As with every other area of retail, the supply chain is in the throes of transformation. Not only is the global nature of sourcing changing, but multichannel’s tendrils are reaching every part of business and the supply chain is no exception.

As with every other area of retail, the supply chain is in the throes of transformation. Not only is the global nature of sourcing changing, but multichannel’s tendrils are reaching every part of business and the supply chain is no exception.

Every retailer is different and each will need to invest in different parts of their supply chain. Distribution centres, however, have become one of the more popular elements to target - they play such a crucial role in getting product out to stores that their role in a shifting environment is undeniable. The work that retailers are doing in this area reflects how important the centres have become in enabling the provision of seamless services - nothing even remotely cross-channel will happen unless the backbone provided by an efficient distribution centre is there. We find out how centres are evolving to cope with changing demands.

Another issue that has become more pressing for retailers in the past couple of years is returns. Volumes of returned goods have increased dramatically, and they’re set to keep growing alongside online and mobile sales.

Our feature examines how retailers can process them efficiently, how many products are re-sellable and what it is costing retailers to deal with returned goods.

While returns processes and distribution centres are necessary for every retailer to tackle, it’s not often that a retailer uses its supply chain as a point of difference. But Morrisons’ vertical integration means it is doing just that - we look at the development of the grocer’s supply chain and the advantages it brings.

Finally, we discover how and why sourcing is moving away from the Far East in our excerpt from Retail Week’s Retail 2013 report. Based on interviews with the UK’s retail leaders, it gives a unique snapshot of how retailers are approaching global sourcing today.

  • Rebecca Thomson, Supplement Editor