RETAILERS’ REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRES

4.

These are large warehouses usually at large road junctions which supply many branches of a large-scale retailer e.g. supermarket. This type of regional distribution centres enable the stores to save on storage space at their premises. These centres may make deliveries every day using own transport fleet.

 

5. MANUFACTURER'S WAREHOUSE

1. The manufacturer produces goods in anticipation of demand and as soon as the goods roll off the production line, the finished goods are sent to the warehouse to be stored until they are required.

2. The manufacturer's warehouses store only the type of goods produced by the manufacturer.

3. Some manufacturers may have their own warehouses or depots to store raw materials and finished products while other manufacturers may rent warehouses. Some may depend on wholesalers to supply the warehousing facilities.

6. RETAIL WAREHOUSE OR DEPOT

1. Some large-scale retailers, like supermarkets and departmental stores, make direct bulk purchases from manufacturers and may have their own warehouses or depots to store their goods.

2. Goods can be packed and branded in these warehouses which act as distributing centres for all the branches of the department store or supermarket. In this way, goods sold in all the branches can be standardized.

3. Where goods need to be kept fresh, e.g. fruit, vegetables, meat and other perishable goods, cold storage facilities are available in these warehouses. Where such facilities are absent, the large-scale retailer can hire facilities from a cold storage.