E-Business Resit Coursework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

E-Business Resit Coursework - Essay Example The adoption of e–business is not restricted to any particular industry or particular company. From high tech aerospace industry to the farming industry, several companies of various sizes are conducting e–business activities at present. The paper will analyze the impact of internet and other digital technology in the supply chain process of retail industry (Jorge, 2008). The company chosen for retail industry is Topshop, a retail apparel company of the UK. It is a brand of Arcadia Group, a retailing giant of the UK. Topshop had earned its uniqueness through its own marketing strategies, retailing methods and online businesses (Topshop, n.d.). Impact of Internet on Supply Chain Process The impact of internet and digital technology in the market and within the general business performances are significant. In retail industry of the UK, the direct business system through internet had been applied by many companies. With regard to Topshop, it allows customers to choose any product through website and sell products without heavily depending on third–party distributors. The e– business of Topshop also assures convenience and cost cutback (Levi & Et. Al., 2004). A retail company such a Topshop is very successful in developing internet business model that let it to increase revenue radically and capture the market. According to Topshop, it sold almost 30 brace of knickers per minute, 500 brace of legging per hour and 6000 brace of jeans per day in the year 2006. The internet acts as a driver for business alteration (Rushton, 2007). The supply chain process is often viewed as a tactical asset as it has the strength to make a difference and develop sustainable advantage in the competitive economy. Presently, several new business enterprises had appeared to have complete advantage of the e–business e.g. ‘drop shipping’ which had rapidly gained reputation among retailers. In this system, an e–tailor takes order for pr oduct and provides the producer or distributor opportunity to send the product to the purchaser. In this system, the e–tailor does not possess any stock. Through the alteration of conventional supply chain process, the ‘drop shipping’ system helps to transfer the inventory management related difficulties to the producers (Feng, 2008). Impact of Internet on Retail Sector The retail industry had reacted lately to the competition from e–business environment and to identify the prospects offered by the internet. In recent times, the scene has changed, as many retail companies such as Topshop had introduced internet shopping to their offerings. Topshop knows the benefit they can have by entering into e-business. TopShop has its own virtual trade store and it services the products by its existing storehouse and supply chain network. High quantity products, whose demand is balanced with the supply on the basis of long-term estimation, are stocked in stores. In ca se of low quantity products, the storing is done centrally for the purpose of internet marketing. The products which are purchased online have high volatility of demand, thus the centralised stocking helps to