A literature review on management of supply and distribution in the UK online grocery retailing: a resource-based view

Abstract

Although much has been discovered about online grocery retailing of Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose (ASTW) in the UK; research that provides a resource-based view (RBV) of stores and managerial capabilities advantages in supporting supply and distribution (S&D) of online groceries has not been discussed. In view of this gap, this research reviewed the literature, in the context of the four grocery eretailers, on how stores and managerial capabilities contribute to sustainable competitive advantage (SCA), superior performance, success and minimisation of supply and distribution challenges. First, current status and challenges to supply and distribution of online groceries are examined. Second, the prerequisite of store and managerial capability to RBV resource criterion is discussed. Finally, a provisional link is outlined that demonstrate SCA through a comparison of ASTWs’ online S&D models in relation to Fahy’s (2001) RBV criteria; necessitate further investigation; and indicate critical success factors to grocery e-retailing.