Waitrose selects Aldata to maximise supply chain efficiency as part of growth drive
Retailer looking to develop a platform for growth, with a significant reduction in warehouse inventory and optimised product availability.
Waitrose has selected Aldatab as part of a major IT initiative aimed at optimising replenishment and supplier ordering for its six warehouses across the UK. The new Aldata solution is expected to go live in time for Christmas 2010, with legacy systems being progressively replaced over a period of two years. Aldata was selected following an exhaustive evaluation of the major software vendors in the supply chain space.
Waitrose recently reported a 10.2 percent increase in sales, making it the fastest growing of all the UK’s leading grocers.In addition to the growth of its core business, the retailer is also diversifying its business model, with the expansion of its online shopping business, and the opening of smaller format convenience stores.This growth, combined with an increase in price-led, in-store promotions, the high percentage of fresh produce the retailer carries, and significant commitments to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions, has created significant supply chain complexity.
“With the growth we’ve enjoyed across the business, and the ambitious plans we have for the next few years, we knew we had to overhaul our supply chain IT systems in readiness for the future,” said Liz Gemmill, Head of Supply Chain at Waitrose. “We chose Aldata because they had the best solution for Warehouse Replenishment, but also because the modularity of the system gives us clear options for extending its use across the whole supply chain when the time is right for Waitrose.”
Mark Croxton, Managing Director at Aldata UK, added: “Successful businesses are rarely complacent, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Waitrose as they look to grow and diversify their already formidable operations in the UK. Our goal is to show business benefits quickly, specifically in terms of inventory savings. And of course, with that comes an improvement in the availability of products to customers, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
