THE BMZ ACADEMY
@061 262 1185/068 053 82
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, The BMZ Academy @ 061 262
Cover
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, The BMZ Academy @ 061 262
Table of Contents
Question 1 .................................................................................................................. 4
Question 2 .................................................................................................................. 4
Question 3 .................................................................................................................. 5
Question 4 .................................................................................................................. 5
Question 5 .................................................................................................................. 6
References ................................................................................................................. 7
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, The BMZ Academy @ 061 262
Question 1
According to News24 (2025), Woolworths needs to diversify its supplier base for
enhancing the resilience of supply chains in reducing disruptions by supplier issues
and extreme weather events. On the contrary, relying entirely on one or few suppliers
increases vulnerability to unexpected shortages while on the other hand some
suppliers provide flexibility and continuity in supply according to Ivanov and Dolgui
(2021). A wider supplier network encourages competition regarding price and service
quality besides risk mitigation (Tang & Veelenturf, 2019). Complexity and cost go with
managing multiple suppliers including coordination and assurance in quality as well as
relationship-building management as mentioned by Christopher (2022). Therefore,
Woolworths needs to adopt strategic supplier diversification involving a mix of primary
and backup suppliers to ensure supply continuity while optimising costs and
operational efficiency.
Question 2
In today globally diffused academic scholarship, demand management, in
Woolworths, is an important dimension that maintains supply flows through improving
forecasting capabilities, synchronised supply with demand and responsive supply
chains as cited in Jacobs and Chase (2021). Using powerful demand planning
systems such as machine learning and predictive analytics, for instance, would help
Woolworths identify buying patterns along with moulding possible seasonal
fluctuations that would support replenishing stock beforehand as asserted by Ivanov
and Dolgui (2021). With strengthened internal supplier collaboration by integrated
demand-sharing platforms, floor space would be able to support production and
distribution real-time adjustments, lead-time reductions and consistency in supply
(Tang & Veelenturf, 2019). Furthermore, Christopher (2022) highlighted that
implementing demand-driven inventory techniques such es demand sensing and
automated replenishment could see improvements in stock availability while reducing
costs brought about through excess inventory. Such measures would place
Woolworths in a better position in predicting, understanding and responding to any
such changes.
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213