Supply Chain and Distribution is a key part of Loblaw's business and is made up of four divisions: Distribution, Transport, Replenishment and Flow Supply Chain. These divisions ensure that the products are readily available, on the shelves and well stocked for the future.
Distribution operates 18 corporate and six third-party-operated distribution centres (DCs) across Canada. These 24 DCs ship over 737 million cube of product annually to over 1,000 corporate and franchise stores. Distribution's main responsibility is to ensure that the right amount of product arrives at the right store, at the right time.
Transport manages inbound and outbound deliveries around the world. The team uses many modes of transport – land, sea and rail – to get our product into the distribution network and out to over 1,000 stores across the country. Loblaw leverages a team of corporate Drivers and partners with third-party carriers to get the product to the customer on time and in good condition.
Replenishment works with our merchants to ensure that a sufficient quantity and variety of products is purchased from our suppliers, and delivered to our stores using the distribution network and direct store delivery.
Flow Supply Chain is a multi-year program that is fundamentally transforming the way Loblaw flows goods from its suppliers to store shelves, by improving our IT systems, processes and distribution infrastructure.
In 2008, Loblaw implemented SAP solutions as part of its Information Systems and Processes Renewal and Enhancement. The company implemented the SAP NetWeaver® technology platform and functionality from the SAP® ERP application for enterprise resource planning and the SAP® for Retail solutions to replace its legacy applications.
In 2012 Loblaw received the “Tech Innovation Award for Supply Chain” from Progressive Grocer magazine, in recognition of outstanding technology implementation and production success in 2011, at the 2012 National Retail Federation (NRF)...