Why supply chain visibility is now a retail competitive advantage

Retail in Australia and New Zealand has never been more competitive. Margins are tight, customers expect fast fulfilment and disruptions, whether global or local, can ripple through the supply chain quickly. In this environment, supply chain visibility is no longer just an operational nice-to-have. It’s a genuine competitive advantage. Retailers who can see what’s happening across their supply chain, in real time, are better positioned to protect margins, improve availability, and respond faster than their competitors.

1. Better stock availability

One of the biggest risks for retailers is stockouts. With strong visibility using EDI data such as purchase orders and advanced shipping notices, retailers can track inbound shipments before they arrive.

• Identify short shipments early
• Adjust replenishment plans quickly
• Prioritise high-demand SKUs

This directly improves on-shelf availability and protects revenue.

2. Stronger supplier relationships

Visibility also strengthens supplier performance management. When every order, shipment and invoice is digitally recorded, retailers can measure:

• on-time delivery rates
• fill rates
• ASN information accuracy
• invoice compliance which can also make payments to suppliers faster.

This enables fair, data-driven conversations with suppliers and helps standardise expectations across the network.

3. Improved margin control

Errors in pricing, quantities or freight charges can quietly erode margin. In a tight-margin environment, these incremental gains matter. With structured, automated EDI data feeding finance and operations systems, retailers can:

• automatically match invoices to POs and deliveries
• identify discrepancies quickly
• reduce manual reconciliation work
• lower dispute and chargeback costs.