Retail Focus 29
Because of the rise of the culture of
promiscuity, companies expect their Sam Jackson
suppliers’ systems to integrate with their Managing Director
own and perform at the same levels of Prologic
reliability and availability because they www.prologic.co.uk
are an integral part of their supply chain.
Having a single system that covers
all aspects of the supply chain and
seamlessly links every process in that
chain is a way to ensure that data flows
easily through each stage of the supply
chain. This will minimize errors, ensure
the validity of information throughout the
processes, enable stock availability to
be maximized, and minimize the level of
customer loss.
Environmental Impact of
Supply Chains
Of increasing importance to Governments, will result in a lowering of the extent of controlled with greater precision. This
consumers and organizations of all kinds logistical requirements. This, in turn, will will lower the environmental impact of the
is the impact that they are having on reduce the cost of transportation from supply chain; there will be fewer instances
the environment. The supply chain is a manufacturer to warehouse and on to the of stocking errors and therefore wastage,
major contributor to the carbon footprint retail outlet or consumer. Mistakes will thereby improving the overall corporate
of all retail organizations, but this can be prove to be more expensive for the retail image of the company. Improved
adapted to ensure that it minimizes its outlets as well as for the environment, customer satisfaction through better stock
impact and that of companies’ suppliers. making efficiency a vital aspect of the control and heightened availability of
A company’s procurement decisions green supply chain. Once again it is items in all channels will reduce levels of
can influence their environmental effect, the technology underpinning this entire customer loss and lessen the reputation
and encouraging better supply chain process that will assist in optimizing the damage that might otherwise occur.
performance can directly reflect on supply chain process and minimizing its
prices, environmental risk, corporate environmental impact. In essence, the supply chain efficiencies
image/reputation, product/service that create corporate competitive edge
quality and supply chain relationships, and commercial success also deliver
and can make a direct contribution to Conclusion customer satisfaction and environmental
the overall impact of companies on the good health. With a winning combination
environment. The trend of companies Technology is an enabler in all types of of this scale and diversity, all fashion
demanding that suppliers improve their business, but to be most effective it must retailers should be taking a long, hard look
environmental performance is likely to be transparent across all processes. In at their supply chain and seeking ways to
increase dramatically during the coming the context of a fashion retail organization, enhance it through unified systems and
months, as the environment increasingly this will require the technology to control supply chain strategies.
becomes a factor in the buying decision and manage every stage of the supply
of the consumer. Retailers will place ever chain — from individual supplier systems
greater emphasis on this aspect of their right to the point of sale, and every point
operations and exploit it for competitive in-between. To achieve this fluency
advantage. The green supply chain will requires an integrated approach and an
play a pivotal role in this area. understanding of the processes involved
at all levels of the organization. Accuracy
Of course, simply ensuring that the supply of information will enable suppliers to
chain operates effectively — first time, ensure that the correct stock is delivered
every time — is a huge step in the right to the right channel outlets at the right
direction. Reducing supply chain issues times and will enable stock levels to be
June 2007 Supply Chain Europe
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