Slowness logistics

Abstract

Works conducted in logistics management mostly emphasize the importance of a `time compression' strategy to develop a sustainable competitive advantage. At the level of the design, manufacturing or distribution of products to consumers, high-speed orientation is now considered to be a universal source of performance. Drawing from current developments in the French food retailing industry, the paper points to a possible alternative path based on `slowness' logistics. This new time orientation is set in a context of the `theatricalization of low prices' adopted by an increasing number of large retailers.