The important role of feeder towns in African distribution
For centuries feeder towns and markets have played an important part in trade routes. Images of traders on camels on
Tag: The Supply Chain Lab
Think Juba not Jacksonville – supply chain issues in Africa
Some years ago, I attended a supply chain conference in South Africa addressed by an impressive list of speakers from
Challenges of micro retailers in frontier markets
The life of a micro retailer in frontier markets is often less than envious. High uncertainty and limited capital is
Garbage day in South Africa – informal recyclers’ role in the industry
It’s Friday, and that means garbage day in Emmarentia in Johannesburg. In the competitive world of recycling, that equals a
Business lessons I have learned from Somali traders
As a Somali associate of mine likes to say, when people think of Somalis, they only think of PTW (Piracy,
Kyrgyzstan – one sheep’s head and mare’s milk to go please
Hitting the street in Bishkek in summer you are confronted with an army of informal beverage stands popping up all
Botswana’s Choppies is showing their retail “chops” in Africa
A lot has been made of Shoprite and Walmart’s rivalry in Africa; or more specifically Shoprite’s success and Walmart’s failure
Red gold – hard to avoid Iran’s saffron
Travel with any Iranian man domestically, and he will likely be armed with a shopping list from a wife, mother
Why is supply chain so difficult in frontier markets?
Forecasting demand and managing stakeholder engagement are difficult at the best of times. As supply chains grow longer and more
Tehran’s Grand Bazaar – from Angry Birds to pomegranates
It is 8 am in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, and Mohsen is already six hours into his working day. His day
