Role of Consumers in Supply Chain Management

In earlier days influence of consumers in supply chain management were not significant. A consumer who orders a product was not aware of the location of manufacturing, people manufacturing it etc. Now as people are more aware of the environment in which products are made Supply Chain management is being affected.

Tracking Orders
The time at which a product may be delivered may vary depending upon several conditions. Any accidental event occurring at the manufacturing plan may affect tracking if not properly controlled. As consumers can look at the internet and know the position of the product the expected date of delivery is to be maintained even if any delay occurs. If the consumers are not receiving the products within the expected time they might cancel the order and buy from another company.

Dedicated Supply Chain Management Team
E commerce business is the major industry affecting Supply Chain Management due to consumer’s influence. If any complaint occurs to the product supplied through a retailer it needs to be solved at the earliest for preventing further complications that may affect the sale of products.  Because of these issues many companies have shifted to dedicated Supply Chain Management.

Pressure of Price
As consumers can buy any product from any companies the price factor can be competitive. Most of the consumers are price conscious and this can influence the consumer in choosing the cheapest available product online. If supply chain costs can be cut to minimum products can be supplied to the consumers at lower cost.