Linda Purpura

Distributors that have taken to heart the call for greater supply chain efficiency use a variety of methods to accomplish their goals.Leading edge practitioners such as Vons Cos., Arcadia, Calif., and Richfood...

RICHMOND, Va. -- Richfood Holdings here is exploring increased use of advance ship notices by late next year. The wholesaler's current ASN use is limited to one vendor, who sends the ASNs by fax.Richfood is...

SCARBOROUGH, Maine -- Hannaford Bros. here will test cross docking of half pallets with one dry grocery vendor early next year. The chain hopes to take advantage of cross docking's efficiency with the smaller amounts...

BUENA PARK, Calif. -- Lucky Stores South here, a division of American Stores Co., Salt Lake City, is using an antitheft device that prevents the removal of carts from the parking lots at its San Diego, Costa Mesa and...

RICHMOND, Va. -- Ukrop's Super Markets here has installed an improved interactive voice-response system through which customers can call to find their current loyalty-program totals. The new system has drastically cut...

EVANSTON, Ill. -- To enhance efficiencies in the home-shopping picking process, Peapod here and its retailer partners are moving toward using dedicated fulfillment centers rather than picking products in stores.Stop &...

COMPTON, Calif. -- Rebuilding its earthquake-damaged dry grocery distribution center in Glendale, Calif., has allowed Ralphs Grocery Co. here to deliver about 1,700 additional orders per month from the facility...

HOUSTON -- A new variation of electronic check payments that involves returning the paper check and an authorization receipt to the customer offers retailers the potential to lower their check-processing charges.In...