Unilever Expanding Real-Time Supply Chain Model After Boosting Walmart OSA Rates
Unilever’s model integrates forecast and sales data in real time.
Unilever is expanding its collaborative end-to-end supply chain model to key global customers after a successful Walmart Mexico pilot delivered on-shelf availability (OSA) rates of over 98%.
First launched in 2022, the proprietary model integrates forecast and sales data in real time, including point-of-sale and inventory management data, Juan-Carlos Parada, Unilever global head of customer operations, tells CGT.
Consumer purchases of Unilever products are synchronized with the data source, generating a single forecast based on day/store sales to enable more rapid replenishment.
The system was first piloted across the CPG’s nutrition category and was subsequently rolled out across all of its in-store Walmart Mexico products. The increased data visibility and strong OSA rates have driven strong category growth in less than a year and reduced inventory, according to Parada, as they’ve improved in-stock and fill rates and forecast accuracy.