Retail super-giant Wal-Mart has fought its way to becoming the world's largest company. Wal-Mart’s legendary supply chain technology has allowed them to break the three-day barrier that some economists in the eighties felt that it was unbreakable. In other words, Wal-Mart is often able to replenish items on the Wal-Mart shelf in less than three days – not from the central warehouse to the shelf, but from the manufacturer to the shelf. With quick and reliable 2-day turn around, Wal-Mart is able to maintain lower levels of inventory and still meet customer demand. These lower inventory levels result in either a reduced floor plan with lower carrying costs and lower interest expense – or a greater diversity of products on the store shelves.
A lack of proper coordination of transport operations or excessive administrative and documentary requirements can neutralize any effort or investment in increasing commercial speed.

Safety of goods is equally important. Any loss or damage—because of theft, mishandling, poor quality packaging, or physical damage caused by accident—will result in goods not being available at the expected time and place, or in the expected condition. The financial consequences of such non-availability, in addition to the cost of loss or damage, are similar to the time reliability consequences mentioned above.

Uncertainties related to issues such as schedules, breakages, loss, and rules and regulations are faced by traders and may disadvantage exporters and importers.

Security measures are necessary to guarantee the protection of global supply chains against acts of terrorism or other unexpected threats. Beyond the loss of human life and material destruction, a terrorist attack will disrupt the flow of goods within a global supply chain.

The above-mentioned considerations indicate that trading opportunities can benefit from better-organized supply chain services. To increase the competitiveness of existing supply chains, sellers and buyers must adapt their commercial practices to meet customers’ supply chain requirements, and governments must provide logistics service providers with institutional, regulatory, and