The evolution of retail logistics
From a distribution property perspective, this evolution has passed through various general phases and very broadly in the timeline indicated below.
In the 1970s, most retail stores were replenished by direct deliveries from suppliers or wholesalers In the 1980s, retailers started to centralize their store deliveries through new distribution centers which they controlled.
In the 1990s, global sourcing(for non-food products) took off with many retailers developing import centers to receive and process mosty containerized imports. From around 2000, e-commerce began to rapidly expand with pure-play(internet only retailers leading the way in establishing e-fulfillment distribution networks