since the mid 1970s, supply chain configurations have been changing to achieve higher levels of logistics performance and customer service. in the 1970s and 1980s, (DCs) were introduced in the retail sector, with retailers taking over responsibility for deliveries to their stores (sometimes DCs are referred to as RDCs and NDCs). a distribution center is a type of warehouse where a large number of products are delivered by different suppliers preferably in full truck loads. each distribution center services a number of retail stores in the regional area. in the 1990s, (CCs) were added and served to consolidate deliveries from multiple suppliers into full loads that could be delivered onwards to the DCs (see figure). a recent development has been for the retailers to take control of the delivery of goods into their DCs and this is known as FGP. an advantage of FGP is that it gives a single point of control for the inbound logistics network.