Supply Chain Management Case Study: Target's Inventory System

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is the leading large-format general merchandise and discount retailer in the U.S., challenging Wal-Mart in electronics, toys and apparel while also seeking to differentiate with higher-end fashions and products for an upscale audience. As of the close of their latest fiscal year (FY2011), Target operated approximately 1,760 stores encompassing 233,000 square feet in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The company is divided into the retail and credit card divisions and moves the majority of its products through a highly integrated network of 37 different distribution centers, which include four food distribution centers. Target is one of the most well-entrenched large format retailers in the U.S., has the ability to manage their pricing strategies at a level of accuracy and precision that is comparable to Wal-Mart (Henderson, 2001). Unlike Wal-Mart, Target concentrates on a value-based message that concentrates on quality and price differentiation to sustain their gross margins while Wal-Mart concentrates on supply chain efficiency and a continual reduction of supplier and transaction costs (Krishnamurthi, 2001).

The aim of this paper is to highlight the strategic position of the company with an overview of its internal and external environment. The study of its strategy, design and other forces, one can easily gauge why and how target has managed to become the retail giant it is today.

Businesses especially those that operate in the same industry always try to emerge the best in the market by adopting different strategies so as to become more competitive. In the retail industry where goods move in volumes, proper management of the inventory can make a big difference by making a company to be more competitive as compared to the others. In most retail business, manipulation of the supply chain functions is one of the strategies that are used to give a retailer a competitive edge over its competitors. This research paper will compare how TJ Maxx and Ross manipulate their supply chain functions to gain a competitive edge over each other. Based on the available facts, the paper will make a determination on which of the companies

The main purpose of this paper is to show my knowledge of the supply chain and relate it to Targets supply chain reviewing if target has an efficient supply chain set up. The head corporate office is in Minniapolis but target has many stores throughout the world. Their main strength is their customer service which keeps the customers remaining faithful not only to the store but to targhets personal brand as well. If you want to know the effectiveness of targets supply chain then continue to read and relate what I am saying to your pwn personal shopping experience. By the

* It details all the steps that go into efficiently running a supply chain and how they are interrelated including: analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

The pressure that Target is placing on the vendors to create unique products exclusive to the in-store only purchase will put a strain on the supplier and retailer relationship. This can create a dilemma for the vendor because it is putting limitations on the selling potential for their products (Kinicki, 2013). The vendors are more applicable to follow the trend and make the goods and services available to wherever the consumer is shopping.

A robust supply chain is needed in order to ensure that shelves stay fully stocked. Therein lies the major operations battle which Target, like its competitors, Walmart and Costco, to name a couple, must perfect in order to achieve a competitive

Target Corp. is making changes to the way it operated in hope of enhancing online sales. Target has recently hired another supply chain executive. This executive, Benjamin Cook, worked for Apple before this. The article states, "Mr. Cook 'will lead the optimization of Target’s inbound and outbound supply chain processes, including carrier transportation and last-mile delivery,' in addition to overseeing inventory and merchandise planning, the company said Wednesday." Inventory management is where a person keeps track of where the goods are located. This happens to be a big focus for target and other retail stores if they have more than one store. Target executives think that the way to fix the inventory mess is to change the shopping patterns.

The procurement section of Target’s supply chain is an essential part of how it replicate costs to customer requirements. The overall affiliation between customer fulfillment and the supply chain are closely linked to products that are designated based on benchmarks that have been appropriately matched to target costing structured with market criticism and feedback provided. When focusing on purchasing products to sell to customers, the organization selects and processes the best option that best matches Target’s

The key points of the case related to Target’s supply chain include the dilemma of what is a belief to some is too many choices made available to consumers, the number of stock-outs occurring that hurt sales, and the need to focus on products in which will more be more competitive in their field (Solomon, Marshall, & Stuart, 2018). As an illustration, in the article concerning the case, the CEO, Brian Cornell, is of the opinion that Target’s goal should be to spotlight a product mix that is popular such as with clothing, decoration items, infant supplies, and healthy living. For the moment, they have a broad product line with many extensions which even includes a supply of fresh market foods and groceries. Although the company has successfully managed to grow throughout the years they are now having difficulties because of what they believe are stock issues.

Target Corporation is the fourth largest retailer in the United States. The company operates 1,556 stores in 47 states. The company has three main retail divisions: Target Stores, Mervyn’s and Marshall Fields. Target Stores is the number two discount retailer in the country, trailing only Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. they have distinguished itself from its competitors by offering upscale, fashion-conscious products at affordable prices (Funding Universe, n.d.). Targets supply chain actives has been an important part of and one of the most significant reasons for its huge growth and success. The purpose of paper is to analyze Targets supply chain and related actives to understand its effectiveness and gain a better understanding on how their supply chain contributes to the company’s growth and success.

Currently Target Corp operates nearly 2,000 retail stores that are sourced through thousands of vendors, and merchandise finds its way to the stores via 22 regional distribution centers located throughout the United States. Regarding imports, Target's strategy is to route most of the imported merchandise through a small number of import distribution centers on the East & West coasts (mainly Long Beach, CA) and than transfer the goods by truck or rail to the regional distribution centers. In 2001, Target revamped its distribution systems by hiring outside consultants NTE to replace manual operations with electronic inventory and distribution systems. Before the conversion, employees working in supply-chain management relied heavily on manual faxes for much of the sourcing functions completed at the regional distribution centers, which in turn gave employees and managment limited visibility of shipments and order histories. Now a system that links trading parters in a centralized online system is utilized that allows the company to concentrate on orders and their shipments in the early stages of the supply chain. By doing so, the company can take advantage of multiple transportation options, re-route transporation when necessary, correct overruns, and schedule shipments in full trucks. he reduction in costs for supply-chain management have been substantial, allowing Target Corp to continue offering its

In an organization, product quality and delivery is largely dependent on the supply chain management which in turn affects the overall profitability. Therefore, supply chain quality control is essential in any organization to ensure a competitive edge in the industry and minimizing the operating costs. Firms are thus competing on the innovation front to stay upfront in meeting customer expectations. One of the industry in which advances in supply chain management have been evolving rapidly is the retail industry. Due to the changing nature of the competitiveness in the retail industry, supply chain managers must come up with expansion plans that align with multiple-channel and geographic growth.

Supply chains represent the procurement, production and distribution activities of an organisation. Within a supply chain, these activities are viewed as linked and reliant on one another to produce the final outcome. It is believed that if one component of the chain fails, the whole chain is broken and product/service delivery goals will not be achieved.

Even though direct competition has decreased, the tendency of retailers to get their products directly from manufacturers puts the company in a position of relooking its competitive edge as a distributor. The marketplace is shifting from an individuality to supply chain performance – the ability to meet end-customers needs through product availability and responsive and on-time delivery. Supply chain performance crosses both functional lines and company boundaries. Brunswick must change their way to fill customer orders faster and more efficiently than the competition.