Retail store supply chain networks

Let DP denote the set of desired products (or aggregated product families) of the system. These can be manufactured at plants, P, by utilising various resources, RS. The products are subsequently transported to and stored at warehouses, W. Products ftom warehouses are transported upon customer demand, either to distribution centres, D, or directly to retailers, R. Retailers receive time-varying orders from different customers for different products. Satisfaction of customer demand is the primary target in the supply chain management mechanism. Unsatisfied demand is recorded as back-orders for the next time period. A discrete time difference model is used to describe the supply chain network dynamics. The duration of the base time period depends on the dynamic characteristics of the network. 

A TAILORED SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK FOR BOOKS USING RETAIL STORES AND THE INTERNET hi the 1980s, large bookstore chains such as Borders and Barnes Noble established... 

Tesco s use of its physical assets to satisfy both online orders and people who want to shop in a supermarket is an effective integration of online sales within a supply chain network. Another example of an effective tailored strategy is Wahnart, which allows customers to pick up online orders at its retail stores. The Internet is used to expand the variety available to customers at a Walmart store. Walmart stores stock popular items, whereas customers can order online the colors or sizes that may not be available in the store. This allows Walmart to centralize low-demand items while increasing the variety available to customers. Each channel is tailored to carry the products it handles best. 

McDonald s India has developed a special menu with vegetarian selections to suit Indian tastes and preferences. McDonald s does not offer any beef or pork items in India. The company established what is known as cold supply chain . The term Cold Chain describes the network for the procurement, warehousing, transportation and retailing of food products under controlled temperatures. McDonald s restaurants store products to be used on a daily basis, within a temperature range of -18°C to 4°C. About 52 per cent of our food products need to be stored under these conditions before they are used. 

The vice president of supply chain is considering whether to use direct shipping from suppliers to retail stores or setting up milk runs from suppliers to retail stores. What network do you recommend if annual sales for each product at each retail store are 960,000 units What network do you recommend if sales for each product at each retail store are 120,000 units ... 

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