¶ … E-Groceries Primary Data Collection

Secondary Data Collection

Performance evaluation of the optimized supply chains

McLane e-grocery

Carrefour Ooshop e-grocery

Logistics Optimization

Structural decisions items of operations strategy in logistics

Hardware of the firm

Operational Facilities

Operational Capacity

Process technology

Supply Network

Infrastructure decision areas

Software of the organization

Planning and control

Quality

Organizational Structure

Comparison of structural and infrastructural logistical operations management decisions

Horizons

Capital Investment

Globalization and Logistics Optimization

Logistical optimization models

Challenges in e-grocery Logistics

E-grocery logistical solution

Store-based order picking model

Figure: Store-based order picking model

Store-based order picking for attended goods reception

Store-based order picking for unattended goods reception

Dedicated order picking model

Figure: Dedicated order picking model

Delivery from dedicated centers for attended goods reception

Delivery from dedicated centers for unattended goods reception

Conclusion

E-basic needs frameworks so that organizations can get beneficial

Execution methodology

Distinctive logistical results

Recognize e-basic framework

E-basic framework

E-basic model for store-based pickup

E-basic dedicated distribution center model

Assessment of distinctive logistical results

Figure: Cost as percentage of Sales for LDC and VDC 41

E-basic need retailing

Logistical results with most incredible potential in distinctive market scenarios

Right blending of logistical results

Communication conduct of a logistics framework

Furnishing unattended gathering results: 44

Controls and regulations on temperature and hygiene: 45

Promoting mission of the organization: 46

Carrying sub-frameworks together: 46

References: 48

Summary:

The summary will provide an overall understanding of the learning gained through review of the secondary literature. The learning gained concerning the importance of logistics as a business process and its relevance for retail business is highlighted below. The e-grocery logistics have a high value in e-commerce operations in terms of its cost and investment required to adopt a model for operations. The e-grocery retailing market is also different depending on the overall country culture, geographic location, income levels, and various other external market-based factors. Therefore the relevance of market factors is also addressed in the literature review.

Logistics has a significant impact in retail industry in terms of timely delivery, cost of delivery, stock availability, and assembling of stocks. The stock handling operations cost is recorded in terms of overheads and as a result it influences the overall business performance. The logistics operations are integrated with technology over the period of time to offer enhanced results and reduce cost of operations. The logistical solutions and supply chain effects customer -- supplier relationships. The usage of RFIDS, Just In Time (JIT), and Vendor Managed Inventories (VMI) has gained attention of researchers especially in the retail industry.

The increased usage of technology has created room for integrating e-commerce in grocery business enabling the organizations to offer e-grocery solutions. The e-grocery logistics are distinct in their requirements as compared with other retail logistics frameworks. The capability required to handle food and fresh products along with the requirement to manage cost of operations has a huge impact on business performance of retailers. The additional factor involved in handling temperature sensitive products is the attended and unattended receipt of deliveries. It causes the business to adopt a commercially viable logistical framework for maintain profitability and competitiveness. The e-grocery logistical frameworks are required to maintain an efficient balance between the capital investment, cost of operations, and profitability. The impact of turnover on e-grocery logistics is also a notable factor.

The e-grocery market has not gained a large share in the developed markets. The e-grocery market in United States market is estimated to have 3% to 5% market share. The European market is also similar with a 2.5% to 4% to share for e-grocery. The e-grocery business in various markets has incurred loss in initial stages and caused various retailers to close their operations. The huge retail giants including Wal-Mart, Sainsbury, Carrefour, and Tesco are operating their e-commerce-based operations through various approaches. It is also noted that the business requirements for e-grocery retailing are also different in terms of market factors and operational strategy.

Research Methodology:

The research is denoted as a scientific attempt to address the unexplored and improve already explored areas in a particular subject. The application of knowledge and experience to understand the areas that are less exposed or improve the exposure of these areas of a subject is the primary focus...

The research is also known for its capabilities to develop knowledge and theory for practical implementations. The research process starts with the identification of research opportunities in a specific area of interest. The critical examination of the identified opportunities is also one of the major stages in moving forward towards research process. The theory and framework of reference should be coherent with the adoptability of generalized theory applicability (Silverman, 2010).
The rigorous scientific activity of research provides a chance for systematic development and acquisition of knowledge. The effective research should also adhere to the principles of providing effective answers to the question raised in the process. The relationship between variables is investigated through qualitative and quantitative paradigms of research. The causes and effects of variables on each other are also one of the major achievements of research (Silverman, 2010).

The adopted research methodology is also an important factor in determining the effectiveness and applicability of the theoretical assumptions. The research methodology can be based on one of the above mentioned paradigms. It can also be developed on the basis of combined research program. The combined methodology of research design incorporates the qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The validation process of the research is also an important factor that should be addressed with care in order to implement the findings and results of the research within the practice. The current research methodology is explained in detail addressing the research design, population, and methods used for data collection. Furthermore the secondary sections are dedicated for primary and secondary methods of data collection. The ethical considerations for performing the research are also addressed below.

Research Design:

Research design provides a mechanism for specifying procedural steps to be taken for collection and analysis of needed information which can be broadly categorized into quantitative and qualitative research. Each of these paradigms has their own strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore the scope of study is also determined by the research design used in the investigation. The use of quantitative research design is supported with the notion that the researcher focuses on the objective information which provides the study with a significant degree of reliability and validity. Along with that the numerical information which is a defining feature of quantitative study provides the researcher with the ease of tabulating the data. However one major limitation evident in the use of quantitative approach is the emphasis on objective information, which can result in loss of some important aspects of information.

Qualitative research design on the other hand is able to address this limitation by providing the researcher with an access to the in-depth information about an area of investigation. It allows the researcher to gather detailed information about the opinion and perspectives held by the individuals. The advantage of accessing detailed information can also pose a limitation to the researcher as it can become difficult to generalize the information on the population of the study since each individual case is different from the other ones. The heightened focus on subjectivity creates a significant level of knowledge about perception of individuals, but the researcher can have difficulty in drawing inferences that can be generalized across the other similar cases.

The current study has been based on qualitative research paradigm. The reason for making this selection is that the researcher intends to use secondary sources of information such as books and journals that will provide detailed information about the development of an optimized model for e-food logistics. The framework will not only enable the business to perform its functioning in efficient and effective manner but at the same time it is also able to be generalized for e-basics of food, perishable goods, and logistics. The research will also focus to develop an understanding of the system through gathering primary information from major organizations dealing in the food supplies. The purpose of conducting such research is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the e-logistics system in food industry. The study will also cater the needs of market through providing a validated and applicable e-basic mechanism for food supplies. The use of secondary data is in alignment with the qualitative research design, as it allows the researcher to develop a framework on the basis of prior researches. Moreover the primary data gathered form the industry sources interview will also be used to extract qualitative information which is also aligned with the basic study framework.

Bryman and Bell (2007) have outlined the steps included in the qualitative research. The research process is initiated by the development of research questions. In the next phase, the researcher identifies the sample, and moves on to the gathering of relevant information from the targeted sample. Once the data collection process has been completed, the researcher could draw inferences from it, which could be further incorporated into the already existing theoretical framework. Finally, these inferences could be compiled in the report format with concluding remarks (Bryman et al., 2007). Similar format has been adopted for the current study, with the researcher using qualitative questions and hypotheses to direct the process of data collection. Along with that the identification of e-basic food logistics as sample firms has further…