Event panning Process? Techniques? Tools? Measures? Home delivery Design? Cost modelling? Returns policy, processes and management     Distribution network strategy for general merchandise retailer A UK distribution network design - at a basic level this covered; which distribution centres to open (where and how big), which to close, where sites could be consolidated and what the functionality/range would be for each facility. This pragmatic strategy took into account real quotes for potential new sites and all decisions were based on detailed financials covering; P&L, cashflow and NPV impact of various options. The strategy included: • Location modelling of existing and new facilities. • Integration of separately run distribution networks. •Determination of lowest cost stockholding location for each sku (stock keeping unit) - i.e. which sku's to hold centrally and which in regional distribution centres (DCs). The model covered all costs associated with holding stock in different locations; activity costs based on product cube throughput, transport costs, stockholding costs, space costs and the cost change from suppliers delivering to a single central or multiple regional points. • Pick slot type optimisation by sku – as well as total activity cost optimisation this took into account the overall context of existing DC capacity, range requirements and total number of facilities required. • Quantifying the cost impact from other areas of the business on the supply chain; cube of product selections, returns management and stockholding, size of inventory reduction programme and growth in direct importation.