In a recent article, Winsight Grocery Business and author Jennifer Strailey learned first-hand the power of computer ordering when it comes to many the myriad of things grocers are facing on the inventory front.
Here’s a snippet:
With COVID cases spiking once again, it appears the world may be moving into the dreaded second wave. As a result, many grocers have reinstituted purchase limits on products that spurred panic buying in March and April. But while Tops Friendly Markets recently placed limits on some items including toilet paper and household cleaners, thanks to computer-assisted ordering (CAO) and strategic planning with its partners, the Williamsville, N.Y.-based grocer said it is better prepared for round two, and has not placed purchase limits on as many items this time as it did early in the pandemic.
“We have initiated a limit on certain categories that have been hit hardest by the pandemic to ensure that we stem the panic buying, but the CAO system did a decent job of reacting to the product demands from COVID,” says Thomas Durkin, director of operations for Tops. “Where we fell short, like most retailers, was in our warehouse procurement and the ability of our manufacturers to remain in stock. The difference now is that we understand and have planned for additional safety stock of the hardest hit categories.
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Video commentary on the subject from author Jennifer Strailey starts at 7:20 at this link: https://bit.ly/3mHUOQF