Distribution and Retail Management Strategies

Introduction:

Distribution and retail management have long been crucial to industrial and economic systems. However, their recognition as a distinct and vital business function is relatively recent. Retail management focuses on various activities designed to attract customers to physical or online stores to fulfill their shopping needs. As numerous retail chains compete for consumer attention, sophisticated management skills have become essential. Efficient warehousing and distribution management are central to ensuring the availability of the right stock at the correct price, location, and time. This module will expose students to complex concepts and practices to excel in the competitive retail and sales management environment.

Objectives:

By the end of this Distribution and Retail Management Strategies course, participants will be able to:

• Develop new methods or enhance existing practices based on procedural reviews.
• Eliminate activities that result in unnecessary costs.
• Create and implement effective inventory picking strategies for e-procurement scenarios.
• Recognize and understand various distribution methods.
• Enhance customer service quality.
• Define the fundamental components of a retail strategy.
• Build and maintain a competitive edge in the retail environment.
• Apply practical approaches and techniques to develop a successful retail model.

Training Methodology:

• Case studies
• Simulations
• Hands-on projects
• Group discussions
• Workshops
• Role plays

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Basics of Retail Management

• Understanding retail business operations and management.
• Communicating and meeting customer expectations.
• Delivering on customer needs and expectations.
• Exploring various retail formats.
• Understanding the retail store environment.
• Organizing human resources in a retail setting.

Unit 2: Retail Distribution and Inventory Resourcing

• Understanding retail business management distribution channels.
• Evaluating outsourcing vs. in-house distribution.
• Enhancing online retail distribution.
• Basic principles of inventory management.
• Techniques for leveraging information systems in planning and control.

Unit 3: The Warehouse as a Strategic Location Function

• Rationale for retail warehouses in the supply chain.
• Functions of warehouses and their role in retail management.
• Integrating warehouses into retail distribution frameworks.
• Sorting and stockpiling in warehouse management.
• Factors affecting warehouse supply and demand.
• Principles of warehouse operations, including ABC Analysis and the 80/20 rule.
• Managing throughput and product shapes.

Unit 4: Contemporary Layouts, Approaches, Tools, and Equipment

• Options for receiving procedures in retail management.
• Different types of storage solutions.
• Picking/assembly alternatives.
• Dispatching procedures in retail.
• Improving process flow organization in warehouses.
• Selecting appropriate equipment and racking systems.
• Architectural features and designs of warehouse spaces.
• Strategic and operational decision-making.

Unit 5: Relationship Between Productivity and Service Levels

• Analyzing fixed and variable costs in retail.
• Understanding normal cost elements in retail management.
• Techniques for improving productivity and performance.
• Setting targets for productivity and cost control.
• Addressing temporal requirements and marketing elements.
• Meeting customer expectations and enhancing service levels.
• Understanding the impact of poor service on retail performance.