State of retail: the Canadian report

Summary:

The retail sector plays a key role in bridging production and consumption, and as a result has significant direct and indirect effects on the Canadian economy. The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has partnered with Industry Canada to undertake the first Canadian State of Retail report. This unique analysis is intended to help Canadian retail sector executives as well as decision makers enhance their understanding of current market trends, the strategic significance of retail sector innovation and practices that improve business competitiveness across industries.


Highlights

The retail sectorFootnote i plays a key role in bridging production and consumption, and as a result has significant direct and indirect effects on the Canadian economy. While directly contributing $74.2B to Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009, the retail sector affects other industries as well through its pioneering of innovative practices.

The retail sector's productivity growth and success are spurred by innovation in criticalareas, including key performance indicators (KPI) measurement, customer relationship management (CRM), e–commerce, and supply chain mandates.Footnote ii While retail supply chain mandates have directly improved retailers' bottom lines, they have also contributed to business benefits in other industries. Whether through collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishing (CPFR) or sustainability initiatives, the competitiveness of other industries has increased by adopting practices developed within the retail sector.

The ability to access and utilize strategic information and performance indicators indecision making enables retailers to focus on initiatives that deliver a strong return oninvestment. For this reason, Industry Canada has partnered with the Retail Council ofCanada (RCC) to undertake the first Canadian State of Retail report. This unique analysis is intended to help Canadian retail sector executives as well as decision makers enhance their understanding of current market trends, the strategic significance of retail sector innovation and practices that improve business competitiveness across industries.

Key findings

  • Cost of goods sold (COGS), the need to control non–revenue related expenses, and static merchandise pricing are the leading business pressures for North American retail firms.
  • The retail sector invested:
    • $5.9B in machinery and equipment, of which $1.6B was in information andcommunication technologies (ICT) in 2008, greater than both the Canadian manufacturing sector and the U.S. retail sector in terms of dollars invested in ICTper GDP.
    • $5.5B in infrastructure and led to a further $2.7B invested by other industries in thedevelopment of shopping centres, plazas, malls and stores in 2007.
    • $1.0B in logistics and transportation services in 2008.
  • The share of the retail market in Canada has shifted steadily toward chain stores over thepast several years.
  • The integration of advanced technologies into core business practices has contributedto the retail sector outpacing the Canadian economy in terms of labour and multifactorproductivity growth.
  • Retailers have developed process innovations through their global supply chain mandatesthat have been broadly adopted by other sectors, including automotive, aerospace, andindustrial electronics manufacturing.
  • The retail sector is a leader in incorporating sustainability mandates that deliver businessand environmental benefits to the entire consumer product goods global value chain.
  • Best–in–Class retailers are more likely to adopt enterprise–wide business analytics andinventory visibility applications, utilize customer demographics and demand trends todrive their marketing initiatives, and implement a combination of technologies to facilitatethe achievement of business goals.

Background

Canadian retailers need quality information on drivers, future trends and best practicesto succeed in the highly competitive globalized marketplace. This strategic information canalso be used to identify competitiveness factors, develop benchmarks, justify investment andinnovation decisions, and help inform decision makers of current and future retail sectorneeds. Also, the retail sector's innovative business practices can serve as leading indicators forinnovation by non–consumer product goods manufacturing sectors. In this context, the RetailCouncil of Canada (RCC) partnered with Industry Canada to undertake the first Canadian State of Retail report.

This report provides Canadian retailers and decision makers with insights on the:

  • Top business drivers facing retailers;
  • Retail sector activities including financial performance measures by trade group;
  • Key performance indicators for chain and non–chain stores, analyzed by trade group, forkey financial and supply chain agility metrics;
  • Innovative practices by retailers, including specific examples of organizational, process,marketing, and service innovation integrated into retailing operations; and
  • Knowledge and process management practices by Best–in–Class (BiC)Footnote iii retail firms enabling retailers to benchmark their performance in relation to industry leaders.

Approach and methodology

This report is based on a collaborative undertaking between RCC and Industry Canada's Service Industries and Consumer Products Branch. The RCC research committee defined industry needs,drivers, and metrics and offered valuable insights from an industry perspective. By using informationfrom industry partners and international research organizations, and by applying economic modelsdeveloped in–house, Industry Canada provided the overall analysis and brought together all thecomponents needed to produce Canada's first State of Retail report.

Industry Canada's analysis draws upon Statistics Canada data from the Census, Labour Force Survey,Annual Retail Trade Survey, Survey on Electronic Commerce and Technology, and GDP tables. For the U.S., Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis data were used.

Retail drivers for competitiveness

In a highly competitive sector with traditionally low profit margins, controlling costs has a major impact on a retail firm's profitability. As a result, the priority of retailers emerging from the global economic downturn is to focus on cost control rather than revenue growth. Best–in–Class (BiC) firms most often identified "cost of goods sold" (COGS, i.e., procurement, landing, transportation, selling costs) as the top business driver (Figure 1). Cost centres that are not directly operations related have been identified as a secondary target in retailers' efforts to control costs.1

Figure 1: Top business drivers facing BiC retailers1

Figure 1:  Top business drivers facing BiC retailers (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 1

Figure 1: Top business drivers facing best–in–class retailers1
  % of firms
Cost of goods sold 52%
The need to control non–revenue related expenses 33%
Static merchandise pricing 27%
Response to competitive strategies 24%

An additional retailer focus is the ability to respond quickly to changes in customer demand. Thus, BiC firms were likely to consider increasing their investment in innovation to develop dynamic pricing techniques that can quickly reflect market conditions.1

Drivers for retail distribution investment

As retailers further integrate global production processes into their business, efficient and effective management of their distribution systems has become increasingly challenging. This has led to most large retailers committing to maintain or increase their investment to improve their supply chain management.2 A key driver for investment in retail distribution is managing increased lead timesFootnote iv for product delivery (Figure 2). Overall, integrating into global value chains while responding better to market demands are driving investment in retail distribution activities.4

Figure 2: Top drivers for retail distribution investment3

Figure 2:  Top drivers for retail distribution investment (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 2

Figure 2:Top drivers for retail distribution investment3
  % of firms
Increased lead times for product delivery 32%
Low inventory turns 29%
High distribution and transportation costs 27%
High inventory costs/COGS 24%
Increase in complexity due to multi–channel retailing 24%
High number of out–of–stock occurrences 20%

A common response to manage increased lead times is to raise inventory levels, which decreases the likelihood of a stock-outFootnote v but also leads to increased total landed cost.Footnote vi Leading retailers have taken an alternative approach to this challenge by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of product flows throughout their global value chains. Collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment (CPFR) between suppliers and retailers have enabled retailers to lower their inventory levels and the frequency of stock outs, while increasing their inventory turnover.Footnote vii The results of increasing inventory turns for retailers are two–fold: retailers lower their handling costs (and ultimately COGS) while at the same time avoiding having to depreciate sale items that are not on the shelves in the correct quantity, and at the right time. Overall, increasing agility and responsiveness to changes in the supply chain allows retailers to hold less inventory and lower costs while raising the level of customer service.4

Retail sector activity

The retail sector is a vital part of Canada's economy and society. The direct contribution of retail trade to the economy was $74.2B in 2009, representing 6.2 percent of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP). The rate of Canada's retail sector GDP growth was 34 percent faster than the U.S. retail sector and 96 percent greater than the Canadian economy between 2004 and 2008.5 Retail employment grew 2.4 percent per year from 2002 to 2009 while employing 2.0 million people, or 11.9 percent of the total working population in 2009.6

Through its investments in information and communication technologies (ICT), commercial infrastructure, and logistics and transportation services, the retail sector hassignificantly affected other sectors of the economy. The retail sector invested:

  • $5.9B in machinery and equipment, including $1.6B in ICT in 2008, greater than both the Canadian manufacturing sector and the U.S. retail sector in terms of dollars invested in ICT per GDP;6, 7
  • $5.5B in infrastructure and led to a further $2.7B invested by other industries in the development of shopping centres, plazas, malls and stores in 2007;6 and
  • $1.0B in logistics and transportation services in 2008 (e.g., value–added distribution centres).8

Sales & profitability

After a prolonged period of growth, Canadian retail sector sales decreased in the last quarter of 2008 and through the first three quarters of 2009 (Figure 3). The impact of the economic downturn on sales of the Canadian retail sector varied more among the economic regions of the country than on a product line basis.4 The Alberta and British Columbia retail sectors had the largest percentage sales decline amongst the Canadian provinces during the economic downturn.6

The economic downturn affected the sales of each retail trade group differently. Home furnishing stores, furniture stores, home electronics and appliance stores, and home centres and hardware stores experienced some of the largest year–over–year sales decreases through the first three quarters of 2009. Meanwhile, the sales growth of supermarkets, pharmacies and personal care stores, and department stores and general merchandise stores remained positive throughout the downturn on a year–over–year basis.6

Although the Canadian retail sector experienced negative annual growth over four quarters due to the economic downturn, its growth has consistently outpaced the U.S. retail sector over the past several years. In addition, the sales of the Canadian retail sector were less affected by the global economic crisis than that of the U.S. retail sector.5 American retail executives cited low consumer confidence as a major concern of their operations in early 2009.2

Figure 3: Retail sector year-over-year sales growth (2007-2009, by quarter)5

Figure 3:  Retail sector year-over-year sales growth (2007-2009, by quarter) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 3

Figure 3: Retail sector year–over–year sales growth (2007–2009, by quarter)5
% growth
    United States Canada
2007 Q1 3.0% 6.3%
Q2 3.0% 7.3%
Q3 2.5% 3.9%
Q4 4.4% 5.8%
2008 Q1 3.3% 6.2%
Q2 2.0% 3.6%
Q3 0.7% 5.2%
Q4 -8.7% -0.9%
2009 Q1 -11.6% -6.0%
Q2 -10.6% -5.2%
Q3 -7.8% -3.5%
Q4 2.2% 2.3%

Although retail sales have decreased during the economic downturn, the sector has remained consistently profitable (Figure 4) in part due to better control of global sourcing activities and responsiveness to changes in consumer demand. Also, retailers are moving beyond operational improvements based solely on measuring averages. Managing and controlling the variability in their operations — especially regarding their supply chain — is driving their profit margin.4

Figure 4: Retail sector operating profit margin (2008-2009, by quarter)6, Footnote viii

Figure 4: Retail sector operating profit margin (2008-2009, by quarter) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 4

Figure 4: Retail sector operating profit margin (2008–2009, by quarter)6, Footnote viii
% margin
2008 Q1 3.8%
Q2 3.7%
Q3 3.7%
Q4 3.6%
2009 Q1 3.1%
Q2 2.9%
Q3 3.0%
Q4 3.1%

Chain and non–chain stores analysis

Over the past several years the share of the retail market in Canada has shifted steadily toward chain storesFootnote ix, with their market share increasing from 39 percent in 1999 to 47 percent in 2008.9 Chain stores are particularly dominant among clothing stores, and department stores and general merchandise stores, with respectively 79 percent and 77 percent of store–based revenues accountedfor by chain stores (Figure 5).Footnote x Pharmacies and personal care stores are one of the few trade groups where non-chain stores have much larger revenues than their chain counterparts. This trend is attributable to regulations in several provinces requiring pharmacies to be owned and operated by a pharmacist or a corporation where the majority of directors and share owners are pharmacists.4

Figure 5: Operating revenue, by retail trade group (2008)9

Figure 5: Operating revenue, by retail trade group (2008) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 5

Figure 5: Operating revenue, by retail trade group (2008)9
  $ billions
  Chain Non–Chain
Supermarkets 44.1 28.0
Department stores and other general merchandise stores 40.5 12.1
Clothing stores 14.7 4.0
Home centres and hardware stores 12.5 9.5
Home electronics and appliance stores 10.0 4.0
Furniture stores 6.3 3.8
Pharmacies and personal care stores 5.9 25.6
Convenience and specialty food stores 3.0 10.9
Home furnishings stores 1.9 4.0

Although the operating revenues of both chain and non-chain stores have grown over the past several years, the faster growth rate of chain stores is increasing their market share. Thechain stores of the home furnishing stores, home electronics and appliance stores, and clothing stores trade groups had some of the largest increases in market share between 2002 and 2008.Footnote xi,9

Finally, return on salesFootnote xii provides insight into how much profit is generated per dollar of sales. Overall, in most trade groups, chain stores tended to have slightly greater return on sales. The business models of the various trade groups dictate their return on sales; most of the trade groups with the largest revenue show a lower return on sales compared to smaller trade groups, as their business model is based on a higher volume of sales.4, 9

Innovation & productivity in retail

It is widely accepted that innovation is central to the growth of output and productivity. Labour productivity is a measure of how efficiently an economy transforms its labour into goods and services, while multifactor productivity (MFP) represents the joint effects of many factors including entrepreneurship, economies of scale, managerial skill, new marketing practices and business models. Overall, productivity is key to economic success and the retailsector was a leader in labour productivity and MFP growth between 2002 and 2008 (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Change in multifactor and labour productivity (2002–2008)6

Figure 6: Change in multifactor and labour productivity (2002-2008) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 6

Figure 6: Change in multifactor and labour productivity (2002–2008)6
  % change
  Multifactor productivity Labour productivity
Retail 6.8% 18.9%
Canada private sector -5.2% 3.3%

From 2002 to 2008, retail MFP and labour productivity growth significantly outpaced that of the Canadian private sector. Specifically, the labour productivity increase in the retail sector was more than five times the increase in the Canadian private sector over the same time period. Furthermore, MFP increased in the retail sector by 6.8 percent while the Canadian private sector MFP decreased by 5.2 percent from 2002 to 2008.6

The retail sector has invested heavily in innovative solutions to drive its productivity gains.4 Innovation in retail is not isolated to certain practices; it is integrated into retailers' and their suppliers' core business activities to drive their competitiveness. The innovative activities undertaken by the retail sector align with the Organisation for Economic Co–operation and Development's (OECD) definitions of the different types of innovation — organizational, process, marketing, and service.10 The retail sector has been a leader in incorporating all four types of innovation into their business practices (Table 1).

Table 1: Innovation in retail
Type of innovation10 Examples in retail sector4
Organizational Performance measurement practices, supply chain mandates, supplier certification
Process Collaborative planning, forecasting andreplenishment (CPFR), advanced logistics methods, sustainability initiatives
Marketing Customer relationship management (CRM),dynamic pricing models, geographic–specific marketing, social media
Service e–Commerce (multi–channel retailing)

Organizational innovation is the implementation of a new organizational method in a firm's business practices, such as new approaches to KPI measurement or supply chain mandates. Process innovation includes the implementation of a new or significantly improved production or delivery method, such as CPFR, advanced logistics methods, and sustainability initiatives. Linking logistics networks to customer relationship management (CRM) is an example of marketing innovation by the retail sector: it is part of a new marketing method involving significant changes in product design or packaging, product placement, product promotion or pricing. Finally, service innovation is the introduction of a service that is new or significantly improved in its characteristics or intended uses. In the retail sector, this is demonstrated through the sector's development and evolution of the e–commerce and multi–channel retailing model.410

These four types of innovation within the retail sector are each discussed in more detail in the sections that follow.

  • Organizational innovation—performance measurement and supply chain mandates
  • Process innovation—sustainability in retail
  • Process & marketing innovation—advanced technology adoption in retail
  • Service innovation—e-commerce in retail

Organizational innovation — performance measurement and supply chain mandates

Developing and implementing the measurement of KPIs that are specific and tailored to each level within an organization — executive, tactical, and operational — leads to employee engagement and commitment to improving the business (Table 2). The focus at each level is toward utilizing KPI measurements where workers can have a direct impact. Metrics that focus on quality, such as achieving perfect orders and customer satisfaction ratings, are suitable KPIs to measure at the operational level. Meanwhile, the tactical level's KPI measurement should focus on operational efficiency including inventory turnover, on–time shipments, order fill rates, and stock outs. Finally, the focus of KPI measurement at the executive level is toward business strategy, with specific metrics such as return on investment, profit margin, operating costs, comparable store sales, product line performance, as well as customer preferences.4, 11

Table 2: KPI measurement in retail
KPI measurement at all levels of the organization4
Executive Return on investment, profit margin, operating costs, comparable store sales
Tactical Inventory turnover, on-time shipments, stock outs
Operational Perfect orders, after-sales customer satisfaction ratings
KPI measurement with supply chain partners4
KPI dashboards and rewards
  • Partners
  • Group levels
  • Sites

In the retail sector, the organizational innovation in KPI measurement extends beyondinternal metrics to include supply chain partners through supply chain mandates and specifically the use of KPI dashboards and reward systems. One example of retailers and supply chain partners using joint KPI measurement is the establishment of common goals for a metric (e.g., percentage of perfect orders) and attributing a dollar amount to the achievement of the goal.4

Among the KPIs utilized in the retail sector, one fundamental aspect is supply chain agility asinventory often represents a large share of retailers' assets. Sales, profitability and cash flow are directly related to how efficiently and effectively a retailer utilizes its inventory. Inventory turnoverFootnote xiii measures how quickly the merchandise of a retailer is sold and replaced over agiven time: a higher turnover generally implies a lower holding cost for the retailer. Inventory turnover is a primary KPI used to benchmark the agility of a retail firm within a trade group. Clearly, the inventory turnover rate varies among the retail trade groups as the business models for supermarkets and clothing stores, for example, are quite different. Variance can also occur within a trade group: for example non–chain supermarkets defy the general trend of higher inventory turnover of chain stores (Figure 7). This can be explained by the non–chain supermarkets' focus on food — particularly perishables — and the chain supermarkets expanding their product lines to include more non-food items.4

Figure 7: Inventory turnover, by retail trade group (2008)12

Figure 7: Inventory turnover, by retail trade group (2008) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 7

Figure 7: Inventory turnover, by retail trade group (2008)12
  Inventory turns per year
  Chain Non–chain
Supermarkets 14.3 15.4
Convenience and specialty food stores 11.2 11.5
Home electronics and appliance stores 6.4 4.8
Furniture stores 5.8 2.7
Department stores and other general merchandise stores 5.7 3.5
Pharmacies and personal care stores 4.4 5.5
Home centres and hardware stores 3.6 3.6
Clothing stores 3.4 2.4
Home furnishings stores 2.4 3.8

The supply chain agility of chain stores has improved over the past several years, as evidenced by their ability to increase inventory turnover by 2.6 percent per year between 2002 and 2008.Footnote xiv,12The largest discrepancies between the chain and non–chain stores regarding inventory turnover growth occurred in the home electronics and appliance stores, computer and software stores, specialized building materials and garden stores, and miscellaneous stores — where the chain stores of each trade group increased their inventory turnover more than 7 percent per year between 2002 and 2008.12

Another metric utilized by retailers to measure the effectiveness of their supply chain is the gross margin return on inventory (GMROI).Footnote xv GMROI is a ratio measuring the return on every dollar spent on, or invested in, inventory. GMROI is an extremely effective measure of supply chain productivity because it includes buying and pricing components, along with an inventory control aspect (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Gross margin return on inventory, by retail trade group (2008)12

Figure 8: Gross margin return on inventory, by retail trade group (2008) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 8

Figure 8: Gross margin return on inventory, by retail trade group (2008)12
  GMROI
  Chain Non–chain
Convenience and specialty food stores 5.2 4.2
Supermarkets 4.5 4.9
Clothing stores 4.0 1.6
Furniture stores 3.8 1.9
Pharmacies and personal care stores 2.5 2.7
Home electronics and appliance stores 2.4 2.6
Home furnishings stores 2.3 2.9
Department stores and other general merchandise stores 2.1 1.3
Home centres and hardware stores 1.8 1.5

GMROI can provide profitability indicators and a benchmark for retailers within a tradegroup. The GMROI metric demonstrates that it is possible for products with low gross marginand high turnover to be as profitable as those with higher margins and lower turnovers; it also demonstrates that if gross margin decreases, inventory turnover must increase to maintain the same profitability. As well, GMROI can be used within a retail firm to measure the productivity of inventory across product categories to assist in planning a retailer's merchandise mix.4

Process innovation—sustainability in retail

Retailers are leaders in integrating green supply chain management (GSCM)Footnote xvi with their suppliers. Retail chains that have implemented GSCM mandates with their suppliers achieve at least 20 percent greater improvement in distribution cost reductions, compliance and distribution efficiency.13 Retail mandates have led suppliers to improve energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste, and recycle packaging (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Main green supply chain management practices implemented in distribution activities by retail chains13

Figure 9: Main green supply chain management practices implemented in distribution activities by retail chains (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 9

Figure 9: Main green supply chain management practices implemented in distribution activities by retail chains13
  % of firms
  Retail chain — internally Retail chain — with suppliers
Energy efficiency 48% 16%
Product and packaging recycling/re–use 32% 10%
Waste reduction 26% 3%
Reduction of GHG emissions 23% 13%
Reduced packaging/increased use of biodegradable packaging 16% 3%
Use of environmentally friendly energy sources 16% 6%
Green procurement practices 13% 6%

In response to retail chain GSCM mandates, many consumer product goods (CPG)Footnote xvii manufacturers have implemented GSCM practices with their customers. Consequently, when compared with automotive, aerospace and industrial electronics manufacturing firms, CPG manufacturers are at least four times more likely to engage in energy efficiency, packaging and product recycling, or the reduction of GHG emissions in distribution activities with theircustomers (Figure 10). As a result of the retail chain GSCM success, non-CPG manufacturing industries are initiating implementation of their own GSCM mandates.4

While the first sustainability movement by retail was focused on distribution activities, the second upcoming movement is committed toward sustainability in product manufacturing, including the use of product scorecards. In this vein, CPG manufacturers are currently developing frameworks to benchmark and raise the sustainability of their operations.4

Figure 10: Main green supply chain management practices implemented by manufacturers with customers in distribution activities13

Figure 10: Main green supply chain management practices implemented by manufacturers with customers in distribution activities (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 10

Figure 10: Main green supply chain management practices implemented by manufacturers with customers in distribution activities13
  % of firms
  CPG Automotive Aerospace Industrial Electronics
Reduced packaging/increased use of biodegradable packaging 31% 5% 3% 7%
Product and packaging recycling/re–use 31% 2% 1% 2%
Energy efficiency 31% 5% 3% 2%
Reduction of GHG emissions 28% 2% 3% 2%

The business benefits achieved throughout the CPG value chain as a result of the adoption of these sustainability mandates are worth noting.14 Retail Leaders–in–SustainabilityFootnote xviii have driven GSCM initiatives in the operations of both their own firms and their suppliers. Leaders–in–Sustainability CPG manufacturers have enjoyed the most business benefits of these GSCM initiatives. Reduced distribution costs and increased distribution efficiency Footnote xix are two examples of retail sustainability mandates that have produced significant business benefits to both retailers and CPG manufacturers (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Green supply chain management business benefits — Retail and consumer product goods manufacturing Leaders–in–Sustainability13

Figure 11: GSCM business benefits - Retail and CPG manufacturing Leaders-in-Sustainability (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 11

Figure 11: Green supply chain management business benefits — Retail and CPG manufacturing Leaders–in–Sustainability13
  % of leaders
  Retailers CPG manufacturers
Compliance 100% 100%
Distribution efficiency 100% 100%
Distribution cost 40% 82%
Differentiate services 40% 82%

Further, more than 80 percent of Leaders–in–Sustainability CPG manufacturers were able to differentiate themselves from their competitors as a result of GSCM initiatives, which enabledthem to access new markets. The Leaders–in–Sustainability retail and CPG manufacturing firms also reported more easily attained compliance with domestic and international regulations as a result of GSCM initiatives.13

Process & marketing innovation—advanced technology adoption in retail

Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) innovates and enhances supply chain management by providing a common purpose and structure to retailer–manufacturer partnerships. This e–based systemFootnote xx and joint long–term commitment of a retailer, logistics and transportation service providers, and a manufacturer enables all partners to establish mutually beneficial supply chain metrics along with common incentives and goals. The key drivers behind CPFR are to reduce the frequency of stock outs in stores and to maximize retail floor space by centralizing retailers' logistics activities in distribution centres — in effect minimizing direct–to–store deliveries.4

Utilizing historical data, including seasonal considerations and trend management, as part of demand and supply management enables retailers to increase sales and reduce both stock outs and inventory carried while improving the manufacturer's production planning.15 Following asales transaction to the consumer, joint replenishment planning is integrated into the production plans of the manufacturer and the ordering process of the retailer to complete the CPFR cycle (Figure 12).

Figure 12: Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) model4

Figure 12: Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) model (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 12

Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) innovates and enhances supply chain management by providing a common purpose and structure to retailer manufacturer partnerships. Following a sales transaction to the consumer, joint replenishment planning is integrated into the production plans of the manufacturer and the ordering process of the retailer to complete the CPFR cycle. Linking the CPFR and point-of-sale information allows retailers to replenish stores with pallets that contain multiple products based on real–time or near real–time sales information.

Linking the CPFR and point-of-sale information allows retailers to replenish stores with pallets that contain multiple products based on real–time or near real-time sales information. Further innovation has enabled retailers to plan the cartonization (pallet configuration optimization) at the distribution centre based on store layouts. These innovations enable retailers to reduce costs and inventory while decreasing environmental impact. Finally, the CPFR model for some retailers includes store–to–store shipments to manage changes in customer demand on a store–to–store basis.4

Retail sector members have also collaborated with each other to develop a central registry to maintain accurate product information, ensuring that retailers and their suppliers efficiently share correct and complete product information electronically. This has resulted in improved supply chain efficiency and product safety. A centralized electronic platform enables small and medium–sized retailers, manufacturers and logistics service providers to contribute to this value–added activity.16

Although large retailers originally developed the concept of CPFR, it is now being adopted across non–CPG supply chains through the use of forecasting/demand planning software and advanced planning and scheduling (APS) (Figure 13). This planning supports the coordination of the point–of–sale, replenishment, and statistical modelling required to arrive at consensus forecasts and promotional plans. In addition, CPFR participants have access to production plans and use demand and inventory signals to optimize their replenishment efforts.4

Figure 13: Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) supply chain management innovation adoption, by manufacturing industries17

Figure 13: CPFR supply chain management innovation adoption, by manufacturing industries (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 13

Figure 13: CPFR supply chain management innovation adoption, by manufacturing industries17
  % of firms
  Use of forecasting/demand planning software Advanced planning and scheduling (APS)
Automotive 48% 63%
Automotive parts 49% 59%
Aerospace 43% 54%
Pharmaceutical and medicine 29% 54%
Industrial electronics 22% 33%
Food 21% 30%
Petroleum and coal products 12% 24%

The ability of CPFR to drive retailer competitiveness necessitates the integration of advanced technologies into core business practices. Adoption of e–based systems has enabled retailers to improve their competitiveness through targeted initiatives. Compared to other industry sectors, the retail trade sector leads the integration of e–based logistics systems to back–end and suppliers' systems.18 Regardless of firm size, retail adoption of e–based systems is more focused on logistics than CRM.18 Retailers utilize logistics technology to enhance supply chain coordination by organizing supplier deliveries and inventory management. With a predominant business–to–consumer model, retailers focus their logistics innovations oncoordinating with suppliers. A secondary key role for advanced logistics technologies is inventory management, which is more likely to be adopted by larger retailers (Figure 14).

Figure 14: Retail adoption of e–based logistics and CRM systems to manage specific functions18

Figure 14: Retail adoption of e-based logistics and CRM systems to manage specific functions (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 14

Figure 14: Retail adoption of e-based logistics and CRM systems to manage specific functions18
% of firms
  Small (1–19 employees) Medium–large (+20 employees)
Logistics functions
Organize delivery from suppliers 16% 19%
Inventory management 10% 15%
CRM functions
Collecting customer information 9% 15%
Providing online after–sales support 5% 10%

Collecting and utilizing customer information to enhance marketing strategies is a key component of e–based CRM systems. Customer information is used for cross–selling, up–sellingFootnote xxi, and geographic–specific marketing to improve customer acquisition, retention and conversion. Retailers' use of centralized customer and inventory data in CRM systems enables decision makers to introduce optimized initiatives that impact the bottom line. Proper data management allows a firm to not only better understand consumer demand and market trends to guide future initiatives but also to measure the effectiveness of current loyalty activities and track the success of up–selling and cross–selling efforts.4

In addition to data management, retailers are committing CRM efforts in both internaland external social networking initiatives. Internally, social media can provide a conduit for operational level employees to communicate ideas on how to improve business processes and enhance the shopping experience of the customer.19 Externally, retailers can utilize social media to grow customer engagement while increasing customer loyalty.20 Similar to advancedlogistics technologies, large retailers are more likely than their smaller counterparts to use e–based systems to manage their marketing and customer relations functions.18

Service innovation—e–commerce in retail

The efficiencies gained through e-based CRM and logistics systems have contributed to retailers' ability to increase their access to consumers through multiple sales channels — specifically e-commerce.Footnote xxii Retailer implementation of this service innovation increased overall retail e–commerce sales by an average of 37 percent per year between 2001 and 2007 (Figure 15).

Figure 15: Value of e–commerce retail sales (2001–2007)18

Figure 15: Value of e-commerce retail sales (2001-2007) (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 15

Figure 15: Value of e-commerce retail sales (2001–2007)18
  $ Billions
2001 0.89
2002 0.95
2003 1.95
2004 2.95
2005 2.75
2006 4.70
2007 5.97

While initial e-commerce models for retailers involved placing all of their products online, the model has evolved as a parallel operation that enables retailers to increase their market coverage beyond bricks-and-mortar locations. Today's e-commerce enables retailers to offer specialized products with high profit margins without disrupting the flow of distribution centres. Furthermore, e-commerce provides retailers a channel to consolidate clearance items in one distribution centre while increasing product selection for consumers without exhausting floor space.4

Innovation in e-commerce has also enabled retailers to focus their in-store offerings on higher-volume products, which reduces stock-outs and ultimately maximizes floor space. In addition, the option for the consumer to pick-up the product at the store enables retailers to leverage existing logistics networks by piggybacking onto normal store deliveries. Other benefits of in-store customer pick-up include lowered costs for retailers and reduced environmental impact, as well as an ensured "repeat" visit by the customer when picking up the purchased product. Also, by offering in-store pick-up, retailers have the distributionnetwork in place to efficiently manage any reverse logistics needs (i.e., returns, exchanges).4

Although online sales represent a small fraction of total retail sales, the influence e-commerce has on off-line operations is significant.19 In addition to consumers increasingly conducting product research online for their purchases in traditional bricks-and-mortar stores, e-commerce has enabled retailers to leverage their existing logistics networks, customer service and branding to drive their competitiveness.21

Skill development in retail

Innovation in the retail sector requires a diverse and complex set of skills. Needed skills in the retail sector include: operational skills that are required to deliver specific services; tactical or specialist skills that are cross-functional; and skills such as project management needed tofoster a culture of innovation (Table 3).4

As multi-channel retailing becomes further integrated into retailers' business practices, innovation will increasingly be driven by a range of overlapping skill sets. This is particularly true given that innovation within the service sector often spans entire global value chains as well as channels to market. By developing in-house solutions, retailers drive their productivity while developing and maintaining their innovation potential.23

Table 3: Skills in retail
Management and tactical occupations training focus4 (30% of workforce)24 Operational occupations training focus4 (70% of workforce)24
  • Multi-channel retailing
  • International retail markets and culture
  • Store design and planning
  • Productivity
  • Logistics management
  • Relationship marketing
  • Advanced buying process
  • Customer service
  • Merchandising
  • Product safety
  • Material handling
  • Order management
  • Sustainability

The skill development focus for those employed in operational roles (70 percent of the retail sector workforce) is oriented toward customer service, merchandising, product safety, material handling, order management, and sustainability. Meanwhile, the remaining 30 percent of the workforce (those in either a tactical or management roles) require a different focus towardskill development.4, 24

The retail sector's dramatic growth in both size and scope has created an increased need for specialty expertise in core business functions. While Canadian retailers are on par with the U.S. regarding management performance, well-managed retail firms in both countries are likely to employ more university-trained managers than poorly managed firms are.25 Understanding and leveraging knowledge in multi-channel retailing, international retail markets and culture, store design and planning, productivity, logistics management, relationship marketing, and advanced buying processes is key for tactical and managerial roles in the retail sector.4

Best-in-Class analysis

Best-in-Class (BiC) firms are defined as retailers that achieve positive results in key performance criteria: average comparable stores sales (year-over-year), average gross margin improvement (year-over-year), average customer conversion rate increase (year-over-year), and channel in–stock performance. This section examines how BiC retail firms compare to laggardsregarding their organizational and knowledge processes along with their technology adoption. BiC retailers represent those firms, regardless of size, that constitute the top 20 percent of aggregate performance scorers while laggards constitute the bottom 30 percent.1

At the corporate level, BiC firms are more likely to adopt enterprise–wide business analytics. Specifically, BiC firms are three times more likely than laggards to have enterprise–wide inventory visibility (Figure 16). Also, BiC firms invest in and implement a combination of technologies to facilitate the achievement of business goals.1

Figure 16: Retail Best-in-Class technology adoption1

Figure 16: Retail Best-in-Class technology adoption (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 16

Figure 16: Retail BiC technology adoption1
  % of firms
  Best–in–Class Laggards
Enterprise finance application 71% 21%
Enterprise–wide inventory visibility 67% 24%
Demand–driven forecasting application 42% 15%

In addition to increased technology adoption, BiC retailers are also more likely to haveorganizational and knowledge processes in place that help foster competitiveness. BiC firms are more likely than laggards to improve inventory management and operational flows through timely information integration. Real–time business analytics reporting enables BiC firms to quickly adjust to the changing playing field. In particular, BiC are seven times more able than laggards to provide real–time or near real–time reporting of KPI (Figure 17).

Figure 17: Retail Best-in-Class adoption of organizational and knowledge processes1

Figure 17: Retail Best-in-Class adoption of organizational and knowledge processes (the link to the long description is located below the image)

Description of Figure 17

Figure 17: Retail BiC adoption of organizational and knowledge processes1
  % of firms
  Best–in–Class Laggards
Ability to provide real–time or near real–time reporting of KPI 59% 8%
Ability to provide timely reporting of current and expected cost of operations 59% 29%
Ability to develop geographically–specific merchandising 41% 11%
Executive mandates for integration between front–office and back–end applications 40% 13%

BiC firms also have a stronger focus on cost factors in addition to revenue evidenced through their ability to timely report current and expected costs of operating. Finally, BiC firms are three times more likely than laggards to utilize customer demographics and demand trends to drive their marketing initiatives.1

Final remarks

The retail sector serves as a vital link between manufacturing and the end consumer. To maximize benefits from innovative retail practices, individual retailers should develop their own specific business cases and action plans consisting of a long-term vision, KPIs, return on investment targets and project time frames.

Overall, Canadian retail firms have considerable potential to continue enhancing their supply chain agility and their relationships with customers through increased adoption of logistics and customer relationship management technology and strategic integration of e-commerce into their operations. Increased adoption enables them to leverage customer relationship and supply chain management to ultimately optimize initiatives that affect thebottom line.

The BiC analysis identifies core processes including organizational and knowledgemanagement, technology adoption, and KPI measurement utilized by BiC retailers. BiCretailers distinguish themselves by improving average comparable stores sales, average gross margin, average customer conversion rate, and their high channel in-stock performance.

The findings presented in this report demonstrate that the retail sector is a leader in innovation and that it disseminates innovative practices to other industries. The research also presents the important linkages between retail drivers, firm activities and resulting business benefits. These connections can help foster a continued dialogue among stakeholders. This report also sets the stage for those interested in the retail sector, productivity, and innovationtrends to pursue new research opportunities and projects.

Annex I: data tables

Table I: Operating revenue (2008) and revenue growth (2002–2008), by trade groupFootnote xxiii
  Operating Revenue, by trade group (2008) in $ billions Operating Revenue CAGRFootnote xxiv, by trade group (2002–2008)
  Chain Non–Chain Chain Non–Chain
Total, all trade groups 213.8 240.9 7.3% 3.2%
Beer, wine and liquor stores 15.1 1.6 5.2% 3.0%
Clothing stores 14.7 4.0 5.9% -1.9%
Computer and software stores 0.4 1.8 13.9% -3.5%
Convenience and specialty food stores 3.0 10.9 4.8% 0.5%
Department stores and other generalmerchandise stores 40.5 12.1 5.3% 5.1%
Furniture stores 6.3 3.8 5.4% 1.2%
Gasoline stations 37.4 15.5 13.8% 4.2%
Home centres and hardware stores 12.5 9.5 7.5% 6.5%
Home electronics and appliance stores 10.0 4.0 12.0% 3.1%
Home furnishings stores 1.9 4.0 8.7% 2.7%
Miscellaneous store retailers 5.1 7.1 3.5% 0.9%
New car dealers 3.2 77.9 11.4% 1.3%
Pharmacies and personal care stores 5.9 25.6 2.8% 7.5%
Shoe, clothing accessories andjewellery stores 3.8 2.4 4.5% 2.8%
Specialized building materials andgarden stores 1.1 5.7 6.1% 6.4%
Sporting goods, hobby, music andbook stores 6.3 5.5 6.5% 2.2%
Supermarkets 44.1 28.0 6.3% 2.9%
Used and recreational motor vehicleand parts dealers 2.5 20.2 11.0% 7.1%

Table II: Return on sales (2008) and change in return on sales (2002–2008), by trade groupFootnote xxv
  Return on sales, by trade group (2008) Return on sales CAGR, by trade group (2002–2008)
  Chain Non–Chain Chain Non–Chain
Total, all trade groups 30% 25% -1.5% 2.1%
Beer, wine and liquor stores 46% 25% -1.7% 3.2%
Clothing stores 54% 41% 2.4% 0.4%
Computer and software stores 16% 31% -5.3% 3.2%
Convenience and specialty food stores 32% 27% -0.4% 1.3%
Department stores and other generalmerchandise stores 27% 27% 0.4% 0.6%
Furniture stores 39% 41% -0.9% 2.9%
Gasoline stations 16% 17% -9.3% -0.8%
Home centres and hardware stores 33% 30% 2.1% 1.6%
Home electronics and appliance stores 27% 35% -2.1% 2.0%
Home furnishings stores 49% 43% 1.4% 3.0%
Miscellaneous store retailers 43% 42% -0.5% 0.3%
New car dealers 14% 15% 3.6% 3.0%
Pharmacies and personal care stores 36% 32% 1.6% 1.1%
Shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery stores 54% 46% 2.0% 0.6%
Specialized building materials and garden stores 36% 37% -0.5% 4.4%
Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores 37% 38% -0.4% 1.0%
Supermarkets 24% 24% -1.8% 1.9%
Used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers 34% 25% -0.8% 3.1%

Table III: Inventory turnover (2008) and change in inventory turnover (2002–2008), by trade groupFootnote xxvi
  Inventory turnover, by trade group (2008) Inventory turnover CAGR, by trade group (2002–2008)
  Chain Non–Chain Chain Non–Chain
Total, all trade groups 7.2 4.6 2.6% -2.0%
Beer, wine and liquor stores 7.0 6.6 -0.9% 0.9%
Clothing stores 3.4 2.4 -1.8% -1.7%
Computer and software stores 9.9 7.0 8.4% 0.5%
Convenience and specialty food stores 11.2 11.5 6.6% -0.8%
Department stores and other general merchandise stores 5.7 3.5 0.8% -0.2%
Furniture stores 5.8 2.7 4.2% -2.9%
Gasoline stations 61.8 26.8 12.5% 9.8%
Home centres and hardware stores 3.6 3.6 -2.0% -1.1%
Home electronics and appliance stores 6.4 4.8 10.6% 2.0%
Home furnishings stores 2.4 3.8 -2.4% 0.1%
Miscellaneous store retailers 4.2 3.0 7.9% -0.2%
New car dealers 5.1 4.2 -1.1% -4.1%
Pharmacies and personal care stores 4.4 5.5 -1.5% 0.0%
Shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery stores 2.0 1.3 -1.8% -0.8%
Specialized building materials and garden stores 5.4 3.5 6.7% -3.8%
Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores 3.2 2.1 2.6% -2.1%
Supermarkets 14.3 15.4 -2.0% -0.1%
Used and recreational motor vehicleand parts dealers 3.1 3.0 2.3% -2.9%

Table IV: Gross margin return on inventory (GMROI) (2008) and change in GMROI (2002–2008), by trade groupFootnote xxvii
  GMROI, by trade group (2008) GMROI CAGR, by trade group (2002–2008)
  Chain Non–Chain Chain Non–Chain
Total, all trade groups 3.1 1.5 0.4% 0.7%
Beer, wine and liquor stores 5.9 2.2 -4.2% 5.1%
Clothing stores 4.0 1.6 3.1% -1.0%
Computer and software stores 1.9 3.1 1.4% 5.1%
Convenience and specialty food stores 5.2 4.2 5.9% 0.9%
Department stores and other generalmerchandise stores 2.1 1.3 1.4% 0.6%
Furniture stores 3.8 1.9 2.6% 1.8%
Gasoline stations 11.5 5.4 -0.6% 8.8%
Home centres and hardware stores 1.8 1.5 1.0% 1.1%
Home electronics and appliance stores 2.4 2.6 7.3% 5.1%
Home furnishings stores 2.3 2.9 0.2% 5.1%
Miscellaneous store retailers 3.1 2.2 6.9% 0.2%
New car dealers 0.8 0.8 3.0% -0.8%
Pharmacies and personal care stores 2.5 2.7 0.9% 1.7%
Shoe, clothing accessories andjewellery stores 2.3 1.1 2.3% 0.3%
Specialized building materials andgarden stores 3.0 2.1 5.8% 2.6%
Sporting goods, hobby, music andbook stores 1.9 1.3 2.0% -0.5%
Supermarkets 4.5 4.9 -4.3% 2.3%
Used and recreational motor vehicleand parts dealers 1.6 1.0 1.1% 1.0%

Footnotes

Footnote 1

The retail sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise.

Return to footnote i referrer

Footnote 2

Supply chain mandates refer to the system or departments within firms that ensure supply chain participants are aware of and take steps to comply with a clearly defined specification and/or standard.

Return to footnote ii referrer

Footnote 3

Best–in–Class (BiC) retail firms are defined as the top 20 percent of North American firms benchmarked to five performance metrics: average comparable store sales improvement, average gross margin improvement, average customer conversion rate increase, and channel in–stock performance.

Return to footnote iii referrer

Footnote 4

Lead time: a quantitative indicator measuring the time difference between stimulus and response. This indicator can be applied to different levels of the logistics process, for example to measure the actual time taken between the placing of an order and the delivery of a product.

Return to footnote iv referrer

Footnote 5

Stock-out: a situation where demand for an item cannot be fulfilled from the current (on–hand) inventory.

Return to footnote v referrer

Footnote 6

Total landed cost: all costs associated with making and delivering cross-border shipments, including actual costs of all the goods, inventory carrying cost, product quality cost, transportation cost, insurance and freight, custom duties and preferential rates, taxes, tariffs, and additional charges.

Return to footnote vi referrer

Footnote 7

Inventory turnover = COGS / Average inventory, where Average inventory = (Starting inventory + Closing inventory) / 2. (For example, 1 inventory turn is equal to a retailer having 365 days of inventory, 12 is 1 month of inventory, and 365 is 1 day of inventory.)

Return to footnote vii referrer

Footnote 8

Operating profit margin ( percent) = Operating profit / Operating revenue

Return to footnote viii referrer

Footnote 9

Chain stores are defined as organizations operating four or more outlets in the same industry class under the same legal ownership at any time during the survey year. Stores operating under the franchise model are usually classified as non-chain stores.

Return to footnote ix referrer

Footnote 10

For a detailed breakdown of operating revenue by chain and non-chain stores, see Annex I.

Return to footnote x referrer

Footnote 11

For a detailed breakdown of operating revenue growth by chain and non-chain stores, see Annex I.

Return to footnote xi referrer

Footnote 12

Return on sales = Gross margin as a percent of sales, where Gross margin = Total operating revenue — COGS. For a detailed breakdown of operating revenue by chain and non-chain stores, see Annex I.

Return to footnote xii referrer

Footnote 13

Inventory turnover = COGS / Average inventory, where Average inventory = (Starting inventory + Closing inventory) / 2. (For example: 1 inventory turn is equal to a retailer having 365 days of inventory, 12 is 1 month of inventory, and 365 is 1 day of inventory.) For a detailed breakdown of inventory turnover by chain and non–chain stores, see Annex I.

Return to footnote xiii referrer

Footnote 14

For a detailed breakdown of the change in inventory turnover by chain and non–chain stores, see Annex I.

Return to footnote xiv referrer

Footnote 15

GMROI = Gross margin / Average inventory. For a detailed breakdown of GMROI by chain and non–chain stores, see Annex I.

Return to footnote xv referrer

Footnote 16

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) integrates environmental thinking into supply chain management, including the introduction of technical and innovative processes into materials sourcing and selection, delivery of the final product to consumers, and end–of–life product management.

Return to footnote xvi referrer

Footnote 17

Consumer product goods (CPG) are products manufactured for the end consumer and include: apparel, food, jewellery, dolls, toys, games, cleaning products, hand and power tools, home furniture, housewares, sporting goods, linens and consumer electronics and appliances.

Return to footnote xvii referrer

Footnote 18

Leaders–in–Sustainability firms are defined as businesses that achieve positive environmental improvements in the two main GSCM practices specific to the firms' sector. For retail, these two main improvements are reduced energy consumption and decreased waste in distribution activities. For CPG manufacturers, the main improvements are energy reduction and decreased packaging in distribution activities.

Return to footnote xviii referrer

Footnote 19

Distribution efficiency is defined as having the right product distributed to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost.

Return to footnote xix referrer

Footnote 20

e-Based system — business process operationalized by the structured exchange and management of informationover networks using Internet architecture. These systems are also referred to as Internet business solutions. The network can be open (e.g., accessible to everyone through the WWW) or closed (e.g., accessible only to employees or suppliers on a LAN or WAN).

Return to footnote xx referrer

Footnote 21

Cross–selling is a sales technique in which certain additional products are recommended based on what a customer is purchasing. Up-selling is selling something that is more profitable or otherwise preferable for theseller instead of the original sale.

Return to footnote xxi referrer

Footnote 22

e–Commerce: sales over the Internet, with or without online payment. Included is the value of orders received where the commitment to purchase is made via the Internet.

Return to footnote xxii referrer

Footnote 23

Statistics Canada, Annual Retail Trade Survey. 2010.

Return to footnote xxiii referrer

Footnote 24

CAGR — compound annual growth rate

Return to footnote xxiv referrer

Footnote 25

Statistics Canada. Annual Retail Trade Survey. 2010.

Return to footnote xxv referrer

Footnote 26

Industry Canada. Based on data from Statistics Canada. Annual Retail Trade Survey. 2010

Return to footnote xxvi referrer

Footnote 27

Industry Canada. Based on data from Statistics Canada. Annual Retail Trade Survey. 2010

Return to footnote xxvii referrer

Footnote 28

Operating profit margin ( percent) = Operating profit / Operating revenue

Return to footnote viii referrer


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Aussi offert en français sous le titre L'état du commerce de détail : Le rapport canadien 2010

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