Quality and compliance demands drive new approach to supply chain mapping

Monday April 4th 2016

How can brands keep costs low and quality high, while addressing consumer expectations for more sustainable and ethical products that are available at the touch of a button? Commentary by Segura

Over the course of the last decade, retail supply chains have faced unprecedented pressure. Online shopping and the changing demands of today’s consumers have altered the shape of modern fulfilment, while the global economic crisis highlighted the need for robust, efficient and economical sourcing. Add to this the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act and California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, and retailers are left with a series of apparently incompatible demands.

How can brands keep costs low and quality high, while addressing consumer expectations for more sustainable and ethical products that are available at the touch of a button?

The answer lies in developing a leaner, more efficient supply chain made up of vendors that are responsible, reliable and financially secure. To achieve the necessary levels of transparency to help retailers effectively manage their supply chains, technology is likely to play a significant role.

One business leading the way in supply chain innovation is Segura, a recent finalist for the Innovation Trail and Awards at this year’s Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE), shortlisted for its unrivalled software solution.

Segura’s cloud-based platform enables brands to map their supply network, creating a clear plan of exactly who is supplying what. Capable of tracing the journey of each individual order in real time, the software ensures visibility and full accountability throughout the supply chain. Retailers can track exactly what is ordered from where and when, as well as receive notifications and reporting on when orders are fulfilled and shipped.

This level of detail and oversight is particularly important for retailers with brands built around ethical or localised sourcing, such as those with a 100% British guarantee. While this pledge and stance can be particularly rewarding for a brand, it does not come without its challenges.

CEO and co-founder of Segura, Peter Needle, will be speaking about the benefits of a transparent supply chain at the Meet the Manufacturer conference in May, the only sourcing event exclusively showcasing British manufacturers and producers. The software company was selected as the event’s headline sponsor this year, being described as ‘the perfect partner’. In his speech, Peter will explain how real-time insights and effective supply chain management can help businesses to take positive steps to reduce risk, improve quality and introduce cost savings, allowing brands to really get the most from manufacturing in the UK.

However, the need for supply chain clarity is not limited to this sector alone. A greater level of awareness over suppliers is also essential for effective multichannel strategies.

In today’s demand driven retail industry, minor disruptions can have a major impact on order fulfilment, and subsequently customer satisfaction. Having end-to-end visibility is what gives successful businesses their competitive edge.

Segura’s innovative software allows retailers to foresee areas of risk and potential cost-savings, as well as making the management of rebate payments much clearer and simpler. Segura also gives brand owners the flexibility to quickly react and adapt to changes, a crucial quality to have in a society where consumers have been conditioned to expect more.