Robotics marches into retail supply chain

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Last year was tough for the majority of retailers, with many seeing increased pressure on costs and margins. At the same time the industry was also trying to deliver the much-vaunted multichannel shopping experience by transforming business models and supply chain capabilities, as well as investing heavily in merchandise, demand planning and warehouse systems.

In the last quarter of 2014, retailers’ supply chain capabilities were again put to the test as many more participated in new trading events, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, than in 2013.  These events are now well established in the retail trading calendar, with savvy shoppers keen to grab heavily discounted electrical and non-food bargains ahead of Christmas.