We Will Be Posting 2008 Dates and Hosts Soon!
Host Company Information:
LifeWay Stores carry a wide variety of products including Bibles, Bible reference books and software, books, Christian growth and teaching resources, music, videos, hymnals, greeting cards, gifts, church programs and supplies, mission resources and religious apparel. All of these products are fulfilled out of a combined 520,000 square feet of warehouse space.
LifeWay Christian Stores first began in 1920 as the Baptist Book Store, part of the Baptist Sunday School Board, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention. The name was changed in 1998 when the corporation changed its name to LifeWay Christian Resources.
The retail division offers biblically-based products of interest to Christians and seekers that are relevant, high-quality and of high value to customers.
In addition to the 130+ brick-and-mortar stores located in 23 different states in the U.S., products are also offered through an online channel, www.lifewaystores.com, as well as a special services area geared toward the specific needs of churches and ministries. More than 1,000 full and part-time employees work in LifeWay's retail division.
Register for the Retail Replenishment ShareGroup
Dates: April 23-24, 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Retail Distribution ShareGroup Fee: $995 for the first person, $400 for each additional participant. The cost includes Monday and Tuesday's breakfasts and lunches, conference room rental, ShareGroup Resource binder, and Monday evening’s special event.
Monday Evening’s Special Event: We have reserved a skybox at Greer Stadium to watch the Nashville Sounds (farm team for Milwaukee Brewers) play the Iowa Cubs (farm team for Chicago Cubs). All food and drink is included in the ShareGroup fee. The Sounds were number one in their division in 2006. The skybox has an incredible view of the field and is going to be a great night out watching America’s favorite past time!
Register for the Retail Replenishment ShareGroup
ShareGroup Elements
A ShareGroup should be looked at as having 4 parts to it: 1) Operational benchmarking metrics, 2) small group hot topic discussions, 3) facility tour and audit of LifeWay, and most importantly 4) networking opportunity with other directors and managers of Retail warehouses and operations.
Operational Benchmarking Metrics
We will be reviewing a series of benchmarking metrics and reports that show the operating cost and productivity comparisons between participating companies. There are over 100 different metrics that are benchmarked within your company’s operations. These benchmarks are to be used as a “barometer” at your company to identify where you stand at this particular time and where you should focus your attention to maximize improvements in your operations. The detailed operational data and profiles will provide actionable benchmarks for Retail distribution/replenishment operations as well as the opportunity to question the source for an even greater understanding.
Hot Topics and Group Discussions (click to view)
The Retail Distribution/Replenishment ShareGroup will bring together Retail distribution/replenishment managers in an open forum setting to discuss and examine benchmarking data; key Retail distribution/replenishment issues; and best practices in retail distribution/replenishment within multi-channel businesses. A ShareGroup is a peer-to-peer exchange of ideas, and as such, prior to participating, each registrant is going to be asked about his or her areas of interest so that these hot topics can be entered into the meeting’s agenda as Talking Points. The agenda is updated regularly after each company is interviewed up until the ShareGroup, and will be e-mailed to participants prior to the ShareGroup.
Facility Tour and Audit
Along with the many roundtable discussions held during the ShareGroup, participants will be conducting a tour and intense operational audit of LifeWay's combined 520,000 square feet of warehouse space in Nashville, TN. The operational audit will be done through a detailed analysis of the warehouse layout and product flow as part of the warehouse tour. This is an opportunity to observe how your peers analyze and assess Retail distribution/replenishment operations, and learn from each other as you tour the facility of LifeWay.
Register for the Retail Replenishment ShareGroup
Who is Eligible to Participate
To become a member of the 2007 Retail Distribution/Replenishment ShareGroup, your company must: own your Retail Distribution/Replenishment operations, have annual sales in excess of $15 million, have at least 5 Retail locations, and be able to split out Retail Distribution/Replenishment costs from other distribution costs if multi-channel.
Who Should Attend this ShareGroup?
This two-day ShareGroup is developed for the Vice President of Operations, Retail Warehouse Director/Managers, Retail area leads and managers (I.e. Shipping Manager), and others responsible for day-to-day operations of the Retail Distribution/Replenishment of your distribution center.
Membership in this Retail Benchmarking ShareGroup does not require that your company divulge any competitive information on merchandising, marketing, or pricing strategies. It does, however, require your commitment to actively and openly share warehouse operations data in exchanges with other members of the ShareGroup.
From the data collected, your company will be able to assess how your operation measures up to other catalog companies. You will also be able to discover and discuss ideas that will help you improve your warehouse operation and implement new methods and concepts with greater confidence.
2007 Retail Replenishment ShareGroup Registration
Fill out the form below to reserve your spot.
