Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog

Nobody doubts the difficult market conditions we find ourselves in. Every single company is trying its hardest to take their share of a diminishing consumer purse to meet their targets. In reality, not everyone can achieve their annual numbers but…

No, honestly this is a blog about Supply Chain! Those seeking advice on leather and chains should return to Google now. Within an FMCG business are there any people lacking more in structure, discipline and planning as Sales and Marketing…

Yes, it is difficult. You have already "sold" the stock and paid out and received sales bonuses based on sales targets. The fact is that although the stock may have left your books it has not really been sold. The ownership of the goods has changed…

Hello pop pickers, this weeks’ top 10 smash hits in this important but often forgotten part of the Supply Chain. At number 10 is All Systems Go by Donna Summer – Do not cut costs on your WMS and avoid any untried local “specials”. Make sure all…

Despite what you might wish to believe the answer is probably, yes. You have invested heavily in brand spanking new ERP software and similarly heavily in some smart, young consultancy people to run the implementation. You will have spent some timing…

I have been thinking about Africa this year & its particular needs regarding supply chain. We have been working there since 1993 & it came back into consciousness during the World Cup. Many African countries are growing rapidly. However, I have been…

If you suffer from agoraphobia you should avoid visiting FMCG/ Pharmaceutical warehouses in CEE. Pre the banking and financial melt-down you would struggle to find any available space and certainly not in significant workable quantities. Not too…

As we slowly (but surely?) emerge out of recession you can expect the number of M&A deals to rise. Many companies have tightened their belts and tried to ride out the economic storm but many have already gone to the wall and even more will follow.…

This weeks’ top 10 looks at FMCG Route To Market Distribution - how do you get your product onto shelves? Straight in at number 10 is Queen with One Vision – Work with Distributors that have a clearly defined strategy in place. If they know what…

Research and experience has shown that where companies view Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) as a supply chain process and planning system it invariably fails to deliver the expected results and benefits. Conversely where S&OP is seen as the…

If you seek to run a slick Supply Chain you should aim to have your key sku’s in one place where they are easy to find. These 3 insights into holding too much inventory are now in one place. Why it happens How to avoid Solutions Do you agree? If I…

Ouch! Did I touch a nerve there? I think I did judging by the reaction but a good debate is always worth having. I have been challenged to expand on my top ten moans and explain precisely what I mean and why the criticism is not always fair. Here…

FMCG producers seem far too ready to blame their Distributors when sales do not go to plan and targets are not met. However, it is not all their fault particularly if you are not clear on what is expected of them. To assist FMCG Producers to…

No, of course it’s not true but I bet it grabbed your attention! If there is a more put down, criticised and unrecognised function in any FMCG/Pharma company then I would like to hear about it. Supply Chain is routinely the brunt of complaints from…

Dear Frustrated of FMCG Drinks, Thank you for your letter, which was a delight to read. Believe me; you are not alone in having such feelings and concerns. There is nothing worse than seeing the world’s greatest drinks salesman shining downand not…