In this study, we examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food retail supply chains (SCs) and their resilience. Based on real-life pandemic scenarios encountered in Germany, we develop and use a discrete-event simulation model to examine SC operations and performance dynamics with the help of anyLogistix digital SC twin. The computational results show that food retail SC resilience at the upheaval times is triangulated by the pandemic intensity and associated lockdown/shutdown governmental measures, inventory-ordering dynamics in the SC, and customer behaviours. We observe that surges in demand and supplier shutdowns have had the highest impact on SC operations and performance, whereas the impact of transportation disruptions was rather low. Transportation costs have spiked because of chaotic inventory-ordering dynamics leading to more frequent and irregular shipments. On bright side, we observe the demand growth and utilization of online sales channels yielding higher revenues. We propose several directions and practical implementation guidelines to improve the food retail SC resilience. We stress the importance of SC digital twins and end-to-end visibility along with resilient demand, inventory, and capacity management. The outcomes of our study can be instructive for enhancing the resilience of food retail SCs in preparation for future pandemics and pandemic-like crises.

在本研究中，我们研究了 COVID-19 大流行对食品零售供应链 (SC) 及其弹性的影响。基于在德国遇到的真实大流行场景，我们开发并使用离散事件仿真模型，借助 anyLogistix 数字 SC 双胞胎来检查 SC 操作和性能动态。计算结果表明，动荡时期的食品零售 SC 弹性由大流行强度和相关的锁定/关闭政府措施、SC 中的库存订购动态和客户行为进行三角测量。我们观察到，需求激增和供应商停工对 SC 运营和绩效的影响最大，而运输中断的影响相当小。由于混乱的库存订购动态导致更频繁和不规则的发货，运输成本飙升。好的一面是，我们观察到在线销售渠道的需求增长和利用产生了更高的收入。我们提出了几个方向和实际实施指南，以提高食品零售 SC 的弹性。我们强调 SC 数字孪生和端到端可见性以及弹性需求、库存和容量管理的重要性。我们的研究结果可以指导增强食品零售 SC 的弹性，为未来的流行病和类似流行病的危机做准备。我们提出了几个方向和实际实施指南，以提高食品零售 SC 的弹性。我们强调 SC 数字孪生和端到端可见性以及弹性需求、库存和容量管理的重要性。我们的研究结果可以指导增强食品零售 SC 的弹性，为未来的流行病和类似流行病的危机做准备。我们提出了几个方向和实际实施指南，以提高食品零售 SC 的弹性。我们强调 SC 数字孪生和端到端可见性以及弹性需求、库存和容量管理的重要性。我们的研究结果可以指导增强食品零售 SC 的弹性，为未来的流行病和类似流行病的危机做准备。