Supply Chain Management and Retailer Performance: Emerging Trends, Issues, and Implications for Research and Practice

In an environment with increasing competition and a growing need for operational efficiencies and customer orientation, retailers are looking beyond their organizational boundaries to develop and leverage the resources and capabilities of their supply chain partners to create superior value and competitive advantages in the marketplace. In this article, the authors discuss how three recent trends—global sourcing practices, multichannel routes to market, and relationship-based innovation—are transforming the retail landscape and leading to a variety of performance improvements with regard to brand image, reputation, sales and profits, innovation, and relationships. For each of these major trends, this article highlights key issues, identifies relevant literature, and offers propositions for further research.