Case Study: How a Supplier Prevented a Rejection at Clicks DC

By LMC Express Best Practices, Business Advice, Clients, Community, LMC Express Clicks DC, DC compliance, distribution centre delivery, LMC Express, pallet labelling, pallet preparation, retail logistics, SKU mapping, SMME logistics, supply chain South Africa 0 Comments

Delivering to a retailer distribution centre (DC) requires careful preparation. Even small mistakes can cause delays, rejections, or additional handling. For many suppliers, especially small and medium-sized businesses, these issues can disrupt deliveries and increase costs.

In one recent case, a small supplier sent a pallet containing mixed products to the Clicks Distribution Centre. The pallet did not include a clear SKU mapping, which helps the DC identify and process each product correctly.

Without proper SKU mapping, the pallet was at risk of being delayed for manual checking. This process can take time and may slow down the receiving process at the distribution centre.

Fortunately, the issue was identified early during the pre-check process by the logistics team. Instead of allowing the pallet to move forward with errors, the team quickly took action to correct the problem.

The team completed several important steps to fix the issue:

Rebuilt the pallet
The products were reorganized to ensure they were stacked correctly and safely for delivery.
Re-labelled the products
Clear and accurate labels were added to make identification easier for the distribution centre.
Created a clear SKU map
A proper SKU mapping document was prepared so that the DC could quickly match each product to its correct listing.

Because the problem was corrected before delivery, the pallet arrived at the Clicks DC fully prepared and compliant. As a result, the shipment was accepted on the first scan, without delays or manual inspection.

This situation shows how a small correction can make a big difference. By identifying issues early and fixing them quickly, suppliers can avoid rejections and keep their deliveries running smoothly.

Preparing pallets correctly for distribution centres is an important part of the supply chain. With the right checks and preparation, suppliers can ensure that their products reach stores faster and without unnecessary complications.