Critical Success Factors for Effective Backhauling in Distribution Channels of British Supermarkets

Abstract

An effective backhaul in distribution may help organizations reduce their costs and increase operational efficiency. Effective backhauling can also help companies in their societal marketing facilities by reducing carbon emissions. The purpose of this study is to identify and rank critical success factors in effective backhauling. Analytical hierarchical process method is conducted on managers working in the distribution of supermarket retail chains in the UK. A total of six factors are identified based on the literature review and qualitative interviews with managers. According to overall results, the most important critical success factor is found to be effective delivery planning followed by effective communication with suppliers and demand forecasting. However, different groups in the sample have different rankings. According to third party logistics managers, the most important critical success factor is collaborative logistics.