Largest pet store chain in the Nordics use EPG for their local presence in China to support with sourcing, supplier management, corporate responsibility and supply-chain development.
Situation
As the largest pet specialty retailer in the Nordics, the client managed an extensive supplier network across China and Asia supporting hundreds of stores, multiple product categories and a growing private label business. To strengthen procurement capabilities while maintaining a lean headquarters organization, the company required a trusted local partner capable of managing daily sourcing operations, supplier relationships and procurement activities on the ground.
Rather than building its own local organization, the company appointed EPG as its dedicated buying office in China, operating as an integrated extension of its procurement, sourcing and category management teams.
Key challenges included:
• Managing a growing supplier base across multiple product categories.
• Strengthening supplier performance and long-term supplier development.
• Improving procurement execution and operational efficiency.
• Increasing transparency throughout the sourcing and supply chain process.
• Enhancing corporate responsibility and supplier compliance.
• Supporting continued international growth with a scalable local organization.
EPG Contribution
Operating as the client’s dedicated buying office in China, EPG assumed responsibility for both operational procurement activities and strategic supplier management.
Key responsibilities included:
• Managing daily sourcing, procurement and supplier communication.
• Supporting category managers with new product sourcing and repeat order management.
• Driving strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier development.
• Negotiating commercial agreements, pricing, payment terms and supply contracts.
• Managing supplier performance, quality assurance and production follow-up.
• Coordinating purchase order execution and delivery monitoring.
• Implementing corporate responsibility, supplier audits and CSR compliance.
• Monitoring product compliance, chemical requirements and quality standards.
• Maintaining supplier scorecards, vendor management and procurement reporting.
• Acting as the client’s permanent local procurement and buying organization in China.
Business Outcomes
By establishing EPG as its dedicated buying office in China, the client gained a permanent local organization that strengthened procurement execution, supplier performance and operational control while supporting continued international growth.
Key outcomes included:
• Stronger supplier relationships through continuous local supplier management.
• Improved procurement efficiency and day-to-day operational execution.
• Better commercial terms, purchasing conditions and payment structures.
• Higher supplier performance through structured supplier development.
• Increased transparency across sourcing, procurement and supply chain activities.
• Improved corporate responsibility, supplier compliance and product quality.
• Greater support for category managers through dedicated local sourcing expertise.
• A scalable buying office supporting long-term growth without the cost and complexity of operating an internal China office, managing Asia.
Client Confidentiality
To protect our clients’ commercial interests and confidentiality, company names have been omitted. All business cases are based on actual client engagements and measurable business results.
