Efficient supply chains are no longer a “nice to have” for African importers, wholesalers and distributors—they are a profit lever. The right supply chain optimisation tools can reduce stockouts, cut waste, and give you the visibility you need to grow confidently.

Wigmore Trading works with FMCG brands, retailers and distributors across Africa, using technology and data to make complex supply chains simpler and more profitable.

What are supply chain optimisation tools in modern trade?

Supply chain optimisation tools are systems and technologies that help you plan, execute and monitor every step of your supply chain more effectively.

For importers, wholesalers and retailers in Africa, these tools typically include:

• Inventory management and reordering systems

• Demand forecasting and sales analytics

• Shipment tracking and logistics visibility platforms

• Supplier and purchase order management tools

• Warehouse management and picking optimisation

When these tools work together, you gain real-time insight into what is in transit, what is in stock and what your customers are likely to order next. That is where Wigmore Trading can help you turn data into practical action.

Key supply chain optimisation tools to cut costs

The right mix of supply chain optimisation tools depends on your business model, but several categories deliver fast, measurable value:

1. Inventory planning tools
   These tools calculate optimal stock levels across multiple warehouses and markets, helping you avoid both overstock and stockouts.

   • Safety stock calculation

   • Automated reordering

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   • ABC analysis to prioritise fast-moving SKUs

2. Demand forecasting tools
   Using historical sales, seasonality and promotions, forecasting tools predict future demand so you can ship the right quantities into each market. This is especially powerful for FMCG and food products with limited shelf life.

3. Shipment tracking and logistics tools
   End-to-end tracking—from port to warehouse to final customer—reduces delays and improves customer communication. You see where containers, pallets and key orders are at any moment.

4. Warehouse and fulfilment optimisation tools
   Tools that optimise picking routes, pallet configuration and storage allocation can significantly reduce handling time and errors.

Wigmore Trading integrates these kinds of tools into its own operations to move goods more efficiently across borders, giving customers quicker, more reliable deliveries.

How Wigmore Trading uses supply chain optimisation tools for you

Wigmore Trading combines supply chain optimisation tools with on-the-ground experience in African markets. This means you benefit from technology without having to build everything yourself.

Here is how we support your supply chain:

• Consolidated sourcing and shipping
  We aggregate orders from multiple suppliers, optimising container loads and routes to lower landed costs.

• Demand-driven stockholding
  Using sales and market data, we hold the right products in the right quantities, so you can buy closer to need and free up cash.

• Transparent logistics and documentation
  Our internal tracking and process tools mean smoother export/import documentation, clearer timelines and fewer costly delays.

• Category expertise in FMCG and staples
  Because Wigmore Trading focuses on foodstuffs, FMCG and fast-moving essentials, our optimisation decisions are grounded in real category behaviour, not just generic models.

Wigmore Trading can help you turn supply chain optimisation from a buzzword into a real operational advantage.

Choosing the right supply chain optimisation tools for your business

Not every business needs a full suite of enterprise systems from day one. The key is to select supply chain optimisation tools that match your current scale and growth plans.

Consider:

• Your pain points – Are you losing money on stockouts, obsolete stock, or freight charges?

• Your data – Do you already capture sales and inventory data that tools can use?

• Your structure – Single warehouse vs multi-market distribution will affect the tools you need.

• Your partners – A partner like Wigmore Trading may already have tools in place that you can plug into through your buying relationship.

Starting with a few targeted tools and leveraging Wigmore Trading’s infrastructure can deliver quick wins without heavy upfront investment.

Partner with Wigmore Trading to unlock supply chain optimisation tools

Supply chain optimisation tools are most powerful when combined with the right trading partner. Wigmore Trading offers:

• Established supplier networks and product sourcing

• Consolidated shipments and optimised freight

• Reliable warehousing and distribution across key African markets

• Data-driven planning to align supply with demand

If you want to cut costs, reduce risk and improve service levels, working with Wigmore Trading gives you both the tools and the execution capacity to make it happen.

Contact Wigmore Trading today to streamline your sourcing and unlock the full value of supply chain optimisation tools.