Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy

My Experience in Retail Supply Chain

Retail Supply Chain Process Flow

A modern retail supply chain is a closed-loop system that starts with predicting customer demand and ends with recovering value from returned goods, all while feeding every step with data so the next cycle runs faster and cheaper.  Omnichannel expectations, sustainability targets, and margin pressure mean each link in the chain must be both digitally visible and physically agile.

1. Demand forecasting & planning

Merchandisers no longer forecast from last season’s spreadsheets; AI engines ingest store-level POS, ecommerce clicks, weather, and promotions to refresh demand curves daily. Grocery chains using machine-learning models report double-digit reductions in fresh-food waste and 2-4 pp gains in on-shelf availability.

2. Supplier sourcing & procurement

Once demand is locked, buyers secure supply through strategic sourcing events and long-term contracts, increasingly augmented by Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI). Under VMI, a supplier monitors real-time sell-through and triggers replenishment automatically, cutting stock-outs and carrying costs for retailers such as Walmart.

3. Inbound logistics & receiving

Goods move from factories or consolidation hubs via multi-modal transport to distribution centres (DCs). Detailed Advanced Shipping Notices (ASNs) let receiving docks pre-book labor and doors; once trailers arrive, radio-frequency scanners verify quantities and quality before items enter inventory. Automated receiving can shave inbound dwell time by 20-30 %.

4. DC & warehouse operations

Inside the DC, autonomous mobile robots, high-speed sorters, and AI vision systems handle storing, picking, packing, and sortation. Retailers piloting cobot fleets have boosted order-picking productivity up to 3× while freeing labor for value-added tasks. Amazon’s latest “Sequoia” sites illustrate the blend of human oversight and robotics now standard.

5. Omnichannel fulfilment & store replenishment

Inventory pools are shared across stores, dark stores, and e-commerce nodes. Unified order-management engines choose the cheapest, fastest fulfilment path—ship-from-store, click-and-collect, curb-side or direct-to-consumer—while algorithmic allocation tops up shelves overnight. Leading retailers refresh planograms several times a week to align with real-time demand.

6. Last-mile delivery

The “final mile” can account for 40 % of total logistics cost, so retailers mix carrier networks, gig-economy couriers, and micro-fulfilment hubs. Dynamic route-optimisation and parcel lockers cut empty miles and emissions, helping brands meet one-day SLAs without exploding costs.

7. Returns management & reverse logistics

With online return rates hovering around 15–30 %, an efficient reverse flow is critical. Best-in-class retailers issue digital return labels, route items to the nearest consolidation point, grade them for resale, refurbishment, or recycling, and credit the customer within hours, turning a margin drain into a loyalty play and supporting circular-economy goals.

8. Data visibility & continuous improvement

A control-tower layer stitches together IoT sensor feeds, transportation management systems, and WMS data to surface exceptions in real time, whether a delayed container or a spike in return defects. Advanced analytics then drive root-cause actions and year-on-year KPI gains; 88 % of logistics tech vendors say clients grew service levels while trimming costs in 2024–25.

Challenges in The Retail Supply Chain

Here are some challenges within the retail supply chain.

1. Worldwide Shortages

Worldwide shortages disrupted every element of the supply chain due to the pandemic, the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, and other trade disputes. 

Shortages are now getting worse and everyone is affected, not just retailers. Thus, making it hard to get the necessary supplies and inventory.

2. Shipping Congestion

Retailers are facing shipping congestion in major ports due to what is happening in the world today. The long delays are increasing shipping times and creating longer wait times to unload the cargo at the ports despite handling fewer cargoes. 

The active container shipping supply has also decreased due to the shipping congestion. Thus, it removed about 16% of global container ship sailing capacity compared to the last two years.

3. Economic Sanctions

Economic sanctions had strained the speed of supply chains. Many countries continue to issue sanctions against Russia. Russia retaliates by also issuing sanctions against them. Therefore, there have been many changes in terms of trade among countries. 

The sanctions between nations are not slowing down and are expected to continue further. Thus, affecting many business operations in the coming months and years. 

How to Improve Retail Supply Chain Management

You may be interested to know how to improve the retail supply chain management.

1. Implementing Retail Systems

Implementing a good supply chain system can oversee the entire production process, from obtaining raw goods to manufacturing and sending them to customers. You will have a high chance of a successful supply chain by integrating retail systems. 

Additionally, you will get real-time visibility into all areas of your business. You can also avoid overselling stock and spend less time reconciling your inventory.

2. Enhancing the accuracy of forecasting

Demand forecasting can help know what products consumers will buy and projects your future revenue. It will also help you make decisions about your product offerings and inventory, decreasing stockouts and maintaining your cash flow.

3. Applying reverse logistics

Processes like recycling or returns require reverse logistics. Reverse logistics helps you to regain value from your products or dispose of them. Due to the fact that returns harm your profitability, and most customers say that they will not shop with businesses with poor returns, reverse logistics is a significant process to get it right. 

Trends in Retail Supply Chain

Here are some trends in the retail supply chain that you may want to know.

1. Faster customer returns and refunds

For 2025, retailers and brands will focus on making the process of customer returns much faster and slicker than before. 

This is due to the fact that consumers are more likely to shop and respond with a retailer following a return if they get their money back fast.

Additionally, according to a study conducted by the ASCG, almost 51% of consumers will spend between £50 to £200 less each month due to rising energy bills and the impacts of inflation. 

Thus, quick returns and refund processes could help retailers lock in sales by ensuring that an item being sent back does not mark the end of the buyer’s transaction. 

2. Lowering international freight prices

Shipping prices during the past few years have been a big priority for retailers. Attention to finding ways to mitigate costs, alternative route planning, and international freight prices are showing downward trends as we return to pre-pandemic levels. 

3. Outsourced warehousing

Warehouses are a big expense for retailers, whether rented or owned, which is a major reason why we will likely see a shift to outsourced warehousing in 2025. 

Additionally, retailers are keen to lower their operating costs and strengthen their cash flow as they adjust their operating models. Thus, warehousing ranks as the top priority for retailers looking to lower their costs to protect their profit margins in 2025. 

The Importance of Retail Supply Chain Management

Many people overlook the importance of retail supply chain management and undervalue its impact on business operations. However, retailers cannot do it anymore nowadays. 

According to a report by the National Retail Federation (NRF), almost 65% of consumers look up free-shipping thresholds before adding items to their online shopping carts. 

Additionally, 39% of the consumers surveyed expect two-day shipping to be free of charge. If you do not offer this, consumers will try finding other online shops. Also, 29% of consumers opt not to buy anymore if they know that two-day shipping is not free. 

Many retailers are falling short of meeting the customer’s expectations. Those businesses that can provide the best shipping experience will see a big impact on their costs and gain some advantage over other competitors. 

For you to stand out in the retail industry, your fulfillment process and ability to deliver the products can set you apart from the others in the competition. 

Conclusion

Understanding and effectively managing the retail supply chain is crucial for businesses to meet consumer expectations, navigate challenges, and stay competitive. Implementing efficient systems, accurate forecasting, and adapting to emerging trends contribute to a resilient and successful retail supply chain.