Retail and e-tail, sponsored by BiS Henderson Consulting
Winner: Argos with Kuehne + Nagel
Retail is always one of the toughest categories to judge. Examples of excellence abound, as one might expect from a sector where supply chain is critical to commercial success.
The three closest contenders for the trophy were Tesco, Argos with Kuehne + Nagel, and Debenhams with DHL Supply Chain.
Tesco has one of the largest and most diverse supply chains in the world, its international business now spans 12 countries. It wanted to introduce continuity to its supply chain processes across the markets it serves and so assigned a dedicated group of specialists, the Supply Chain Blueprint team, to apply best practice locally. The results in terms of gaps on shelves and decreases in stock holding were impressive.
In the last 18 months Debenhams has experienced a significant growth in e-commerce activity. Supporting this growth the retailer has worked with DHL Supply Chain to create a highly agile supply chain that can expand or downsize as required – at times by 500 per cent. The entry centred on the company’s e-commerce start up operation at Sherburn, Yorkshire, where a close collaboration between retailer and 3PL has produced a slick operation offering cost efficiencies. The judges were impressed by the results – so much so that they highly commended Debenhams with DHL Supply Chain.
However there was one entry that stood out. Argos working with Kuehne + Nagel are two years into a five-year supply chain transformation programme to double product offering and “become leader in digital retail”- a strategy that is already demonstrating clear quantitative and qualitative benefits for the retailer. It involves major changes to key processes, including sourcing, logistics, port strategy, container consolidation, vendor performance management and RDC direct logistics.
The judges could clearly see the significance of the changes to the business and the results so far. “The programme demonstrates best in class governance, clear and disciplined performance and benefits measurement, along with strong sponsorship from company leadership,” say judges. “It’s a great example of where focusing on simple, core supply chain principles can bring big benefits to an organisation and how a true win-win partnership can produce results.” The Award had to go to Argos with Kuehne + Nagel.
Winner
– Argos with Kuehne + Nagel
Highly commended
– Debenhams with DHL Supply Chain
Shortlisted
– Argos with Kuehne + Nagel
– ASDA with Clipper
– Cloud Fulfilment with Arvato UK & Ireland
– Costa Express with Tools Group
– Debenhams with DHL Supply Chain
– Tesco
