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Although integrated supply chains can take time to set up they have a lot of advantages.

-More efficient.

-More flexibility to respond to competitor’s actions or changes in demand.

-Better inventory management - less understocking and overstocking.

-Quicker at solving problems.

-Better customer service.

-Reduced waste.

-Maintained high quality.

-More reliable delivery rate.

A non-integrated supply chain may be good in the short term but it can lead to a lot of problems for the company.

-Disconnected flow of information and product.

-Less efficient.

-Unpredictable product delivery.

-Less easy to keep track of shipment or performance info.

-Customer service may be poor.

-Inconsistencies in the quality of product.

A non-integrated supply chain may work for a small business that is just starting out and doesn’t have a large amount of product.

However, large brands that are fast fashion orientated such as Zara need an integrated supply chain to keep up with customer demand.