Chain Store Age
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Retailers Discuss the Challenges and Best Practices of Cross Docking
Connie Robbins Gentry
Retail executives gathered recently to exchange ideas about cross docking, a process by which store-ready cartons travel through the distribution center (DC) from receiving to shipping with minimal handling and no put-away. Cross docking reduces the amount of labor, real estate and inventory a retailer carries, which contributes to overall operational savings.
Burlington Coat Factory, which presented a Case Study during the Cross Dock Conference held last month in Newark, New Jersey, reported that more than 60% of the inventory moving through its DCs is being cross docked. Other retailers participating in the conference included Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES), Cabela’s, DOTS, G&G Retail, Kirkland, OfficeMax, Tiffany & Co., & Toys “R” Us.