These actors in the chain are the first to get feedback when there is something wrong with a product. They (stores and supermarkets) are also often blamed for problems with merchandise, because they are sometimes responsible for storage, transportation, and product handling. These problems can happen inside a store or during distribution to other stores.
The operations performed at supermarkets and stores are as complex as the ones that are performed at food factories. They both have strong handling operations and responsibilities regarding storage. It is not unusual to have issues regarding spoiled food, and the question that arises is: “Was this product already rotten or did it become rotten here?”
Usually, each product owner has their own quality control process, and that make things a lot harder. When an incident occurs, parties provide evidence that absolves them of any blame, but that evidence is generally related to their internal processes. The process while transferring the product to another party is left unaddressed.
In addition, we have the distribution of products to bigger stores, where the same handling issues occur. However, these kinds of problems can happen at the store itself.
This gives us the current challenges that are faced by supermarkets:
- Managing and controlling the receipt and delivery of products
- Effectively controlling stock and the dispatch of goods between stores
- Collecting data about the product's physical location and storage
- Unpacking and transporting products to the shelves
- Controlling and being aware of product expiration dates
The majority of big and medium-sized supermarkets already have their own e-commerce networks. This results in the further adoption of technologies and software in their daily routines. As examples of technology used by these companies, we can mention stock control, the massive use of IoT to control boxes and pallets, the use of QR codes, integrated data systems to handle stock and sales, predictive models, tracking client loyalty, and so on. This shows us the increasing use of technology in this area.