The importance of supply chain management Essay

The importance of supply chain management - Essay Example Supply chain management has become an important topic of concern for many companies, who rely on getting a huge market for their highly competitive products. Supply chain management helps in the proper management of resources and a far more efficient way of distribution. Supply chain management is a fast and emerging concept in the distribution of goods in supermarkets. Huge international corporations such as Dell, Kodak, Gillette, Unilever and Wal-Mart have all introduced SCM. Therefore, I, as an SCM consultant have been asked to analyze the supply chain management of the fashion department of the Co-Op supermarket, and address and provide a few solutions to the concerns of the board of directors, which are quite valid. Fashion has an allure for many women in the United States. Therefore, the fashion department of the supermarket has done quite well. However, with the recent awareness of the problems of environment, many women have become largely concerned about the origination of these fashion products. Hence, supermarkets are faced with a dilemma. They have to remain competitive, offer low prices to customers and respond to certain other needs of customers, quite unrelated to the specification of the product, itself. The Supply Chain Management is an issue of such vital importance because the globalized world that we live in, has spurred off many benefits, as well as many problems. Market segmentation has occurred, where many consumers may become concerned with the environment. Co-op supermarket has an ethical policy, which takes many preferences of the consumers. Customer responsiveness is quite significant; therefore, consumer feedback has to be integrated into daily operations (Wisner, Tan & Le ong 2008, p. 26). The board of directors has become increasingly concerned over the channel of distribution of the fashion products, since they are manufactured in China, and are shipped across the globe to the United States. The concern is quite logical and merits consideration. According to Wisner, Tan and Leong, in their book â€Å"Principles of Supply Chain Management†, the greening of supply chains is important, because they suit the particular needs of the customers, especially in the case of Co-Op supermarket. Code of ethics is an important component of the workings of the Co-Op supermarket, the company prides in it. Therefore, ethical policy needs revision if the customer preferences have to be catered. The book mentions that the entire chain of distribution from storing, packaging, repackaging, transit and delivery have a significant threat to the environment. The threat to the environment comes in the form of air pollution, congestion, global warming and other forms of industrial pollution. In the case of shipment, whether by air or by sea, pollution is created, which inevitably leads to Global Warming. The fashion products can also be not manufactured in the United States, since the production can become highly expensive, because of expensive labor. However, products in China are manufactured quite cheaply. Therefore, even at the cost of ethical policy, the supermarket cannot forgo its competitiveness in the market. Moreover, the supermarket cannot only stock products from the native country, because this denies consumer the choice and variety of different products. Therefore, the supermarket is faced with a dilemma. If it is to maintain a market of the fashion products, it needs to address the concerns of many consumers who like to preserve the integrity of the

Consumer Compliance- Discussion Post 4 Assignment

Consumer Compliance- Discussion Post 4 - Assignment Example CFPB and FTC both have limited powers to sue any party but are free to intervene in the litigation. Both agencies coordinate their activities in ensuring elimination of task duplication. For instance, both bodies would inform each other of an investigation and enforcement of actions against any party that exploits consumers. FTC and FFPB both conduct a joint customers’ education in promoting consistency of information and proper knowledge about the use of resources (FTC, 2012). CFPB protects consumers against exploitation by banking institutions and credit unions. FTC, however, does not serve to protect consumers over banks and credit unions. FTC develops auto financial tips on its website in conjunction with American Financial Services Association and National Automobile Dealers Association. CFPB, however, does not provide financial tips. CFPB gathers consumers’ complaints on its website and forwards them to relevant authorities that resolve consumers’ grievances. The strategy that CFPB uses in consumers’ protection is strict and firm while FTC’s web site is neutral and adopts no strict measures in solving the problems of customers (Consumer Financial Service Group, 2011). Consumer Financial Service Group. (2011, July 7). How the CFPB and the FTC interact (part 1). CFPB Monitor. Retrieved May 13, 2015 from http://www.cfpbmonitor.com/2011/07/07/how-the-cfpb-and-the-ftc-interact-part-i/ Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2012, January 23). Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Pledge to Work Together to Protect Consumers. Press Release. Retrieved May 13, 2015 from