Introduction:

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In the consumer goods industry, managing product waste is a critical challenge, especially when it comes to near-expiry products. Our client, a leader in manufacturing and distributing consumer products, faced significant financial and environmental penalties due to the destruction of unsold inventory. Millions of dollars worth of near-expiry products were being destroyed annually, which not only impacted their bottom line but also harmed their corporate image as an environmentally responsible company. The lack of an efficient system to manage and repurpose near-expiry inventory exacerbated these issues.

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Challenge:

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The client’s primary challenge was the high levels of product waste due to expiration, which led to significant financial losses and environmental penalties. The company was destroying millions of dollars worth of near-expiry products each year, resulting in substantial financial drain and missed opportunities for waste reduction. Additionally, the company lacked a system that could efficiently manage near-expiry inventory and repurpose it in a way that aligned with their sustainability goals. ‍

Solution:

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To address these challenges, we developed and implemented an internal e-commerce platform tailored specifically to the client’s needs. This solution transformed their approach to managing near-expiry inventory by offering employees and their families access to discounted products that were nearing expiration. The platform featured:

• A user-friendly online interface accessible to employees and their families
• A real-time inventory management system for tracking near-expiry products
• An automated pricing system offering significant discounts on products nearing expiration
• Seamless order processing and fulfillment integration with existing logistics systems

Additionally, we incorporated personalized product recommendations based on employee preferences, a mobile-responsive design for easy access across devices, transparent expiration date information for all listed products, and gamification elements to encourage participation and increase engagement. Key features also included reporting tools that allowed the company to track waste reduction and measure the financial impact of the platform.

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Results:

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The implementation of this internal e-commerce platform resulted in remarkable improvements in waste reduction, financial savings, and environmental impact. Quantifiable outcomes included:

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• A 40% reduction in product waste due to expiration
• An 85% decrease in environmental penalties related to product destruction
• A 50% improvement in inventory turnover for near-expiry products
• Thousands of dollars in annual savings from avoided waste and penalties
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Beyond these measurable results, the platform also delivered several qualitative benefits:

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• Enhanced employee satisfaction due to access to discounted products
• Improved corporate image as an environmentally responsible company
• Better alignment of inventory management with corporate social responsibility goal

By transforming how they managed near-expiry inventory, our client not only reduced waste but also improved employee engagement and reinforced their commitment to sustainability. This project successfully aligned their operational goals with their corporate social responsibility initiatives, leading to both financial savings and a positive environmental impact.