Contrast the approaches taken by H&M;, Benetton and Zara in managing their suppl

Question

Contrast the approaches taken by H&M;, Benetton and Zara in managing their supply chains. Consider the following focus points: 1. How do they differ in terms of their approach to design stage of the supply chain? 2. How do they differ in terms of the manufacturing stage of the supply chain? 3. How do they differ in terms of the distribution stage of the supply chain? 4. How do they differ in terms of the retail stage of the supply chain? 5. For each brand, Identify and explain a SCM strategy or trend utilized in its supply chain. 6. In your opinion, which of the three companies have the best SCM and why? Working individually, analyze the "supplying Fast Fashion" case study and present your analysis in a report limited to four pages (using 12-pts font and 1.5-line spacing). Your work will be assessed according to the linked rubrics on blackboard. You may use any online sources as long as you properly reference them in your report. You may choose to prepare your report in an essay format or a list of questions and answers.

Explanation / Answer

Zara carries design via designers, market specialists and buyers. It has special designers/ market specialists focussed separately for men, women and children’s clothes, total of 300 designers who interact with customers at retail stores.

Benetton with 300 designers, it also does research on new materials and clothing concepts. It has more of standard designs and about 10% of customized ones.

2. Benetton has manufacturing unit at Italy for performing expensive technology operations, where as rest are carried out internationally for low labour costs. Also operates contractors and sub contractors for manufacturing different products at different locations, governed by central facility at Italy.

H&M does not own factories but depends on 750 suppliers, 21 production offices, with half production in Europe and half in Asia. They manage finished inventories with focus on optimal order time for every item.

Zara owns 20 manufacturing facilities, for cutting and dyeing, focuses on shortest lead time for ready clothes to stores, also subcontracts for labour intensive operations.

3.     Benetton and Zara have automated warehousing facilities for storing/ packing/ assembling near to production facilities to save cost and time.

H&M has uses centralized warehouse to replenish other sub stores/ warehouses, after receiving materials from production sites, and is also subcontracted sometimes.

4.      H&M has its own retail stores to run and own for better customer satisfaction and interaction.

         Zara engages customers to visit more frequently at its owned and run retails stores by not repeating any designs and quick replenishment.           

         Benetton used to subcontract stores to third parties for operations but now it has owned most of them and joined to large size stores for better shopping experience.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.