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UK retailers trying to manage longer and more complex global supply chains can now take advantage of e2e, a new order-to-shelf solution that combines the freight transportation and third party logistics expertise of EGL Eagle Global Logistics and TDG.


e2e recognises the changing dynamics of retail supply chains. Some 75% of products destined for the EU, for example, are now sourced outside of Europe while China’s expanding range of goods – from televisions and tools to clothing and crockery – are available at 25-50% less cost that comparable goods from developed countries.


Geoff Dent, vice-president, sales and marketing for EGL’s EMEA region, says: “The demands of consumers for greater variety, frequency, choice and availability are growing inexorably and this is putting retailer’s supply chains under an unprecedented level of pressure. Between 10 and 30% of their costs are associated with supply chains yet there is mounting evidence to suggest that they are managed sub-optimally. “e2e “changes this by taking the supply chain to the next level.”


  “e2e “will use the combined expertise of EGL together with TDG to develop and operate integrated end-to-end supply chains that better manage the international product flows generated by global sourcing. Improving end-to-end visibility of the chain enables importers to make decisions earlier, creating a more agile supply chain that’s better able to respond to changes in consumer demand.


The product is designed to help retailers reduce lead times, inventories and associated storage costs and reduce product costs by delivering efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain. 


David Garman, chief executive of TDG, adds: “We are going to retail customers and asking whether their existing supply chain can respond quickly to changes in demand, whether it enables them to reduce inventory whilst maximising on-shelf availability and if it provides year-on-year cost savings.


“We are confident “e2e “can do all of this as well as enabling new sourcing options or categories to be introduced and giving true visibility of end-to-end supply chain cost and performance. Our information systems also give retailers the visibility they need to make decisions that generate benefits. We can then execute the physical activities to deliver these benefits.”


The IT infrastructure supporting “e2e “enables customers to see purchase order status and stock levels at each stage of their supply chain and use this information to make decisions versus forecast and demand for a particular stock keeping unit (SKU). This improved level of supply chain management gives retailers the flexibility to cancel or accelerate an order, place a new order to ensure stock is available, hold stock back, opt for slower or faster modes of transportation, utilise port and container storage, cross dock product through a UK distribution centre or ship direct to store. In each case, the customer’s decision is executed by “e2e “