Collaborative Replenishment Services: A New Approach to Efficient Retail Supply Chain Management

Strategic Insights -

QuickResponse Services, Inc. (QRS) has introduced Collaborative Replenishment Services (CRS), a innovative solution that addresses the key need of retailers and manufacturers: shortening the cycle time for replenishment, maximizing revenue, and improving product turns. By acting as the focal point in the day-to-day running of the replenishment system, QRS enables trading partners to focus on the merchandising side of the business. CRS creates customized solutions for retailers and manufacturers based on their particular replenishment needs, utilizing partnership agreements between retailers and vendors.

Key Takeaways:

  • CRS is a unique and exciting new approach to replenishment that offers true quick response replenishment: daily sales processing, at the store level, and at specific U.P.C. level.
  • QRS acts as the focal point in the day-to-day running of the replenishment system, taking full operations responsibility, and allowing trading partners an opportunity to focus on the merchandising side of the business.
  • The service offers a quick start process that can have programs running in less than two months, and requires no capital investment.
  • QRS has partnerships with over 15,000 stores and 4,000 general merchandise suppliers.
  • Liz Claiborne, Inc. has been successfully utilizing QRS's Catalog and EDI with their trading partners since 1990, and has seen great results with CRS.
  • QRS has over 35 million U.P.C.s within The QRS Catalog and market share leadership.
  • The company's board of directors, management, and employees include replenishment experts from retailers, vendors, and software providers.
  • QRS is working with Neil Thall Associates (NTA) to incorporate NTA technology into CRS for advanced forecasting and modeling techniques.

Statistics:

  • 15,000 stores have partnered with QRS.
  • 4000 general merchandise suppliers are working with QRS.
  • QRS's Catalog contains over 35 million U.P.C.s.
  • Liz Claiborne, Inc. has been utilizing QRS's Catalog and EDI with their trading partners since 1990.
  • Programs running on CRS can start in less than two months.
  • No capital investment is required for the quick start process.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "QuickResponse Services, Inc. Introduces Collaborative Replenishment Services - State-of-the-Art Replenishment Application Enables Retailers and Manufacturers to Achieve Higher Efficiency and Revenue," March 10, 1995.
  • QuickResponse Services, Inc. press release, "QuickResponse Services, Inc. Introduces Collaborative Replenishment Services (CRS)," March 10, 1995.
  • Business Week article, "Flow Replenishment," highlighting the benefits of improved revenues and profits for companies like VF Corporation.