John Lewis & Partners has introduced software to provide it with real-time visibility over deliveries to its stores as it prepares for a surge in click and collect.
The Live Management module from Paragon will allow the retailer’s central transport office to share information on shipments with managers across its store network.
This will include visibility over the exact arrival time of each delivery vehicle, allowing the retailer to increase vehicle turnaround speed and ensure availability of stock management partners.
Ben Farrell, head of central operations and transport at John Lewis & Partners, said the ability to quickly turn around deliveries was vital as the peak period approaches.
The company expects customers to order 500,000 items on Black Friday and over 2 million in the four-day period leading up to Cyber Monday. It expects 55% of these orders to be fulfilled via click and collect, with this figure rising to 90% in the run-up to Christmas.
John Lewis already makes use of Paragon’s routing and scheduling software in creating daily transport plans to replenish store inventory.
Farrell said: “Consumer expectations are increasing year on year making the market more competitive than it has ever been.
“When we make a customer service pledge, we absolutely must deliver on the promise, but it has to be done in the most efficient way possible.
“Successful supply chain management in a digital world is all about visibility. By adding Paragon Live Management to our existing Paragon solution we can quickly share vital information across the Partnership.”
Farrell said that continuously improving the retailer’s logistics operation was crucial in helping the company achieve better customer service and minimising operating costs.
“Planning more tightly so we can make better use of our resources and target continuous improvement is one of a number of ways we achieve this.”
