do ensure supply ownership of the demandplanning process. Mature retail supply chains centralize the demand-planning process within the supply chain for the following reasons:

Objectivity: Buyers and merchants tend to have an emotional investment relative to the performance of an item, and therefore tend to show a bias toward overforecasting. Ownership by the supply chain provides an objective, impartial view of demand expectations.