VICS VICS Supply Chain

Our Value Proposition

VICS is a not-for-profit association that is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. All initiatives are driven by its membership. It is a voluntary organization that provides a neutral, collaborative environment, where trading partners, competitors and service providers can come together to develop innovative ideas into practical business applications. One of the key strengths of VICS is the diversity of its members, who exchange ideas, concepts and practices and in doing so improve the retail supply chain. Total annual sales of VICS members exceed $2 Trillion, making it one of the largest industry associations.

VICS has a legacy of developing business guidelines and processes that have improved supply chain management effectiveness and efficiency, while increasing retail sales. The use of the bar code in physical distribution, EDI, Quick Response, Floor-Ready Merchandise, the VICS Bill of Lading and Collaborative Planning. Forecasting & Replenishment (CPFR®) are examples of successful business practices. By employing the guidelines and processes developed by the various VICS committees, the retail industry has become a leader in supply chain practices across all industry, dramatically improving efficiency and effectiveness, taking billions to the bottom line over the last 20 years.

Successful companies maintain an external posture, i.e. they ensure that they are employing the business practices that optimize performance. They also are aware of developments in new products or service offerings by encouraging their organizations to become and continue to be involved in outside activities. Typically this is done through relationships with academic institutions, trade associations and consulting organizations. VICS is a unique organization where active involvement results in a combination of education, awareness and the practical application of solutions.

Current areas of focus that will make a significant contribution to the retail industry include:

  • Improve speed to market by eliminating, through education and information, obstacles caused by non-compliance to retail vendor requirements.
  • Develop a global logistics model that includes the employment of technology, business processes, and the identification of organizational requirements for effective supply chain management.
  • In collaboration with GS1 Taiwan and GS1 Hong Kong, assist in the development of the “Global Collaborative Commerce Logistics” initiative. The objective is to improve speed to market and global supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Create apparel and electronic verticals that will address domestic and global challenges specific to these industries.
  • In cooperation with GS1 US and the American Trucking Association (ATA), improve the implementation of EDI transportation transaction sets.
  • Explore the potential benefits of Collaborative Product Design for apparel, in cooperation with GS1 Hong Kong. Building a case for action, ROI model and a roadmap for successful implementation.
  • Support Penn State University’s Data Integrity Research.

The Bottom Line: For the past 20 years VICS has been delivering a strong value proposition to its members. The model established by VICS’ founders, who were committed to improving efficiency and effectiveness of the retail supply chain, continues to demonstrate its viability. VICS members remain committed to excellence and the principles of integrity and objectiveness. VICS is a strong trademark that stands for value.

Join VICS today!