Lexmark

Industry Solutions

The Retail Market

The world of retail is very complex and diverse with many areas of the organisation involved in the success of daily operations. Local Store Operations, Central Headquarter Operations and Supply Chain Management are the 3 key components to an efficient operational environment within retail businesses.

The key for any successful retailer is business optimisation. Printing is key in many processes and a correct understanding of the issues can positively influence the business outcome.

Within the retail market Lexmark have high visibility - 8 out of the top 10 UK retailers are Lexmark customers. Due to vast experience in this field we have been able to develop solutions with retail customers in mind at every level. Store/Distribution Centre Operations.

Every retailer has its own individual requirements and when it comes to POS applications there are many needs that are always raised:

• To provide employees with stored company document templates
• To allow for local customisation print outs
• Support of in-house specific applications, like batch printing and print on demand
• Different media support such as RFID labels and paper sizes including labels, price tags and colours
• Managing "Total Cost of Ownership" - from supplies, to waste and authorisation
• Energy and consumable savings
• To keep the environment in mind by reducing the carbon footprint

Central Operations

When we talk about central operations 2 key aspects must be taken into consideration:

• Being an entity with its own printing requirements
• Being a central management point for remote printers in remote stores

A central office will require 4 key elements for its own printing needs:

• High volumes / heavy duty printing
• Different paper sizes and colours
• Energy and consumables savings
• To keep the environment in mind by reducing the carbon footprint

Central management will have to ensure 3 key elements to maintain control:

• To manage remote technical store issues by a remote diagnosis
• Continual on-site support and maintenance
• Remote cost monitoring of consumables - especially colour printers
• Supply Chain Management

Many large retailers have substantial problems with consumables inventory and management. To overcome these issues the retailer must ensure the right products are in stock, in the right place and at the right time. These measures will result in increased efficiency and greater savings.