QUESTION $4$

$(20$ Marks$)$

Hisence Electronics, a multinational corporation focused on manufacturing electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, sources components from multiple countries, including Japan and China. However, the company faces challenges with its South African operations, where it typically experiences a $21-$working$-$day lead time for supplies, impacting operational efficiency. Supply Chain Director Rubby Danhpath is exploring potential strategies to tackle this issue. Examine some of the options he should be contemplating.

QUESTION $5$

$(20$ Marks$)$

Shoprite continues to maintain its front$-$runner position in SA's grocery industry, edging its retail rivals that are reeling from moribund economic growth and lower spend by hard$-$pressed consumers. Shoprite is really taking market share from competitors. It must be an absolute nightmare to compete with Shoprite because it is so powerful," said Cassie Treumicht, portfolio manager at Gryphon Asset Management. The retail giant continues to reinvent new supply chain management measures to improve on its profitability, market dominance and efficiency. Evaluate the relevance of the Vendor Managed Inventory $($VMI$)$ approach for the Shoprite group in improving its efficiency and profitability.