The capability of grocery retailers to meet the needs and expectations of their customers could be being undermined by inefficiencies in their supply chain.

This is according to a new study from Blue Yonder, which spoke to 750 grocery managers and directors in the UK, US, Germany and France, finding that 90 per cent of interviewees have experienced issues meeting customer requirements.

It was shown that nearly 30 per cent said decision-making in the supply chain is slowing down the overall process and leaving them unable to keep pace with their customers. This problem was particularly keenly felt in the UK, where 38 per cent pointed to their supply chains as a problem.

Of these UK businesses, 34 per cent said legacy supply chain infrastructure is causing this problem, while 35 per cent felt leaner processes would be needed to help them meet the needs of their clients.

Professor Michael Feindt, founder of Blue Yonder, said: "No retailer will survive if they do not adapt their decision-making - whether in the supply chain or on the shop floor - to match the new clock-speed of the customer and keep pace with their expectations."