Development and empirical test of a grocery retail instore logistics model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a model of instore logistics for retail stores. Design/methodology/approach The model attempted to give a picture of all logistics processes that are carried out within a retail outlet from an incoming dock to the check out. The model has afterwards been empirically validated by analyzing the instore logistics processes of dairy products in 200 stores in the Austrian grocery retail sector. Findings The findings of the survey show typical problem areas within store operations and identify the impact of instore logistics as a key factor impacting on the success of retail business. Originality/value The paper continues the work of Raman, DeHoratius and Ton in 2001, and Cachon, also in 2001 and the findings contribute to close the execution gap in retail operations.