Strategic Resource Management and Operations at Cole's Supermarket

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Cole's Supermarket's operations, focusing on strategic resource management and operational strategies. It begins with an overview of the company, detailing its position in the Australian retail market and its international presence. The report then delves into the day-to-day operations, including store layout, cash handling, customer service, and inventory management. It explores the linkages between the company's practices and supply chain management theories, particularly inbound and outbound logistics. Furthermore, the report examines the importance of sustainability within Cole's value chain and its impact on the business. The analysis highlights the effective supply chain management, critical operations such as inventory and stock management, and emphasizes the importance of sustainability for long-term success, drawing conclusions based on the presented information and referencing relevant studies.

Operations 1
Managing strategic resources and
Operations

Operations 2
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the company................................................................................................................4
Day to Day Operations of the Company..........................................................................................6
Linkages between the company and theory.....................................................................................8
Sustainability in the value chain of the company..........................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

Operations 3
Introduction
This paper includes the proper analysis of the strategies and resources for managing the
operations of the company. The management of operations is one of the important processes for
the company that used to manage all the functions and activities of the organization. In this
report, Cole's supermarket is selected for analyzing the strategic resources and operations of the
company. The report includes an overview of the company and day to day operations runs in the
business. The operations and value chain of the company will be described in this report. The
operations management of the company make the best use of the resources and it is also used for
managing the supply and demand of the goods and services of the company (Knox, 2015). The
report will discuss the sustainability perspectives in the value chain business and the linkages of
the company with the different theories of operation management.

Operations 4
Overview of the company
Cole's supermarket is one of the largest supermarkets located in Australia. It is an
Australian supermarket that operates in several retail chains. This company works in the field of
food and groceries and it also provides several other services (Jie, et al., 2015). Coles now
becomes a second-largest retailer in Australia. The company achieves several developments in
the grocery market of Australia and achieve various objectives related to the business. The
company also works at international level as they selling their goods and services in the foreign
markets (Hardy and Howe, 2015). At the national level of Australia, Coles Company achieves
several advantages and improves their growth in the retail industry.
This company is the second-largest company that makes a large amount of revenue. The
first largest company is Woolworths that also deals in the retail sector like supermarkets. So,
Woolworths is one of the main competitors of Cole’s supermarket in the retail industry of
Australia. The sales of the Coles supermarket are continuously increasing which helps in
managing the growth of the market. The company needs to maintain all the operations so that
supply and demand are properly managed in the overall process and this also helps to maintain
all the value chains of the business (Gunady, et al., 2012). The business operations of Coles
supermarket is different at different levels like at state levels it behaves in a different manner and
it is more precise at the international level as the international business provides more profits to
the business.
As compared to the Woolworths supermarket, Cole’s supermarket is more focused
towards the supply and value chain operations. This improves the process of the organization and
becomes reliable in achieving more growth and more profits in the business market of Australia.
Along with the operations, the management of resources is also important in the business
(Dwivedi, et al., 2012). Resource management can be managed by three aspects that are
competitive advantage, financial resources, and human capital. Cole’s supermarket is more
focused on the proper management of supply chain operations and several other processes. The
several trademarks and processes are used by the company for the proper management of
resources and operations.

Operations 5

Operations 6
Day to Day Operations of the Company
The Coles supermarket involves day to day operations that are used to run the business.
Among all the operations, the supply chain operation is one of the most important operations of
the company as it directly relates to the customers. This operation is also used to increase the
sales of the business. The day to day business operations involves various activities of the
business that helps in gaining profits (Keating, et al., 2014). The employees and other people are
engaged in the day to day operations. The day to day operations of the Coles supermarket
includes staff management, money and credit handling, customer service, inventory optimization
and supply chain operation.
The operations of the Coles supermarket retail store are discussed as below-
 Store layout
Cole's supermarket includes a positive ambience in their store so that customers
enjoy their shopping. The products are properly managed in the Coles
supermarket as per their size and products. The store layout of the company
attracts customers towards the store.
 Cash handling
Cash handling is one of the main operations of any organization and it is also
implemented in the Coles supermarket. Cash handling is the main process of the
retail store (Devin and Richards, 2018). Cole's supermarket tracks the daily cash
flow at the end of the day to calculate loss and profit. The daily sales and revenue
are analyzed in the process of cash handling that is the main operation of the
Coles supermarket.
 Supply
The supply of the products and services is simple in the retail store as the buyers
come to the store and buy their products on their own. So, the supply process of
Cole's supermarket is not so difficult. Cole's supermarket manages the employee
engagement in the store at the time of purchasing of the products by the buyers.
 Customer Service
The main assets of the retail business are customers. Cole's supermarket manages
the overall customer service not to lose even a single customer. The sales

Operations 7
representatives of Cole's supermarket are involved in the process to help the
individuals in purchasing the products. Cole's supermarket cannot compromise on
the quality of products as they always providing quality products to the
consumers. The customer service is one of the main operations of the Coles
supermarket as this operation increase or decreases the sales of the store.
 Refunds and Returns
The refunds and returns are also involving in the operations of Cole's
supermarket. Cole's supermarket makes a proper refund policy for the store.
Cole's supermarket fixed their timings for the exchange of the merchandise. The
refunds and returns are also included as day to day operations of the organization.
 People Management
This is also an important part of the day to day operations as people management
is the main task for carrying out the operations of Cole's supermarket. The people
management of Cole's supermarket includes the proper engagement of the
employees in providing the proper services to the customers (Bhakoo, et al.,
2015). The management of people in the proper management of the employees
which is done by Cole's supermarket on a daily basis.
 Inventory and Stock Management
Cole's supermarket manages the stock and inventory to being out of stock. Cole's
supermarket has its own warehouse to stock the overall merchandise. The
company also ready to take steps to prevent loss of inventory and stock.
The production process and several other operations are also involved in the operations of
Cole's supermarket company. The production process included in the sales of the food and
groceries related to the Coles supermarket as the sale is one of the important operations of any
organization (Soosay and Hyland, 2015).

Operations 8
Linkages between the company and theory
The supply chain activities of the Coles supermarket linked with the several concepts and
theories of the supply chain management. There are various operations included in the business
of Coles supermarket that linked with the other theories of the supply chain management.
Operations are included in the several activities linked with the production of the company (Juan
Ding, et al., 2014).
Cole’s group ltd. needs to maintain the effectiveness of the supply chain. The
management of the supply chain system fulfils all the requirements of the retail supermarkets.
The company operates all the logistics operations in a proper manner and manage the several
logistics in a proper way. By this, the supply chain management becomes proper and attract the
customers. The several operations of the Coles supermarket used to add the proper value in the
products to increase the overall profits of the company. The regions in which the products are
sold also considered in the supply chain management of the Coles supermarket as this is essential
for the overall process of the organization.
Inbound logistics
Inbound logistics refers to the transport, storage and delivery of goods coming into the
business. The activities that come in the business of Cole’s supermarket are involved in inbound
logistics. The major operations of the Coles supermarket are related to the inbound logistics as
the delivery of goods is closely related to the business and this improves the overall process of
the business. The regions in which products delivered are also included so the inbound logistics
(Crocker, et al., 2012). The process of automation is used by the Coles supermarket to manage
the inbound logistics and this provides the proper management of the supply chain. The
acquisition of raw material is also included in inbound logistics. The transport facility of Coles
supermarket also comes in inbound logistics as this is used to supply the products to the
customer. Coles needed a salutation that could future-proof the process of the security of supply.

Operations 9
Outbound logistics
The outbound logistics are also an important part of the business of Cole’s supermarket
because it increases the overall quantity of the finished products. Cole's supermarket manages the
overall quantity of the products for better growth in the market. The company follows the five
simple steps that are the deployment of order, management of raw material and warehouse orders
(Hiremath, et al., 2013). The outbound logistics refers to the same for goods going out of
business. This includes the major operations of the business.

Operations 10
Sustainability in the value chain of the company
The value chain is one of the essential parts of Cole's supermarket as real sustainability
can be attained when all the parts of the value chain work together. The sustainable value chain
means a low environmental and positive impact on the product and design of the overall system.
The value chain is very important in the supply chain management of Cole's supermarket (Mol,
2015). The supply chain activities maintain the proper effect on the organization. Sustainability
is important in the value chain of the Coles supermarket. Sustainability also improved the sales
of the business (Vural, 2015). The value chain is an important concept of the organization which
maintains the customer service in a proper manner.

Operations 11
Conclusion
From the above information it has been concluded that the supply chain management of the
Cole’s supermarket is effective as it manages the proper supply of the products. The common
operations of the Cole’s supermarket have been discussed in the report. The sustainability in the
value chain is very important for the business because it gives the positive impact on the
business. This concept has been described in the above information. The overview of the Cole’s
supermarket includes the brief information regarding the products and services of the company.
The description of operations is essential and the main operations of the organization includes
inventory management, stock management, refund and returns and many more.

Operations 12
References
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Dwivedi, A., Merrilees, B., Miller, D., & Herington, C. (2012). Brand, value and relationship
equities and loyalty-intentions in the Australian supermarket industry. Journal of
Retailing and Consumer Services, 19(5), 526-536.
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potential of the fresh produce supply chain for strawberries, romaine/cos lettuces
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Hiremath, N. C., Sahu, S., & Tiwari, M. K. (2013). Multi objective outbound logistics network
design for a manufacturing supply chain. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 24(6),
1071-1084.
Jie, F., Parton, K., & Chan, C. (2015). Australian beef supply chain integration: case studies of
the two largest Australian supermarkets. International Journal of Supply Chain and
Operations Resilience, 1(2), 121-138.