Collaborative Efficiency: How C.H. Robinson Drives Continuous Improvement for Leading Retailer

As a leader in retail pharmacies in the United States, one company is dedicated to making quality care more affordable, accessible, simple and seamless. With around 9,000 retail locations, the company provides a broad range of consumer products—from makeup to multivitamins and beyond—for consumers across the United States.

Innovation and continuous improvement

As a pioneer in the pharmacy industry, the company continuously strives to enhance its supply chain operations. For over a decade, C.H. Robinson has been their primary domestic logistics provider. The long-term relationship is founded on mutual trust and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, the companies work to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of essential products to the vast retail network of shops.

The goal with continuous improvement is to always push the boundaries of what’s possible, especially in the supply chain. That’s where C.H. Robinson comes in. Retail and healthcare logistics experts at C.H. Robinson consistently bring fresh perspectives and inventive solutions to the table that keep the retailer ahead in the market.

Tailored solutions for supply chain excellence

Using an integrated global suite of services^™ across four key areas, C.H. Robinson provides flexible capacity options that adapt to changing consumer demand to enhance efficiency, visibility and performance across their supply chain.

Consolidating consumer health products

C.H. Robinson streamlines the movement of consumer health products like multivitamins and personal protective equipment (PPE). The extensive consolidation programme handles approximately 126,000 purchase orders annually, streamlining products from over 100 brands into an average of 5,000 full truckloads each year. Consolidation not only reduces delivering costs but also helps minimise transit times by optimising load efficiency.

Refreshing seasonal beauty product displays

Twice a year, C.H. Robinson supports up to 3,000 locations with highly efficient last mile services. These efforts, typically conducted in spring and fall, update end caps for beauty brands. Using a hub-and-spoke model, C.H. Robinson removes existing end caps and seamlessly installs new merchandise displays, providing a fresh and updated look in  shops, saving time for in-store employees.

Building and remodeling store locations

For new store openings or locations undergoing renovations, C.H. Robinson manages the delivery and installation of store fixtures—from lighting to flooring. This service relies on direct communication with general contractors onsite. The seamless co-ordination between C.H. Robinson and contractors minimises added work for employees and facilitates smooth store openings and remodels.

Transporting seasonal goods inland

Seasonal goods require yet another approach to transport products from ports to distribution centres. By managing the inland drayage of seasonal items, C.H. Robinson helps optimise stock levels to meet consumer demand without delays. This process is further enhanced through transloading and palletisation, which streamline the transfer of goods from ocean containers to domestic trailers, ensuring faster distribution. These services help reduce handling time and optimise storage space, allowing for more efficient delivery.

“C.H. Robinson offers a variety of innovative solutions that cater to the many aspects of our supply chain. Their unrivalled scale across modes and regions has been invaluable in maintaining our operational excellence,” explains the retailer.

Powering decisions with data and visibility

Utilising customisable reports from Navisphere^®, C.H. Robinson delivers a comprehensive view of the supply chain's performance, empowering the retailer to make data-backed decisions with confidence. With real-time data, it's possible monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as delivery times, inventory levels and on time in full (OTIF) metrics. This level of visibility helps swiftly identify and address any issues before they affect compliance or operational efficiency.

The retailer stated, “The real-time tracking and Power BI reporting provided by C.H. Robinson have been game-changers for us. The accurate data helps us stay compliant and make informed decisions, keeping continuous improvement opportunities top of mind.”

Strategic collaboration. Outstanding results.

The relationship between the two companies continues to deliver results. Through the comprehensive solutions and cutting-edge technology from C.H. Robinson, the retailer continues to see improvements across multiple key performance areas:

• 98 % on-time delivery for pre-paid consolidated loads
  One of the most notable achievements is averaging a 98% on-time delivery rate across all modes of transportation.
• 12,000 hours of labour saved by store employees annually
  With C.H. Robinson eliminating store labour requirements for seasonal beauty product installations, store employees can prioritise other critical shop operations, like customer service.

“The results speak for themselves. C.H. Robinson continues to be an invaluable provider in our supply chain success. With their help we’ll continue to set new standards in our industry,” noted the retailer.