The third ECR Supply Chain Summit took place this week at the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown, with this year’s theme of ‘Driving Growth Through Supply Chain Excellence’.
The aim of this year’s summit was to highlight how, while the primary KPI in many supply chain has been to reduce cost in recent years, it is time for supply chains to deliver growth and competitive advantage in other areas too.
A major theme throughout the morning’s presentations was how collaboration between multiple partners across supply chains is being used to achieve this.
The event began with an introduction from ECR General Manager Declan Carolan, as well as a presentation on keeping up with shopper demands in today’s market by Business Unit Director at Kantar, David Berry.
Delegates also heard from Chief Customer Officer UK & Ireland for DHL Supply Chain, Mark Parsons on the changing supply chain environment from a 3PL perspective.
Eoin Butler, Supply Chain Manger at MRPI discussed the changes in his company’s approach to supply chain, from the recession where savings were top of the agenda, through to today’s tentative recovery in which we are seeing renewed room for growth and innovation.
MRPI also won this year’s ECR Supply Chain Awards, voted for by the attendees, for its use of benchmarking and innovation to build a better supply chain across its network.
One of the day’s more revealing presentation’s was on how Wrigleys has worked with Tesco in the UK to prevent theft and lost stock along the supply chain of its products, given by Richard Brown, On Shelf Availability Manager for Wrigleys UK.
A key lesson from Wrigley and Tesco’s work was how it is possible to streamline a supply chain, and secure an often-pilfered product without putting off potential customers. Achieving this included specially designed delivery cases and secure shelving units that retained branding and attractiveness to shoppers.
On-shelf availability and collaborating on inventory issues were central themes to both the talks given by Alistair Wright, Channel Manager of Retail Solutions and Chris Sellicks, Customer Supply Chain Manager for Nestle Ireland.
In both cases, the question was asked, what do customers do when the product they want isn’t available, with most choosing a different brand or going to a different store and 9% simply buying nothing, highlighting the need to ensure shoppers can get what they want when they want it.
Pictured left to right, ECR General Manager Declan Carolan and Tony Harris, Supply Chain Innovation Manager, MRPI
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
