Efficient consumer response (ECR): a survey of the Australian grocery industry

Efficient consumer response (ECR) is a supply chain management strategy which attempts to address the inefficiencies that have led to excessive inventory and unnecessary costs at all levels within the grocery industry supply chain. Although originating in the USA, ECR has also attracted attention and interest in many other countries. This paper presents the results of an Australian study which was designed to assess the applicability of ECR within the Australian grocery industry. The results of the study indicate that the inefficient business practices of the US supply chain are also prevalent within the Australian grocery industry and that some Australian companies had already begun to engage in business activities related to ECR as early as 1996.