Not having certain products delivered to your store in time for important sales windows can be a huge setback.
Not having certain products delivered to your store in time for important sales windows can be a huge setback. Not only are you missing out on a lot of sales, but you’re also disappointing customers and causing them to go to a competitor’s store instead. As a result, you put in a lot of effort to avoid this issue, and you likely spend a lot of time forecasting inventory and arranging your supply chain accordingly. Regardless of how comprehensive your plan is or if it’s a one-size-fits-all approach, it’s vital to think about how specific products and transportation requirements could cause supply chain bottlenecks.
Apples and blueberries, for example, are temperature and time-sensitive and must be transported in a cold chain. I’m guessing they arrive at the store on the same vehicle from a distribution centre (DC), right? So, what if your blueberry truck gets stopped in traffic? Do you want your distribution centre to store the truck to stay and wait for the blueberries to come, or do you want it to go without them?
Seasonal demands and items that can spike at any time add another dimension to your strategy. Surges might strain your supply chain if you don’t have a strong contingency plan in place. DSD Route Accounting software can help with this problem.
Direct store delivery (DSD) refers to sending products directly to a supplier or distributor, bypassing the retailer’s distribution centre. DSD also places the unloading and stocking of products in the hands of distributors rather than shops. DSD is an important route in the grocery industry since it gets a product with limited shelf life to its destinations promptly and gives retailers control over shelf space.
DSD is well-known for swiftly and cost-effectively refilling out-of-stock products for retailers. It can be used in a variety of situations, including:
For Valentine’s Day, a one-time, high-volume delivery of flowers and candy
A complete supply of fresh produce
For the dinner rush, a quick order of fresh lettuce, potatoes, and corn
A local delivery in which you send items out of state to your warehouse and then return it to your stores
A DSD software ensures that you have the things your customers want exactly when they want them.
Use these best practices to make sure your company is getting the most out of DSD:
Make use of a TMS (Transport Management System)
A transportation management system (TMS) gives your global supply chain the shipment optimization, visibility, business analytics, and global supply chain skills it needs to cut costs, increase efficiencies, and gain a competitive edge.
With a TMS, your company has complete visibility into every part of its supply chain. As a result, you can make DSD-related decisions that you know will boost your bottom line. A TMS can assist your company in ensuring that you are getting charged the correct rates, optimizing items and routes, and resolving any issues you may have.
DSD works for most retailers with the proper sourcing and logistics provider. Look for a company with national coverage, collaborate with other businesses in your field, have the necessary equipment for all of your products, and deliver a product the same day you need it. In addition, look for a company with the technology to handle all of your order management needs, including orders, tracking, delivery, and paying, from a single source. Whether you own a small convenience shop or work for one of the world’s largest retail chains, there are days when everyone could use a little help.
Also, search for a company that can handle all of your order management needs—orders, tracking, delivery, and billing—from a single source. Whether you own a small convenience shop or work for one of the world’s largest retail chains, there are days when everyone could use a little help
