Business Strategy: Collaboration in the Brand-Oriented Value Chain to Benefit Operations and the Consumer in 2012

This IDC Manufacturing Insights report is one in a series presenting our view on the state of collaboration between consumer products (CP) manufacturers and retailers. The first report focused on an economic review, followed by this report that includes an analysis of areas where we see either the highest current level of collaboration or the greatest future potential for collaboration. The report concludes with a look at the future of collaboration for retailers and their trading partners, along with insights on where companies should focus their collaborative efforts.

"It is our view that retail-CP collaboration is continuing on its path started in 2011 of organic collaboration — where certain processes allow for collaboration to occur naturally. Retailers and manufacturers must collaborate to meet the requirements of a consumer who now has ubiquitous access, and visibility, to the marketplace; demands personalization of products; and has a much more active influence on the products and services provided to them." — Simon Ellis, practice director, Global Supply Chain Strategies, IDC Manufacturing Insights