The SCM movement began over a decade ago prompted by the theory of Quick Response (QR), an initiative introduced to improve the soft goods and apparel industry. In 1993, by adopting similar principles, the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) initiative (a SCM initiative for consumer goods industry worldwide), was incorporated into the FMCG sector across the United States. With growing consumer demands and competitive pressures worldwide, ECR quickly became a global initiative. SCM/ECR focuses on redesigning the supply chain processes by applying modern management methods and leading edge technologies to reduce overall costs and response times, whilst at the same time increasing the quality of the products and services that are provided. ECR Boards worldwide share the vision to:

"Focus on enhancing consumer values, with trading partners working together to better leverage the total supply chain benefits."

Leading European retailers soon established the ECR European Board as well as individual ECR Boards at country levels, which enabled them to accelerate the implementation of ECR throughout Europe.

The Global Commerce Initiative

Industry support is important to the crystallization of the bold vision of ECR.  The Global Commerce Initiative (GCI) is a voluntary industry body created in October 1999 to improve the performance of the international supply chain for consumer goods through the collaborative development and endorsement of recommend standards and key business processes.

GCI operates through an Executive Board composed of senior representatives of more than 45 companies drawn equally from manufacturing and retailing and doing business across continents or via global supply chains.  It operates under the sponsorship of eight existing organizations representing the interests of one million businesses, large and small.  More information about the initiative can be found at http://www.gci-net.org.