Today’s challenging retail environment pays to seek methods to enhance productivity and reduce expenses. However, to provide the greatest service, there can be no compromises on quality.
What are the solutions? One of these is to investigate Direct Store Delivery (DSD) and, if possible, incorporate it into your framework.
What is DSD, and why are more manufacturers and retailers taking advantage of optimizing operations? First, let’s explore DSD more closely, how it operates, and why it’s getting more popular.
What Is DSD?
Direct Store Delivery delivers goods from a supplier to a store that eliminates one stage of the process.
Traditionally, a company manufactures items sent to the store’s central distribution center after being ordered by the retailer. This can be a huge warehouse where products are stored and supplied to individual stores as needed. Retailing chains have used this method for many years, and it can be very successful and efficient.
Is that central distribution hub, however, necessary in today’s world? After all, operating a warehouse takes financial resources.
Which Businesses Benefit From DSD?
The Direct Store Delivery model is suitable for smaller retail stores such as:
- Grocery stores
- Corner shops
- Pharmacies
- Gas stations
In other words, businesses that require frequent resupply and companies that need narrow time delivery windows for their goods.
If you are in a market sector where product freshness is vital or if the products are produced locally, for example:
- Bakery goods
- Fresh snacks
- Quick pre-pared meals
- Soft drinks
- Beer
In these cases, DSD is a blessing to your business.
Due to the decreased labor needs for restocking and the elimination of warehouse maintenance expenses, you will be able to provide products that meet your customers’ shifting needs and tastes.
Additionally, you should use the DSD approach if your business has a strong customer demand, a high turnover, and rapidly changing products.
DSD Vs. Distribution Centers
The DSD model enables retailers to procure products directly from the supplier. It is the supplier that carries out almost all the works in the supply chain, including:
- Checking the stock levels
- Replenishing of stock
- Unpacking of goods
- Shelf packing
- Removing ‘out of date’ stock
- Promoting new stock
- Display of price
The DSD distribution process allows each product maker to ship directly to the store using a distributor. This approach is different from the conventional Central Distribution method.
The supplier ships goods to a central warehouse in the central distribution system. The goods are then stored until the store needs them. Once the store orders a re-supply of goods, they are packed and sent to the retailer from this centralized warehouse.
In the central distribution system, merchants are accountable for everything; the producer is fully responsible for everything involved in the DSD method.
The Benefits Of DSD
As discussed earlier, direct retail deliveries are becoming increasingly common. Many companies in the beverage, dairy, and pastry industries already have direct retail delivery services in place.
Let’s take a look at the main advantages of DSD in the retail store industry.
Quick Delivery Time
Direct retail delivery is an efficient approach to get items on shop shelves. Bypassing central distribution warehouses saves time since goods are not diverted, stopped, and delayed at centers before being delivered to retailers. DSD is a beneficial option if your shop has to get particular items into customers’ hands as soon as possible.
Shipping Goods That Are Fragile Or Have A Short Shelf Life
DSD models benefit big, delicate, and light items since they must be protected throughout travel. Crisps, baked goods, and eggs are examples of fragile goods. In addition, direct store delivery enables producers or manufacturers to have better control over handling, resulting in less damage.
Bread, baked goods, dairy products, and fruit are high-turnover goods that deteriorate quickly. By transporting them via DSD, you shorten the amount of time the items spend in the supply chain, allowing them to stay on shelves for longer. Furthermore, because these items tend to sell out rapidly, you must restock products regularly.
Reduced Costs
Reduced labor costs are one of the most significant benefits for retailers. However, due to the low margins associated with the sorts of commodities sent via DSD, handling them through store staff is frequently not cost-effective.
By transferring restocking and ordering of high-volume items to wholesalers, grocery stores can concentrate on higher-margin items and customer service.
How To Best Use DSD
Using the following guidelines will guarantee that your company gets the most out of DSD. Let’s look at them:
Employ A Transportation Management System (TMS)
A TMS helps you plan your shipments, keep track of them, get business insights, and hire the best people for your supply chain. This enables you to cut costs, improve efficiency, and achieve a competitive edge.
With a TMS, your business can see every part of your supply chain. Thus, you can make a decision about DSD that you believe will be good for your business.
Use A Food & Beverage Logistics Company
The right source and logistics supplier can work for merchants who use DSD.
When looking for a food and beverage logistics company to help you, look for one that has:
- A wide range of services
- Has the right equipment for all of your products
- Can get it to you the same day you need it
Also, make sure they have the technology to take care of all of your order management needs at once, including:
- Order management
- All aspects of delivery
- All billing.
It doesn’t matter whether you run a small corner store or one of the world’s biggest chain stores. There are days when everyone could use a helping hand.
Time To Deliver The Goods!
Running a business is complex, and while it is hard to outsource every task, there are some cases where using different delivery methods may have a significant impact.
We have discussed what is DSD in this article. In short, the DSD model offers several benefits to retailers that wish to manage their operations better and have more power over their goods.
Are your objectives to simplify your operations, retain consumers, boost traffic, and potentially cut costs? Then, contact us. The correct DSD ordering program can directly bring a diverse choice of goods to your customer.