Promotional sales are some of the biggest sources of conflict between retailers and their suppliers in the UK today. But it is an area where better advanced planning and scheduling and the use of IT systems could actually help.
Only last month Food Manufacture (April p4) reported on accusations by Asda about the waste caused by overly optimistic promotional forecasting by some of its suppliers. Meanwhile, a trial using radio frequency identification tagging carried out by German retailer Metro and Kraft last year identified problems caused by the failure to track promotional materials designed for use at point of sale.
With these problems in mind, Food Manufacture is organising a special round table event early in July in Leamington Spa on the subject of supply chain planning and forecasting. Chaired by independent supply chain consultant Tim Knowles, it will address some of the organisational issues in successful planning and forecasting, such as: who should take responsibility for forecast accuracy? and how do you measure success in planning and forecasting?
Also covered will be technical issues in improving supply chain performance via advanced planning techniques and the role of software in enabling world class planning and forecasting. Central to the debate will be a discussion of promotional planning and how to get it right.
If you are work in the UK food and drink supply chain and would be interested in attending this free event, please call or email Helen Law on 01293 846587. Alternatively email Helen.law@william-reed.co.uk for more details about the round table.