Lakhasly

1.It would be difficult to duplicate Walmart's Retail Link because other retailers do not have access to the same resources and supplier relationships that Walmart has.Why can't other large retailers easily duplicate Walmart's Retail Link?Retail Link connects Walmart's largest suppliers to its own inventory management system and requires them to track actual sales.Walmart's supply chain starts with its application of network technology that is used to coordinate it. They have more than 60,000 suppliers worldwide, the largest in the world.In order to know which products to order from suppliers and have in stock, Walmart must have access to information about consumer purchases.Through its EDI-based supply chain management, Walmart has a strong influence on all of its suppliers, by requiring them to use the network to respond to orders and to track actual sales in order to replenish supplies according to demand.The replenishment of supplies is dictated by the demand recorded through Retail Link's inventory management.Why is a detailed knowledge of consumer purchases at each store important to Walmart's success?Why does Walmart encourage its vendors to learn how to use Retail Link?Walmart encourages its vendors to learn how to use Retail Link because it makes it easier on the company itself.2.3.4.

1. Where does Walmart’s supply chain start? What triggers Walmart’s Retail Link system to ship goods to local Walmart stores?
   Walmart’s supply chain starts with its application of network technology that is used to coordinate it. They have more than 60,000 suppliers worldwide, the largest in the world. Retail Link connects Walmart’s largest suppliers to its own inventory management system and requires them to track actual sales. When they do this, the suppliers then know when to replenish supplies based on the demand recorded.


2. Why is a detailed knowledge of consumer purchases at each store important to Walmart’s success?
   In order to know which products to order from suppliers and have in stock, Walmart must have access to information about consumer purchases. If Walmart does not have enough of a product in demand, consumers will seek other businesses to buy their goods from and Walmart will lose customer loyalty and money. On the other hand, if Walmart orders too much of a good, it will also lose money due to inventory that is not being purchased.


3. Why can’t other large retailers easily duplicate Walmart’s Retail Link?
   It would be difficult to duplicate Walmart’s Retail Link because other retailers do not have access to the same resources and supplier relationships that Walmart has. Through its EDI-based supply chain management, Walmart has a strong influence on all of its suppliers, by requiring them to use the network to respond to orders and to track actual sales in order to replenish supplies according to demand. This influence also allowed Walmart to ensure that it does not pay for the goods until they reach the store. The capabilities of this system would be difficult for any other retailer to copy, especially if they do not have the ability to directly link their inventory management systems directly over the internet, as Walmart does.


4. Why does Walmart encourage its vendors to learn how to use Retail Link?
   Walmart encourages its vendors to learn how to use Retail Link because it makes it easier on the company itself. The replenishment of supplies is dictated by the demand recorded through Retail Link’s inventory management. It also means that Walmart does not own the goods until they arrive and have been shelved. This removes liability on Walmart because they are not responsible for lost or damaged goods. In addition, using Retail Link means they do not have to manually manage supplies; when supplies are needed, they will be delivered.