Consider This

The majority of the world’s largest retailers have set up their own supplier extranets to improve collaboration with manufacturers and provide them with access to their data.

Metro Group launched its supplier extranet in 2005, which gives suppliers of Metro Cash & Carry, Real and department store chain Kaufhof access to figures from its data warehouse as well as order forecasts.

Y ou’ve probably heard the expression “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.” It’s one of those sports axioms that coaches use for motivation, the media regularly use for a simplistic sound bite and moms of defensemen draw on when people who doesn’t understand lacrosse conjecture about their sons’ contributions … but I digress.

Planet Retail’s new report looks at six key developments that will shape the world of private labeling in 2012 and beyond.

Although value remains paramount, many shoppers will continue to treat themselves in the grocery department. Today’s customers are savvy, well informed and have higher expectations of grocers; many are proud to be frugal and expect retailers to help them save money. These shoppers are trading up or down whenever they want, armed with information and empowered by price transparency. They expect retailers to listen to their views and react accordingly.

Dealing with change is a challenge that everyone faces throughout their lives. Retailers and retail software companies face the challenge of change on a regular basis.

Some are small and others are larger in nature. In our industry, the need to change is sometimes brought about by external market forces like the global economy, shifting market requirements like mobile commerce, omni-channel trading, social media, etc., or through a formal, corporate decision to chart a new path or realign to expanded corporate objectives.