Retail

Elizabeth Arden's Supply Chain Gets Dramatic Facelift

February 1, 1999

The cosmetics and fragrances manufacturer significantly reduced order-cycle times by assigning production and logistics operations to the same manager, and by implementing ISM's SPEX export documentation system.

U.K. Brewer Turns to Canada's Numetrix for Supply-Chain Help

October 1, 1998

Ken Cottrill

A potent mix of changing consumer tastes and legislation that forced it to sell much of its pub business caused Bass Brewers to radically tighten up its supply chain. It called in Numetrix to provide the needed technology.

Mikasa Redesigns Distribution To Match Retail Demands

September 1, 1998

Kurt C. Hoffman

To meet changing retailer requirements and sales growth demands, tableware designer Mikasa built a new, highly automated distribution center in Charleston, S.C., adopting an unusual design that conserves both energy and space.

Global Sourcing Helps Home Depot Keep Prices Low, Quality High

April 1, 1998

Jean V. Murphy

Home Depot has centralized its import operations, opened a major import distribution center in Savannah, Ga., and installed purchase-order and import tracking software from RockPort Trade Systems to support its continuing, rapid-fire growth.

LEGO's Logistics Blocks Include 'Combi' Transport, Recyclable Packaging

April 1, 1998

Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

Denmark-based LEGO Group keeps its brightly-colored blocks flowing to consumers in 150 countries by incorporating logistics as an important adjunct to both manufacturing and sales.

Gymboree Finds a European Launching Pad in Ireland

February 1, 1998

Grant Park

The Shannon Free Zone's irresistible tax benefits and other advantages helped it win the business of Gymboree and of many other companies looking for a European launch pad.

Following McDonald's to China Was Not As Easy as Pie

February 1, 1998

Karen E. Thuermer

When Bama Companies, a Tulsa, Okla.-based pie maker, found it too costly to continue exporting to China to supply McDonald's, its biggest customer, Bama officials decided to set up operations there. Implementing that decision involved numerous challenges.

Target Stores Relies on GENCO to Manage Its Returns Program

October 1, 1997

Kurt C. Hoffman

Target Stores saved money and improved store efficiency when it decided to centralize its returns program and outsource returns-center management to third-party provider GENCO.

Harley-Davidson's Road Trip to Kansas City

April 1, 1997

Paul Conley

When once-ailing American icon Harley-Davidson decided it had to build a new plant to meet increasing demand, many locales wanted the nod. In the final round, Kansas City's air links to Harley headquarters and its "common culture" theme carried the day.

Retail

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the retail industry — which comprises companies that operate physical or internet stores with diversified product lines. Learn how pharmaceutical and biotech companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.