For your assessment, visit a major supermarket and:
- Identify where products are running out (especially special offers and fresh foods).
- Think about the types of products that are running out and think of problems in the supply chain that could explain these shortages.
- Think of actions that major retailers can do to take to ensure that shortages are kept to a minimum.
- Choose another competing supermarket and see how availability differs.
You are then required to write a report on your findings. Consider the following as part of your report:
- An explanation of problems in the supply chain that could explain the identified shortages
- A discussion of the actions that could keep shortages to a minimum
- A benchmarking analysis of the two organisations you have visited (focussing on the differences in availability and reasons for the differences)
- The influence of changing consumer preferences on the food supply chain
- Fundamental challenges faced by the food supply chain