subject: Services Of Retail Distribution Programs [print this page] In todays competitive and retail sales arena, a huge amount of importance is given on acquiring the right product, at the right time, to the right stores and in the appropriate quantity. This is essential to the profitability of every store location as well as the supply chain.
In majority of retail stores, the quantity of space kept available for checking, receiving and display of the merchandise is restricted. Hence, it important that the retail products are efficiently moved to the selling floor in an systematic manner by the store workers. The regional retail distribution centers are most often used to consolidate the combined purchases of selected products that are destined for refurbishing each stores that are located within its service territory and offer one or more of the following solutions to shift the same to the stores:
Central checking and receiving
Central reporting of the received products to account pay ables for supplier payment
Assurance operations and Quality control
Returns to vendor as per the requirement that involves aspects such as deficiencies, overages, unauthorized substitutions, late arrival and so on
Value added services such as assortment building, price making, rework and so on
Consolidation of outbound store shipments on route trailers for movement of goods to stores
Cross docking of promotional, new items and seasonal products that need instant distribution to the retail stores
Transfer to DC storage and Order selection areas for consequent processing, shipment and selection
These services enable the store professionals to concentrate their activities on Customer Services and selling activities. As the retailer expands, and the retail stores too grow in number then the meaningful and efficient services of a systematic retail network distribution becomes crucial in managing the floor ready goods to the retail stores.
Industry Solutions for Retail Distributions
Today eminent service providers of supply chain solutions have introduced efficient retail distribution programs offering the following services:
Price minimization's and a quicker time to market
High-end in-house IT capacities
Simplistic and scalable distribution services
The outsourced expense is totally variable and tied directly to demand
Shared-overhead model minimizes expenses
There are no long term leases
Strategically designed manufacturing and distribution hubs that reduce shipping and delivery costs
However, it is essential to join hands with a solution provider that would successfully understand and cater to your requirements and is within your budget plans. Furthermore, it is also crucial to take into account a companys feed backs and experience track record.
