Distribution alimentaire et prestation de services logistiques

For many years, European food retailers have been controlling the logistics channel by setting up or taking over distribution centers whose task it is to supply the stores network in the place of manufacturers and wholesalers. However the present trend is to subcontract the management of operations to such third-party logistics providers as have acquired a sound experience in this field. The latter more and more often offer tailored solutions, rather than standard ones, which exactly meet the requirements of each shipper. The paper focuses on this theme and develops in particular the French system, by showing that it stands apart from the general scheme, owing to the weight of history in the definition of logistical choices. The food retailers having opted for own account distribution, at the very start, find it very difficult to give it up today. Yet when such is the case, the outsourcing process remains marginal and favours a policy of cost reduction.