Grocery Industry Collaboration in the Wake of ECR

TLDR

Efficient Consumer Response has not delivered promised efficiencies, largely due to unrealistic expectations and underestimation of the internal and external changes needed. The study examines successful grocery supply chain collaboration through case studies to identify key success factors. Case studies of grocery supply chain collaborations are used to uncover success factors. Despite slower-than-expected change, firms have achieved significant results through coordinated supply chain collaboration.

Abstract

Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) is an industry‐wide initiative that is commonly believed to have fallen far short of its promised efficiencies and value. Many believe that unrealistic expectations among grocery industry participants are primarily at fault for this shortcoming. The level of internal and external change required to make desired outcomes a reality have been underestimated and poorly understood by prospective participants. While change has been slower than desired, many firms have collaborated effectively and achieved significant results through coordinated supply chain activities. This research uses case studies to illustrate successful collaboration in the grocery supply chain and explores the success factors inherent in such efforts.