Hello All, I hope you are on track in preparation of your group project. On April 3rd 12:00pm, 2025 the
group projects are due to be submitted and on April 4th you will need to present it. In order to help you
with your projects, Please note the following
1. Projects are for groups and each group is 8-9 people
2. Project will have 100 marks and constitutes for 20% of the semester final grade
3. The presentation of your project will need to have all team contributing in and shall be no more than 1012 mins. Will be followed with 5 mins for Q&A. The presentation will have 20/100 marks of the project. If
any of the team members is not attending then he/she lose those 20 marks.
4. The report needs to be sent to me by 12 pm maximum of April the 10th, 2025 . One file per group is
required.
5. The length of the report is Approximately 10-15 pages single spacing (Excluding: Cover Page, Content
Page, Appendixes).
6. I assume, by now each team have selected the business they will investigate about. If not, you need to so
quickly.
7. You will use your own approach for research and benchmarking ( don’t make internet your only source of
data)
8. Address different functions of supply chain you learned during this semester, such as but not limited to:
• Purchasing / Buying
• Operations / Manufacturing
• Quality Management (ISO, quality systems)
• Warehousing / Distribution Centres
• Inventory Management
• Transportation
• Information Technology and Information Systems of logistics
It is not necessary that the business you investigate has all the above supply chain functions, but most do.
I expect you to have 1-2 areas of focus
Your final report will evaluate the following:
1. Draw and briefly explain the structure of the company/business with all its functions/departments.
Mention also the rough number of employees in each function.
2. Map the current supply chain process of its products (Or one main product), from the very initial raw
material to the very final customer (This includes a number of other companies, upstream and/or
downstream to your company). Mention specific names of related companies.
a. Draw and explain the internal supply chain within the specific business you investigate. That is the
sequential step-by-step process within the specific company (Receiving from suppliers - Delivering to
customers).
b. Describe each of the Supply Chain functions and the main tasks / activities / challenges of the Supply
Chain personnel (Drivers, buyers, inventory, operations, quality, schedulers, etc).
c. Potential outsourcing for different parts of the supply chain
d. The current IT systems used (SW, HW..) and address all issues they face and suggest any other systems
you think they must have. (areas of automation)
e. Supply Chain Objectives: Financial / Performance Measurements / Key Success Factors / KPI /
Productivity and how to manage them.
f. Competition, comparisons with similar businesses, other relevant issues (Use the Internet, other sources).
g. Future trends, future developments, expansions/contraction, and environmental issues. The above sections
should include two parts: · A brief theoretical part (Textbook, library, Internet, other). · Practical part- the
actual situation at the specific business. You need to suggest how we can close the gap with your theoretical
part and the current situation
Your Report structure:
• Cover Page, including the name of the business and the names of the group with your n numbers
• Executive Summary. You should write this part after covering all the issues of the assignment, but it
should appear at the beginning of the report. In that way it will allow your client (or manager) to have
immediate, short and clear understanding of its main findings / conclusions / recommendations,
products/services, location. Use bullet points or short statements, for a total length of roughly 1 page.
• Content Page, numbering, titles,
• Body: Report on the 7 sections in sequence (1-7), clarity, drawing and typing
• Appendices
• References (Name, address and telephone number of the business you investigated, List of people and job
titles you spoke with, Books/Magazines/Internet, other references)
• Pictures (2-3) of the business visited, with the group members in it.
• E-file to my email
Regards Dr.K.
Member 1: Company Structure & Functions - Rishi
● Brief introduction to Staples.
● Overview of departments (Purchasing, Operations, Warehousing, IT, etc.).
● Rough number of employees in each function.
This person will also work on executive summary for the report
Member 2: External & Internal Supply Chain Mapping - Salina
● Draw and explain the external supply chain (suppliers → Staples → customers).
● Draw and explain the internal supply chain (receiving, warehousing, distribution, sales).
● Mention key suppliers and logistics partners. (Canva, Staples (tru red), Hub, Xerox, HP)
Member 3: Purchasing & Inventory Management - Husain
● How Staples sources products and manages supplier relationships.
● Inventory management strategies (Just-in-Time, automated restocking, RFID tracking).
● Challenges faced in procurement and inventory control.
Shrink, cycle counts, inventory day, Binning
Member 4: Warehousing, Distribution & Transportation - Maria
● Staples’ warehousing and distribution network.
● Transportation methods (partnerships with FedEx, UPS, own fleet).
● Efficiency and challenges in logistics and order fulfillment.
● Staples ships customers packages using Purolator, fed ex, DHL, Pudo, and Return bear however
for their personal shipments they use UPS
Member 5: IT Systems & Automation - Farhan
● Current IT systems (SAP, Oracle, POS systems).
● Areas of automation in supply chain management.
● Suggested improvements (AI forecasting, better warehouse automation).
(Talk about AS400, Easy app, The hub, Ukg dimension, Day force, POS System, compass, eway.
Member 6: Supply Chain Objectives & Performance Metrics - Hector
● Key performance indicators (order fulfillment rate, cost reduction, supply chain efficiency).
● How Staples measures success in its supply chain.
● Strategies to improve performance and reduce costs.
Member 7: Competition & Industry Comparison - Khrystyna
● Compare Staples’ supply chain with Office Depot, Amazon Business, and other competitors.
Best buy, canada Computers, Amazon, Walmart, Costco,
● Identify Staples’ strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement.
Staples vs. Best Buy vs. Dollarama: Supply Chain & Industry Comparison
Staples vs. Best Buy
Category
Staples
Best Buy
Product Focus
Office supplies, furniture, business
solutions, tech
Consumer electronics, home
appliances, tech accessories
Target Audience
Businesses, students, professionals
Tech enthusiasts, general consumers
Inventory Model
Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory, RFID
tracking
Warehouse-style inventory with higher
stock levels for major items
Logistics &
Delivery
Uses FedEx, Purolator, DHL; offers
same-day delivery in select areas
Uses Canada Post, UPS, FedEx;
focuses on in-store pickup and
delivery
Competitive
Edge
Strong B2B focus, corporate supply
solutions, print services
Large tech selection, Geek Squad
support, price matching
Weaknesses
Limited electronics selection, less
focus on consumer gadgets
Higher prices, tech-focused rather than
office needs
Key Takeaway:
● Best Buy outperforms in consumer electronics and home tech but lacks strong B2B services.
● Staples leads in business supply chain solutions and bulk office orders, making it the better
choice for corporate clients.
Staples vs. Dollarama
Category
Staples
Dollarama
Product Focus
Office supplies, tech, business
solutions
Discount products, seasonal items, some
office & school supplies
Target Audience
Businesses, students, professionals
Budget-conscious shoppers, households
Inventory Model
JIT inventory, barcode & RFID
tracking
High-volume, low-cost bulk purchasing
Logistics &
Delivery
Partners with major couriers
(FedEx, Purolator)
In-store only with limited e-commerce
Competitive Edge
High-quality office supplies,
corporate partnerships
Extremely low prices, wide product
variety
Weaknesses
Higher pricing, not focused on
budget shoppers
Limited tech, no same-day delivery,
inconsistent stock
Key Takeaway:
● Dollarama wins on price and accessibility but lacks inventory tracking and reliable e-commerce.
● Staples provides higher-quality products, business services, and advanced logistics but at a
higher cost.
Final Conclusion
● Best Buy is Staples’ closest competitor for electronics and tech services but does not focus on
office supplies.
● Dollarama competes in low-cost office supplies, but Staples dominates in quality, logistics, and
business solutions.
● Staples remains the top choice for corporate clients, while Best Buy and Dollarama serve
different market segments.
Member 8: Future Trends & Sustainability - Victoria ( part G)
● Discuss sustainability efforts (eco-friendly packaging, energy-efficient stores, supply chain
sustainability).
● For sustainability they currently offer recycling services of toner, batteries, printers, office
supplies, and electronics which are rebated to customers or a discount is provided
● However, a lot of paper currently gets wasted at the print department and goes in the garbage
however it can be recycled
● Future trends (automation, AI-driven logistics, e-commerce adaptation).
● Expansion plans or challenges Staples might face.
● Talk about their partnership with Bell, Amazon, SHEIN, temu, and Service Canada
Husain, Salina, and Maria will get insider info on the company and add to your sections or message in the
group, use that info as well to answer your parts
Supply chain analysis of Staples Canada
SCM 3503
Khaldoon Zaid Kaylani
supply chain
Maria Chantzis -N01605071
Husain Kothari - N015878400
Salina Shabuddin - N01474795
Farhan Anwar Khan - N01547555
Victoria Bozzo - N01474505
Rishi Khanna - N01465104
Khrystyna Rohashevska - N01574950
Hector Torres Menendez N01639488
Carlos Sanchez Calderon
Executive Summary.
You should write this part after covering all the issues of the assignment, but it should appear at the
beginning of the report. In that way it will allow your client (or manager) to have immediate, short and clear
understanding of its main findings / conclusions / recommendations, products/services, location. Use bullet
points or short statements, for a total length of roughly 1 page.
Content Page, numbering, titles,
Supply chain performance metrics
Staples’ supply chain objectives center on improving operational efficiency, minimizing costs and ensuring
high levels of customer satisfaction and service quality. The company measures its supply chain
performance through a set of key performance indicators (KPI). These provide insights into each stage of its
operations. Some of the different KPIs Staples Canada use are the following:
KPI
Definition
Importance
Order fulfillment rate
Percentage of orders delivered on time
and in full
Reflects customer satisfaction
and delivery accuracy
Inventory turnover
Frequency at which inventory is sold and Measures demand and
replaced
inventory efficiency
On-time delivery
Percentage of shipments received on or
before the scheduled time.
Ensures sustainability of
operations and customer trust
Order cost
Cost to process an order
Cost-efficiency of the products
SC Cycle time
Time from order placement and delivery
of it.
Measures speed and
responsiveness
Return rate
Percentage of products returned due to
defects or delivery errors
Highlights quality control and
satisfaction
Carbon footprint
Environmental impact from logistics and
products
Measures corporate
sustainability goals
In order to manage these KPIs effectively, Staples uses a combination of warehouse management systems
(WMS), enterprise resource planning platforms (ERP) and business intelligence tools such as Power BI. All
these systems help track order accuracy, inventory levels and delivery schedules. In practice, Staples has a
great 98% order accuracy rate and always tries to have a next-day delivery for its business clients.
Strategies to improve performance and reduce costs
Automation and robotics: Enhances speed and reduces labour costs
Supplier optimization: Improves reliability and reduces costs
Transportation optimization: Reduces delays and fuel expenses
Demand forecasting: Predictive analytics help prevent overstock and stockouts
Sustainable packaging and delivery: Aligning environmental and corporate responsibility goals (IF YOU
THINK THIS IS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH, REMOVE IT)
Staples is actively integrating automation in warehouses and distribution centers, optimizing supplier
relationships and improving delivery logistics with AI tools to reduce shipping time and costs. For example
with the innovation of machine learning, algorithms are being used to calculate demand forecasting and
route efficiency. Moreover, Staples is investing in sustainable supply chain practices, such as reducing
packaging waste, using recycled materials and using electric vehicles.
While Staples is performing incredibly in many areas, there is still a gap between theoretical best practices
and the current situation. Staples has partially implemented analytic systems but could largely benefit from
transitioning to a cloud-based ERP and using tools like Llamasoft for AI-driven supply chain planning.
These strategies position Staples to remain competitive while aligning with both financial and
environmental objectives.
Warehousing and transportation
Overview:
Staples Canada, in our case Store 011; leverages a well structured distribution network that ensures efficient
product delivery and restocking from regional distribution centers. Staples operates with a robust inventory
management system, utilizing barcode scanning and RFID to keep track of stock and minimize
discrepancies (Staples Canada, n.d.).
The store maintains its adherence to Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory systems to reduce storage costs while
ensuring that products are available to meet customer demands. Mismatches in inventory are rare, attributed
to the high accuracy of its automated systems (Staples Canada, n.d.).
Transportation and shipping:
For Store 011, customers have two main shipping options: standard shipping or same-day delivery. These
services are managed through Staples' own logistics network, rather than third-party shipping companies
like UPS, FedEx, or Purolator.
Standard Shipping:
Orders that total $35 or more are eligible for free shipping within Canada, excluding some rural locations.
For orders under $35, a $5.99 shipping fee applies (Staples Canada, 2021). Standard shipping typically
delivers within 5-7 business days in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and other major cities (Staples Canada,
2021).
Same-Day Delivery:
Same day shipping is processed promptly for next-business-day delivery if orders are placed by 12:00 PM
on weekdays (Staples Canada, 2021).
Returns and package pickup services:
Staples also provides various services to enhance the customer experience that includes:
Amazon Returns: Customers can easily return Amazon products by scanning a QR code and affixing a
barcode label. These returns are placed in a designated box that is shipped out to Amazon once full,
streamlining the returns process (Staples Canada, 2023).
Package Pickup: While UPS and Canada Post are not available, customers can retrieve packages from
FedEx, Purolator, and DHL through the store’s designated pickup services (Staples Canada, n.d.).
Logistical challenges and efficiency measures:
Staples minimizes inventory mismatches through barcode tracking, real-time inventory updates, and
automated stock replenishment systems. Each item in the store is assigned a unique SKU (Stock Keeping
Unit) and is tracked using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and barcode scanning. When a product is
sold, the system immediately updates inventory levels, ensuring accurate stock counts.
Additionally, Staples employs demand forecasting models, analyzing historical sales data, seasonal trends,
and local purchasing patterns. This helps predict demand fluctuations, allowing the store to stock highdemand products while avoiding overstocking on low-turnover items.
Despite these systems, occasional inventory mismatches can occur due to human error during restocking,
scanning issues, or delays in system updates. To address this, Staples conducts cycle counting audits, where
employees manually verify stock levels against system records to correct discrepancies (Staples Canada,
n.d.).
Cost efficiency and supply chain strategy
Staples employs a hub-and-spoke distribution model, where products are shipped from centralized regional
warehouses to individual retail stores. This reduces transportation costs by consolidating shipments rather
than sending multiple small deliveries.
By leveraging its own logistics infrastructure, Staples can manage transportation costs effectively and
provide customers with multiple shipping options directly.
Future considerations and service expansion:
To further optimize its logistics, Staples could explore several advancements.
Implementing micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) - small, automated warehouses within or near stores, could
accelerate order fulfillment and reduce delivery times.
Integrating AI-driven inventory management would enhance demand forecasting by analyzing broader
datasets, including economic trends and competitor pricing, leading to more accurate stock management.
Expanding partnerships to include Canada Post or UPS could provide customers with greater shipping
flexibility, addressing gaps in service availability.
Additionally, introducing smart lockers for package pickup would allow customers to retrieve online
orders outside store hours, reducing staff dependency and improving convenience.
These innovations could potentially streamline Staples’ supply chain, enhance cost efficiency, and improve
overall customer satisfaction.
Body: Report on the 7 sections in sequence (1-7), clarity, drawing and typing
Appendices
References
(Name, address and telephone number of the business you investigated, List of people and job titles you
spoke with, Books/Magazines/Internet, other references)
Staples - located at 1750 The Queensway, Toronto, ON M9C 5H5, Phone: (416) 620-5674
Lisa Tari - Services manager at store 11
Marco Ceserano - General manager at store 11
Pictures (2-3) of the business visited, with the group members in it.