Although the survey is anonymous, the respondent does provide information on their industry and location. We
selected the survey of a medium sized firm in Flanders to show where some of the initial gaps are between
perception and expectation. This firm supplies telecom equipment distribution, after sales service and recycling to
consumers and businesses. The gaps appear to be in the areas of lowering the cost of distribution (a fairly neutral
point for most surveys seen so far), pre-sales activities, and distribution outside of the current geographic coverage
area. In examining the other surveys completed to-date, there appears to be a trend of retailers not expecting the 3PL
to be involved in pre-sales or distribution cost reduction, but also the retailer appears also not that competent in theseareas either, which then leads to the question if pre-sales logistics is normally examined by these retailers as part of
the logistical activities.