An early reform for supermarket operation was to have suppliers de
liver to a distribution
centre rather than to every store. During the 1980s, distribution to retail stores was
handled by 26 depots. These operated on a single
-
temperature basis, and were small and
relatively inefficient. Delivery volumes to each store wer
e also relatively low, and it was not
economic to deliver to all stores each day. Goods that required temperature
-
controlled
environments had to be carried on separate vehicles. Each product group had different
ordering systems. The network of depots simpl
y could not handle the growth in volume and
the increasingly high standards of temperature control. A new distribution strategy was
needed