Just 11% of CPG firms have real-time supply chain data

Just 11 per cent of retail and manufacturing businesses have access to data that is less than an hour old, with more than three quarters experiencing issues with
their supply chain after the start of COVID-19.

A survey of more than 700 senior business leaders within retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and manufacturing companies worldwide by Vitreous World for data
technology provider Intersystems, found that the pandemic has left many companies with supply chain challenges and struggling to meet rapid changes in consumer demand.

A total of 45 per cent said a lack of flexibility in existing processes was their biggest technology-specific supply chain challenge, followed by difficulty performing analytics to support the business (40 per cent) and a lack of accurate end-to-end visibility and reporting (40 per cent).

When it comes to limited access to real-time data, the overwhelming majority of business managers are working with data that is out of data by the time it reaches them - 15 per cent of whom have to wait up to three days.

The number of disparate systems in use within the supply chain are likely contributing to these challenges, according to Intersystems analysis, as more than a third (36 per cent) of organisations currently use six or seven software products throughout their entire end-to-end supply chain through distribution processes.

Joe Lichtenberg, product and industry marketing specialist at InterSystems, said: “The supply chain IT issues being faced by retail, CPG, and manufacturing organisations certainly aren’t new; however, COVID-19 has propelled them to the surface.

“They’ve highlighted the profound impact issues such as having largely manual processes within the supply chain and a lack of flexibility can have on their ability to respond to rapidly changing requirements," he continued, adding: "In particular, the lack of visibility and access to data is likely to be impeding their ability to use this information to achieve business goals and improve operations to meet demand.”

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Poundland significantly reduces antisocial behaviour, aggression and shoplifting with Motorola Solutions VT100 body cameras
Retail should not be a high-risk occupation. As a company, we are focused on listening to our colleagues and customers to help them with the issues they are facing in-store and so far, the feedback on our body cameras has been excellent. They act as a great visual deterrent, help to de-escalate situations and overall, this project has significantly aided our goal to make the retail environment safer.

For further information on Motorola Solutions’ retail security products, including body cameras, click here.

Supplying demand: how fashion retailers can meet the needs of customers and still be sustainable
The fashion industry is no stranger to breaking the mould and setting trends, but the pursuit of style can come at a huge cost to the environment.

New legislation, such as the European Union's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, will set mandatory minimums for the inclusion of recycled fibres in textiles, making them longer-lasting and easier to repair.

Advertisement