Webcast: 2009 Best Practices in Retail Warehouse/DC Operations

June 29, 2009 8:00pm EDT

Event Date:Available On-Demand June 30, 2009 @ 2 pm ET

Accelerating the distribution process - Available On-Demand June 30, 2009

When it needed to speed up its distribution process, Urban Outfitters brought outsourced logistics in house to its Reno DC. The result: Faster turnaround times and lower operating costs.

At a time when many retailers and manufacturers are outsourcing order fulfillment and logistics operations to third-party logistics providers, Urban Outfitters ended a long-standing 3PL relationship to bring its western distribution operations back in-house.

Why the change? According to Director of Distribution Ken McKinney, the company expanded its stores and brands and it needed to accelerate its supply chain—and McKinney insisted it was best done under their roof.

To make this happen, the retailer designed a facility that handles inventory that can be cross docked directly to stores or another company DC, as well as inventory that will be stored and delivered to stores at a later date. The new operation is already realizing 30% reduction in the operating cost per unit and a 40% improvement in turn time—and it has room to grow.

Join Group Editorial Director Michael Levans for this special educational webcast that will not only walk through Urban Outfitters retail DC success but will highlight retail warehouse/DC best practices being applied by some of world’s leading retailers in terms of:

• Cross docking operations

• Store replenishment

• Direct to consumer operations

Panel will include:

• Ken McKinney, director of distribution, Urban Outfitters

• Bryan Jensen, vice president, principal, St. Onge Company

• Michael Levans, Group Editorial Director, Modern Materials Handling (Moderator)

Sponsored by: Cubic Design and Dematic

Posted Jun 30, 2009