Summary

The 1980's witnessed the first step - change in managing the logistics function when stock centralization, contracting out and investment in technologies made a massive impact. The 1990's have experienced further changes that have been mainly concerned with incremental improvements and relationship changes. Retailers are now focusing on the whole supply chain instead of being primarily concerned with physical distribution management. The emphasis now is on quick response, efficient consumer response, category management and continuous replenishment - in short, the key is relationships.
This new study presents a series of contributions from both academic researchers and industry specialists who share their research into retail logistics to provide a state-of-the-art/science report on the key issues for the 1990's.
The book is up-to-date with changes in retail distribution and the recent transformation of retail logistics features company profiles of Safeway and Tesco, two of the most respected grocery logistics operations in the UK. It also discussed the internationalization of retailing and its impact on logistics strategy.
Logistics and Retail Management is essential reading for both retail and logistics managers, professors, students and consultants, and proves that logistics excellence provides a fundamental competitive advantage.

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