Business Continuity in Supply Chain Management

Purpose of Study: As a small business owner and potential retail management executive, the

availability of products and services are vital to business operations. The occurrence of

major disasters have hindered and stopped business functions for many businesses. The

information reported in this paper could be useful to small business owners or anyone

interested in a career in retail or perhaps customers.

Opening Statement:

The Supply Chain in the Retail sector is as important as Customer Service,

Human Resources, Sales Management, or Credit Services; if products aren’t in the store,

there is no business. Businesses need smooth and uninterrupted access to vendors,

suppliers, designers, distributors and customers.

Findings:

Business Continuity Planning is becoming increasingly important to the success

and sometimes survival of any business. Disasters, man-made (9/11 terrorist attacks) and

natural (Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy) have shown the need for planning for the

unexpected and uncontrollable. Even online retailers such as Amazon, depend on smooth

and reliable delivery of their products from their suppliers, and delivery to their

customers.

Supply chain management relies on many things; efficient and accurate logistics,

competent, dedicated staff members and equally important, strategic planning. All these

things and more contribute to continued business operations in the event of disaster.

Major retailers like Sears, Macy’s, Home Depot or Wal-Mart are stores that customers

depend on for the bare necessities used during and after a disaster.

Any part of the supply chain can be outsourced, this transfers liability for that

product or service, however the risk cannot be outsourced. There are increasingly more

risks to the company within the supply chain, due to streamlined supply chains. Retailers

are always at risk of being associated with a vendor or

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