How PetSmart Optimized Store Operations Through Superior Supply Chain Visibility
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- America
Country
- Canada
- United States
Product
- FourKites
Tech Stack
- Predictive Analytics
- Real-Time Visibility
- Advanced Analytics Tools
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
- Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software
Applicable Industries
- Retail
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases
- Supply Chain Visibility
- Fleet Management
- Predictive Maintenance
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company operates more than 1,650 pet stores in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and employs approximately 56,000 associates. PetSmart offers a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, and pet adoption. The retailer works with over 3,500 animal welfare organizations to facilitate pet adoptions and has facilitated more than 9 million adoptions. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S.
The Challenge
PetSmart faced significant challenges with late and early deliveries, which disrupted store operations and increased labor costs across its 1,650 stores in the U.S. and Canada. With over 180,000 shipments annually, these disruptions led to unnecessary communication loops between store associates, carriers, and company headquarters. This situation strained customer-facing personnel and reduced overall productivity. PetSmart needed a solution to bring greater visibility to its deliveries in transit, identify the causes of disruptions, and minimize their impact on staff productivity.
The Solution
In early 2019, PetSmart selected FourKites to provide freight visibility as a competitive advantage for its supply chain. By partnering with FourKites, PetSmart was able to track the locations of North American shipments by truckload, less-than-truckload, ocean, and rail. Within six months, PetSmart had nearly completed integration, tracking more than 95% of its outbound carriers with over 80% consistency. The company also developed a customized alert system with FourKites' engineering team to automatically notify store managers and associates of incoming deliveries and delays. This system provided ETA updates at regular intervals, starting six hours out from a delivery arrival to one hour before the truck arrives.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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