Consumer Electronic Products: Trends in European Distribution

Suggests that the restructuring of the European‐owned consumer electronics industry, and the relocation of manufacturing plants within Europe, will inevitably affect the distribution of their products. Considers that the centralization of production capacity, and a move away from country‐by‐country operations, will require major adjustments to transport systems and that incomers may also need to establish new systems of delivery from their new manufacturing points. Examines the current logistics practices and future expectations of major consumer electronics manufacturers operating in Europe, in the context of intense competitive rivalry and changing market structures, using empirical data gathered from companies operating in France, the United Kingdom and West Germany. While there are national differences, the results indicate growing involvement of multiple retailers in the distribution of consumer electronic products, further contracting out of manufacturers′ logistical operations, and growing demands on all logistics systems as order lead‐times continue to shorten.