Exploring food retail logistics internationalisation in South East Asia

Paper originally presented at the 20th Annual Logistics Research Network Conference, 9th to 11th Sept 2015, Derby. Introduction: Two recent market research reports noted UK consumers enjoy lower food prices than other Western economies. There are many reasons for this but one is due to the UK’s world-leading food retail logistics systems. However, as highly-efficient UK and other Western grocery retailers have entered developing markets, such as South East (SE) Asia, this expertise has not necessarily been successful. Western systems are usually expected to contribute to retailing internationalisation through ‘follow-sourcing’ where retailers entering new markets will encourage existing suppliers to follow them into it, concentrating on procurement modernisation, the establishment of centralised distribution, and the use of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers

The changing market for distribution: implications for Exel Logistics

This paper has been written to compliment a previous Working Paper (The Evolution of a Distribution Brand: The Case of Exel Logistics) and to some extent allows that company’s development (1989- 1993) to be placed in the context of marketplace and industry changes. I wish to examine three of the main trends affecting the distribution industry over the same period. Firstly, the move towards the centralisation of operations by both manufacturers and retailers, secondly at the debate surrounding contracting-out and in-house distribution activities and finally, the issues under consideration must be seen in a wider context - that of distribution and the Single European Market (SEM), which could be said to be the most important development facing the distribution industry for many years. These trends will be discussed in some detail and, where appropriate, from Exel Logistics’ perspective in order to consider how far the company has gone both in dealing with marketplace changes and in achieving its aims.School of Managemen

Chain-Store Competition: Customized vs. Uniform Pricing

Retail chains essentially practice one of two broad strategies in setting prices across their stores. The more straightforward is to set a chain- or country- wide price. Alternatively, managers of retail chains may customize prices to the store level according to local demand and competitive conditions. For example, a chain may price lower in a location with lower demand and/or more competition. However, despite having the ability to customize prices to local market conditions, some choose instead to commit to uniform pricing with a “one price policy” across their entire store network. As an illustration, we focus on UK supermarket chains. Is there an advantage to be gained from deliberately choosing not to price discriminate across locations? We show generally and illustrate through means of a specific model that there exists a strategic incentive to soften competition in competitive markets by committing not to customize prices at the store level and instead adopt uniform pricing across the store network, and to raise overall profits thereby. Furthermore, we characterize quite precisely the circumstances under which uniform pricing is, and is not, profitable and illustrate that under a range of circumstances uniform pricing may be the preferable strategy.Chain-store retailers ; price discrimination ; uniform pricing ; local pricing ; commitment

Green Jobs in a Sustainable Food System

The U.S. food sector is among the most productive in the world and is a significant driver of our economy. Yet, it's failing us in major ways -- putting public health, livelihoods and our environment at great risk. Obesity and diabetes rates are rising, communities are plagued by food deserts, and agriculture runoff is the biggest source of pollution in our rivers and lakes.The good news is that communities across the country are addressing this crisis in innovative ways. Through different community-based efforts, local activists and food advocates are finding ways to improve community health and environmental outcomes while creating a more economically equitable food system.It is within this context that this report identifies opportunities to transform jobs in the green economy and enhance environmental and economic equity outcomes in the future. The initial analysis promises opportunities for workers to build long-term skills, and emphasizes the importance of linking local efforts to broader regional and national policy platforms. This multi-level engagement and collaboration will help set in motion the systemic changes needed to create a more sustainable and equitable food system

What's Cooking in Your Food System? A Guide to Community Food Assessment

Learn about Community Food Assessments, a creative way to highlight food-related resources and needs, promote collaboration and community participation, and create lasting change. This Guide includes case studies of nine Community Food Assessments; tips for planning and organizing an assessment; guidance on research methods and strategies for promoting community participation; and ideas for translating an assessment into action for change