Getting closer to the customer no matter the channel they use to shop is a major thrust for retailers. It is expected to shape retail offerings in 2015 and in the years ahead. This theme also echoed in the retail technology applications and solutions showcased at two recently concluded retail events, the NRF retail show in New York and closer home, the Retail Business Technology Exposition in London.

Paper pushing at Whitehall has, interestingly, taken a turn for the better. Spurred on by the UK government’s deficit-reduction programme, it has moved to the digital world, as civil servants increasingly collaborate, record and report online.

It’s not uncommon for supply chain analysts to lose sight of the wood for the trees by diving deep into the data at their disposal whenever retail supply or availability issues are raised. Alternatively, Supply Chain functions may retain their own team of reporting experts specifically to address this need. While it is a given that the designated analysts will do their best to respond to the issues at hand, conducting a thorough and often complex investigation can be the only way to confirm what remedial action should be taken.