Throughout the day, retailers worked hard to explain and debate with the 200 or so participants to convince them of the proven benefits of electronic catalogues.
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Firstly – capturing real administrative gains, by bringing down the cost of product data sheet management from 65 to 10 euros.
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Then there is data reliability: by doing away with manual data entry, the quality of information exchanged is improved and the number of disputes reduced. Currently, 30% of all invoices are not validated and the cost of dispute settlement is estimated at 50 euros per partner.
Annual savings for French retailing have been estimated at 1.75 billion euros. Source: Cap Gemini/GCI
This approach is based on supplier experience in the field
More than ever before, Auchan, Carrefour, le Groupement des Mousquetaires, Provera and Systeme U approached the subject from a “didactic” viewpoint, based on their experience in the field with suppliers. Coca Cola, Sara Lee, Nestlé and the family business Partenaire SARL (wine sector) centred their statements on describing their first steps in working with electronic catalogues, going through the initial steps, stressing the simplicity of the process and the benefits already identified.
Retail speaks with one voice
One of the highlights of this big meeting was the joint commitment by retailers to five basic principles in favour of suppliers being connected to electronic catalogues:
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A single point of access for all retailers; by using GS1’s certified solutions a single channel for product information transmission is provided.
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The same information for all retailers: the GS1 standard product data sheet is the benchmark.
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Standard retailer processes: synchronising the creation and updating of data within the context of regular and promotional product listing.
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The priorities for roll-out: food product sectors as well as non-food (general merchandise, toys, textiles, cultural products and domestic appliances).
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Price management, an on-going project: using GS1 standards for price communication
With the area now mature, there will be an extensive offering of services and solutions
So much for theory, now for practice!
The organisations attending the event were able to meet with the solution suppliers committed to the process of qualifying their systems. AGENA 3000, TIE FRANCE, @GP, GENERIX GROUP, SRC, CATALOGIC, EQUADI and VERTICAL WINE gave businesses that have decided to take the plunge and move to electronic catalogues this opportunity to establish contacts.
This large scale engagement with French retailing, supported by supplier federations such as FCD (retail and trade federation), FEEF (federation of enterprises and entrepreneurs of France), ANIA (national food industry federation) or ECR, was the first stage in a promotional campaign that will be followed by other information meetings organised around the country to establish to ensure outreach to SMEs.
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