Focus on increasing capacity

Coop, traditionally anchored in bricks-and-mortar retail, already recorded a sharp increase in orders via the online store Coop.ch during the lockdown in spring 2020. The logistics structures reached their capacity limits in the face of this unforeseeable surge in demand. A quick solution therefore had to be found to create more storage space and offer customers additional delivery windows.

Coop initiated a 2-pillar strategy: first, a product range was defined that would ensure the basic supply of an average Swiss household. These products were then to be handled via a 6,000 m² warehouse that was rented at short notice, which had to be equipped with a new IT and logistics infrastructure and connected to the Coop network within just 14 days. Wamas was implemented together with SSI Schäfer. At the same time, more than 100 order pickers were trained to use the logistics software, which has been used since commissioning to efficiently manage the rapid processing of online orders via 300 pick-up locations with multiple placement.

Software standard and team strength as project accelerators

Coop has been relying on SSI Schaefer for its warehouse management since 2001. The retail and wholesale company relies on a standardized Warehouse Management System (WMS) solution at all locations. The integrated software standard tailored to Coop's needs and the trust in the partner's know-how built up over the course of 20 years of cooperation were, according to Coop, decisive in successfully mastering even unplanned events: "Setting up and commissioning a warehouse from scratch in just 14 days is only possible with reliable partners and a team in which everyone knows what to do and can rely on each other 100%," says Martin Nyfeler, Head of IT, WW Logistics/SCM, Coop, emphasizing the successful cooperation with SSI Schaefer.