Vendorrun

Vendorrun is a term used in retail and supply chain management to describe a time-bound program in which a vendor assumes operational responsibility for specific activities within a retailer’s network. In a vendorrun, the vendor plans, funds, and executes elements such as stocking, merchandising, pricing, promotions, and in-store data collection for a defined product category or set of stores. The arrangement is typically contracted and governed by service-level agreements that specify duration, scope, KPIs, reporting, and accountability.

A vendorrun may occur during new product launches, category resets, seasonal promotions, or store openings, and is often used to accelerate execution, ensure on-shelf availability, and garner closer collaboration between supplier and retailer. The vendor deploys staff and tools on site, or uses remote management with real-time data sharing, and collaborates with the retailer’s operations and POS systems. The program ends with a debrief, performance analysis, and transfer of authority back to the retailer or to the vendor for continuous support under a separate arrangement.

Benefits include improved stock availability, faster market execution, better merchandising consistency, data-driven insights, and potential sales lift. Risks include cost overruns, misalignment of incentives, data-sharing concerns, and potential impact on retailer autonomy or labor relationships.

Related concepts include vendor-managed inventory, category captain, on-shelf execution, and store operations outsourcing.