介紹—Introduction
 
美國的零售商行業，在這十年來，發生了前所未有的變化。在過去的十年已經有大量新的零售空間出現,加上前50位零售商，占地面積增加了55%。不僅有更多的商店,且提供類似的產品。相同品牌的牙膏可以在便利店、雜貨店、藥店、超級購物中心、折扣店、倉庫俱樂部買到。牛仔褲可以在折扣店和倉庫俱樂部買到,以及在百貨商店、大型購物中心、專賣店和其他批發商店也可以買到。如此多的零售商,消費者對零售商的選擇給零售商帶來很大壓力，許多零售商的前輩領導人同樣與當今嚴峻的環境相抗戰。
 
生存在這樣一個競爭激烈的市場中,不再可能以合適的價錢購買合適的產品；零售商肯定會根據合適的市場和時機給出價格，合適的運營成本。要想做好這個需要對市場物流情況有足夠的了解,結合產品流信息而制定購買決策,讓客戶得到最合適價格的產品。
 
介紹—Introduction
 
Retailers in the us have seen a decade of unprecedented change. In the last 10 years there has been a flood of new retail space, with the top 50 retailers increasing their square footage by 55 percent. And not only are there more stores, but many offer similar products. The same brand of toothpaste can be bought at convenience stores, grocery stores, drug stores, supercenters, discounters, and warehouse clubs. Denim jeans can be found at the discounters and warehouse clubs, as well as at department stores, mass merchandisers, specialty stores, and other outlets. So much consumer choice puts tremendous pressure on retailers, with many historical leaders struggling in today's tougher environment
 
To survive in such a competitive market, it is no longer enough to buy the right goods at the right cost—retailers must also get them to the right place at the right time, and with the right operational costs. Doing this well requires the best possible logistics, combining the information that determines buying decisions with the product flows that get goods to customers most cost effectively
 
Traditionally, retail logistics had two major components - transportation and storage. But with the increasing complexity of modern retail supply chains, the scope of logistics has also expanded beyond the traditional definition. An efficient retail logistics function has become a significant instrument for retailers to ensure competitive advantage, and its scope now includes plans and processes that allow the back end to effectively meet consumer demand. Currently, retail logistics is a holistic concept that involves coordinating the following main processes among others:
 
Inbound and outbound transportation
Warehousing
Packaging and labelling
Shipment consolidation
Tracking/Tracing the products#p#分頁標題#e#
Inventory management
Quality checking
Planning for cost control
On Point • Retail Distribution Warehousing 5
Distribution of merchandise
Reverse handling and flow of products (reverse logistics)

The main processes and activities of retail logistics listed above are aimed at making sure that the shelves in a retail front-end store are never vacant and are filled with the right products at the right time and at the right place. Apart from maintaining an efficient supply chain, which keeps the stores filled with the correct products, it is also important that retail logistics increases operational efficiencies to allow retailers to run a viable retail operation.
 
交貨模式—Delivery Models
 
For decades, retail logistics has evolved through various models. Years ago, retailers and manufacturers had to rely on a traditional distribution channel composed of transporters, clearing and forwarding agents and stockists. Since mid-1990s, the emergence of alternative modern distribution channels has allowed retailers to choose from a range of logistics service providers to achieve an efficient storage and flow of products.
 
As of now, there are four logistics delivery models that retailers can choose from:
 
Entirely self-managed logistics and warehousing network
Partly outsourced to traditional service providers like transporters, clearing and forwarding agents and stockists
Partly or completely outsourced to third-party logistics service providers (otherwise known as PL players)
Completely outsourced to fourth-party logistics providers (otherwise known as 4PL players)
Whilst the above four are broad delivery models available to manufacturers, retail chains and retailers, it has been observed through interactions with retailers and warehouse users during this study that oftentimes, hybrid models of distribution are preferred. For example, a retail chain may choose to manage the transportation of its goods while the warehousing may be outsourced to a PL provider. The first two models listed above are more or less selfexplanatory, while the following definitions further explain the 3PL and 4PL delivery models:
 
3PL - A third-party logistics provider (3PL) is an entity that provides services to companies for some or all of their supply chain management functions. PL providers typically specialise in integrated warehousing and transportation services that can
be scaled and customised to the client's needs based on market conditions and the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials. In India, a large number of professional 3PL players like DRS, Gati, DHL, OM Logistics, Indo Arya, Sical Logistics, Reliance Logistics, SafeExpress, Agility, M J Logistics, AS Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel, Panalpina, Expeditors and AFL among others have been providing services to retailers and other sectors for their logistics requirements.#p#分頁標題#e#
 
4PL - As retailing in India is expanding and reaching new heights in terms of both geographical coverage and volume of products, there is an emerging requirement for an integrating logistics firm to assemble various resources, capabilities and technologies of its own as well as other companies to provide a complete logistics package to clients. Such firms are typically known as 4PL players. Typically, the resources used by a 4PL player are of other service providers, and its fundamental role is to manage all the PL players and other independent agencies employed for a logistics function, providing a turnkey logistics solution to retail chains and to other sectors.
 
Whilst this model is quite prevalent in developed countries, the 4PL sector in India is at a nascent stage, with a few players emerging such as Future Logistics (which is a 4PL for Future Group). In order to better comprehend and appreciate the respective range of services under each of the outsourced delivery models, the table below is a compilation of the typical spread of services delivered under each respective model. It is pertinent to note that the table below is an indicative compilation based on the feedback received from meetings with logistics service providers and not a comprehensive listing of all possible logistics services.
 
The organised PL sector in India has been consistently growing over the last few years, mirroring the growth witnessed in the retail logistics sector overall. The sector comprises of global as well as Indian companies that are ramping up their operations on a Pan-India level to cater to retail as well as other sectors. According to a Technopak study, the total outsourced logistics revenue in 00 was INR 1,151 billion, of which 5% or INR 58 billion was attributed to revenue gained from the PL sector. Revenue generated from retail 3PL was estimated at INR billion. The retail PL revenue has been predicted to continue to grow at a CAGR of around 1 % for the next few years.
 
The entry of large 3PL players has led to significant improvement and organisation within the retail logistics and modern distribution warehousing sector in the country. Over the years, the range of services of PL players has expanded to cover the service lines depicted in the table below. In some cases, it has been observed that PL players have even gone beyond their main service offerings to provide logistics network planning to clients as well.
 
第一章：思維形成過程—Chapter 1-The Thought Process
 
After completing 19 years military service within the Logistics industry and with minimal qualifications to show, the author decided that it was time to knuckle down and progress onto academic studies that would enable him to ease the transgression back to a civilian environment on completion of his military service. The foundation degree in Logistics Management enabled him therefore to use the experience of his military service and use it to attain academic qualifications, however the deadlines were not always easy to meet and targets often slipped due to unforeseen military commitments and a 6 month deployment on operations. Due to the study review of the previous two years the author fully understands that level 6 BSc (Hons) Logistics Management is going to undoubtedly have its constraints over the next 18 months, however not withstanding the current operational tempo of the Armed Forces and the ongoing commitment to reduce resources and costs whilst providing the same standard of logistic support, the author feels that by setting clear goals and plotting realistic timeframes then meeting the deadlines of the syllabus, although challenging, are well within his grasp.#p#分頁標題#e#
 
計劃—The Plan
 
The dissertation paper of the degree is obviously vitally important and due to the fact that the initial dissertation lesson is being conducted in January it is difficult to assess where difficulties will be foreseen. Although a plan has not been taught and agreed the author feels that the process will take the following format.
 
Background reading - To find a topic of interest
Agree on a topic and a title - Something of interest to the author
Literature  review - What has been written previously on the chosen topic
Methodology - Decide how to structure and research the plan
Develop the plan - Research topic, gather evidence and data from the chosen methodology
Analyze findings - Use initial findings to begin to draft the dissertation
Refine plan and develop the draft
Complete the draft
Produce the final dissertation for submission
Detailed below are some of the areas which are perceived to be vital when planning a dissertation:
 
The Dissertation topic - The first major decision is to decide what topic to research. In the past The Grimsby Institute for Further & Higher Education has set the assignment topics so it is important to the student to choose a topic that he is interested in, of general interest to entice personnel to read it, and which has academic significance that will enable recommendations to be included so that future improvements can be made. The initial idea is to choose a topic relating to logistics within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) however there are concerns that there may not be sufficient literature to support the subject and the dissertation may come up short. On the opposite end of the scale, there is a concern that a topic may be chosen that is not manageable in the time available and advice will be sought from the Institute prior to making a decision.
 
The Structure - The next decision is how to structure the dissertation. Acquiring past copies of a dissertation seems to be difficult and it would be useful if an example could be provided by GIFHE so that students have an idea what is expected of them and help them to decide if the chosen topic will meet the criteria.
 
Literature Survey - A literature survey must be carried out to ensure that there is enough literature available to complete the chosen topic. This will also enable the author to write with confidence by reading what members of the academic community have already written about the subject.
 
Methodology - Once the student and his tutor have decided on a chosen topic then he can decide which methodology to use throughout the research, this will enable him to set clear objectives and review them throughout the process. The choice of methods and research techniques will need to be well suited to the kind of problem that is being studied, having a positive or negative response to the question being asked.#p#分頁標題#e#
 
Collection, Analysis and Interpretation of Data - The collection of data has to be structured so that analysis can be made from the outcome of the findings for the question being posed. The findings will need to be sufficient to provide enough evidence to make a convincing case, and presented in such a way that they are easy to read grasp and understand.
 
Setting Objectives - In order to keep the studies on track and not to mix military commitments with academic studies, it is imperative that clear deadlines are set and consequently met. This will reduce having to rush certain elements of the methodology and subsequently having to hand in sub standard work. The author intends to plan the next 18 months by producing a GANTT chart and plotting relevant study periods sub tasks and interim deadline throughout the academic term. This will be produced in January after the initial dissertation lesson is received.
 
Conclusion - Ensuring that it is recognised exactly what the findings and conclusions imply is imperative whilst completing the dissertation otherwise the whole period of study will be a pointless exercise. This has to be taken into account when deciding which topic to proceed with. In order to ensure that the study is worthwhile the question “so what” will be asked continuously throughout the decision making process in order to identify a suitable subject.
 
第二章：競爭優勢和劣勢—Chapter 2 -Strengths & Weaknesses
 
The author has individual circumstances which can be classed as strengths and weaknesses that could possibly help or hinder him throughout the academic year. These are detailed below so that The Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education Staff can provide possible solutions and monitor student progress.
 
優勢—Strengths
 
The student is good at planning his own work and doesn't need constant reminders of where his work should be up to however he would still appreciate some interim deadlines periodically.
 
Experience - A high level of logistics experience which can be used as a knowledge base for the project. A good current working relationship with MoD private industry logistical partners where knowledge and experience can be sought and site visits requested.
 
Management & personnel - The author has wide access to senior management personnel who currently operate within the MoD Logistics sector, where advice can be gleamed on the chosen subject.
 
Resources - On camp library to carry out a literature search, a facility to order research material, and an on camp education centre where professional tutors can advise on academic writing.
 
Location Effects - The author is currently based in the North West of England with access to good road infrastructure to travel to and from lectures, lessons and site visits. The student is constantly travelling to Europe which enables him to have an insight into the regulations and legislation used within supply chain management from a European business perspective.#p#分頁標題#e#
 
Qualifications, Accreditations - The author holds previous qualifications in the management and leadership logistics sector.
 
Information Technology - The author has a high level of IT skills which will reduce time when writing papers.
 
劣勢—Weaknesses
 
The student is not yet clear about the requirements of the dissertation so he is unable to choose a topic to translate into a plan for the final piece of work. Hopefully this will be resolved in the dissertation lesson in January.
 
Geographical Effects - The student is currently based in the North West of England however his family resides in Germany. This has a number of issues relating to distraction as the student is constantly commuting and this could have an adverse affect on meeting deadlines. The student's current cohort also resides in Germany which makes it difficult to attend lessons collectively on a regular basis.
 
Legal effects - Due to the nature of the military environment, there is a possibility that not all data researched may be published due to the fact that it could be protectively marked and subject to the official secrets act.
 
Moral Effects - Due to the nature of the investigations involved, there is a possibility that any findings borne from the analysis could offend personnel or partners of the company that is being researched. In order to overcome this issue from the outset, the author must ensure that he first obtains the full co-operation of the commercial companies that are involved in any study that is being carried out.
 
Employment Vulnerability - Due to the nature of the author's employment, it is possible that he could be called upon for deployment at some point throughout the academic year. This would mean that continued study would become virtually impossible due to the operational climate and lack of resources in deployed areas.
 
總結—Conclusion
 
The author of this paper believes that Level 6 of the BSc (Hons) Logistics Management degree will prove to be highly challenging, educational and motivational whilst providing the author with new levels of experience borne from the research uncovered in the chosen subject for the dissertation. The explanations and the strengths and weaknesses detailed in this paper highlight his concerns and show a provisional plan that will enable his tutors and himself to agree on way forward of study for the academic year. Due to the students personal situation and the high pressures of his current employment disruptions are seen as inevitable however these need to be responded to. Setting clear targets and defining interim deadlines will enable the author to mitigate the risk of falling behind on his studies and this will enable him to achieve his ultimate goal which is to receive a high pass at Level 6. The author is now looking forward to the next stage of the tutoring where he can learn about is required to complete the dissertation and start the research on his chosen subject.