Supply chain is a term which is in vogue, at present. Getting products to the consumer’s doorstep requires an enormous network of processes and in the retail industry, it entails complex supply chains. To offer the best product prices and for your business to be accepted by the customer, you need to manage your supply chain well. The modern supply chain is the support system that enables companies to sell their products and services effectively, while over-delivering customer satisfaction. The retail industry has profit margins that are slim when compared to other industries so the outlets in the retail industry need a robust supply chain management strategy to help them sell the products at a lower price without compromising on price as well as quality.
There is no doubt about it that the Supply Chain Management in retail business is growing quicker than any other business. The reason behind this fact is that companies are moving towards more customer-centric services. Supply Chain Management in the retail industry is one of the most crucial elements that retailers have to consider when planning their business processes. The reason behind this is that the retail supply chain is affected by several factors (such as currency fluctuations, rate changes, market trends, seasonal changes and other external forces) which causes a drastic change in demand for each of the companies involved within one supply chain cycle.
The first and the most important step that should be taken in developing a proper supply chain system in retail is to have a target and purpose. It is very important to identify the purpose of your business. If your aim is to just sell a product then it would be pointless to have a chain-management system that works in a different manner.Supply chain management is an important part of any retail organization. Supply chain management optimizes the use of assets, materials and information in order to create a demand-driven supply chain. This includes everything from inventory control to IT infrastructure and financial management on a global scale. Supply chain management directly affects organizations’ ability to compete and succeed in global markets.
If this system is not properly handled then there can be a major impact on the overall profits. So, a careful study of the product and the market conditions is very much essential before taking any decision related to investment in the system.