Consumers have much more influence in the marketplace today. What factors have led to this “empowered consumer” situation? How has this factor changed supply chains in the last 10 years? Will consumer influence continue, and what will be the impact on supply chains? Please cite your work.

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Vanessa Greenlee

Consumers have much more influence in the marketplace today. What factors have led to this “empowered consumer” situation? How has this factor changed supply chains in the last 10 years? Will consumer influence continue, and what will be the impact on supply chains? Please cite your work.

Some factors that have led to this empowered consumer situation is that the consumers have a lot more access to information. The internet alone allows consumers to compare pricing to other suppliers and see where they can get the product cheaper or where they can get the better product. Therefore , consumers are able to ask as well as expect competitive prices and they are able to customize their own products. Now that the customers have increased their buying from multiple suppliers that can go to the supplier that offers cheaper and better rates but also provides better quality and better service. However, this put a very large strain on the supply chain because they have to compete with other suppliers and provide consumers with this. This factor was and has changed in the supply chain in the last 10 years because more suppliers have evolved and came out with similar products like the competitive suppliers at a lower price to gain more customers. Yes the customers influence will continue because consumers are always  looking for a better way to save more money or get the best service for their buck. This will impact the supply chain because a supply chain will have to adapt to the changes and keep up with the demand.

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Michael Zamudio

Consumers constantly demand competitive prices, high quality, customization abilities, flexibility, and responsiveness. Also have an increase in buying power because of higher income levels. Change from "buyer beware" to "seller beware".
This influence will likely continue due to technologies' exponential growth, which will possibly hurt supply chains in terms of efficiency. The impact of consumer is much more direct for supply chains because the consumer has placed increased demands at the retail level for an expanded variety of products and services. responses to consumer demand has led to many different variations of the same basic product, stores being open 24/7 etc. echnology has given consumers the ability to easily log onto internet and compare prices, quality, and service. Consumers constantly demand competitive prices, high quality, customization abilities, flexibility, and responsiveness. Also have an increase in buying power because of higher income levels. Change from "buyer beware" to "seller beware".
This influence will likely continue due to technologies' exponential growth, which will possibly hurt supply chains in terms of efficiency. todays consumers are much more enlightened, educated, and empowered than ever before by the information that they have at their disposal from the internet and other sources.