We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Best-in-class retailers have greater supply chain visibility than peers
Forward Thinking

Best-in-class retailers have greater supply chain visibility than peers

December 1, 2016
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

With supply chains that stretch around the globe, retail companies are finding that they are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions such as delayed shipments, capacity shortages, and product recalls. Having greater visibility into what is currently happening in their inbound supply chains can help them deal with these disruptions faster and more effectively.

Retail companies interested in learning how their own level of supply chain visibility stacks up against industry averages may want to take a look at the analyst organization Aberdeen Group's November 2016 report, "Supply Chain Visibility: Know Sooner, Act Now." ( A complimentary copy of the report can be downloaded from the global trade management software company Amber Road's website.)

According to the report, there is a big gap between the level of visibility that best-in-class companies have and that for the rest of the retailing world. A survey of 135 retail supply chain managers found that 85 percent of best-in-class companies can see the status of their in-transit shipments, while only 58 percent of all other companies have that ability. Even fewer respondents had access to more granular information, such as information about what products and orders are connected to a particular shipment. The survey found that 78 percent of best-in-class companies had access to the type of inbound supply chain data needed to make decisions in the face of a disruption (such as where to allocate limited inventory or whether shipments could be rerouted) versus 48 percent of other companies.

One particular point of weakness for retailers was a lack of visibility into supplier quality and manufacturing processes, according to Aberdeen. While 68 percent of best-in-class companies have visibility into their suppliers' quality and manufacturing processes, only 30 percent of all other companies did. Recent events— such as the discovery by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. that an Indian supplier was selling them fake Egyptian cotton sheets—highlight the risks associated with this lack of visibility.

The Aberdeen report concludes that investment in supply chain visibility pays off in the form of a greater number of on-time shipments and lower overall costs.

Global Logistics Strategy Technology
    • Related Articles

      FourKites Announces New Alliance with Infosys to Accelerate the Adoption of Best-in-Class Supply Chain Visibility Solutions

      Brewers Supply Group Selects BluJay’s Transportation Management to Deliver Best-in-class Service

      Survey: Lunar New Year could have bigger supply chain impact than last year

    Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

    Saddle Creek adds 1.8 million square feet of warehouse space in four markets

    Penske’s 3PL arm to expand brokerage capabilities with new offices in Chicago and NJ

    ERP vendor Aptean acquires TMS provider TOTALogistix

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Report: Sagging freight stats show that trucking sector is returning to its historic mean

    • Survey: parcel delivery drivers are frustrated by using their own smartphones for work

    • Heavy transport across two continents

    • Survey: most Americans unaware that truckers face shortage of parking spaces

    • Supply chain executives not yet seeing expected results from technology investments

    Featured Video

    20221107korber large vs

    Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

    Viewer Contributed
    With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    • The Complete Guide to Automated Packaging

    • Five tips for parcel success in 2023

    • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

    View More

    Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

    Get Your Subscription
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • E-NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing