WORLDWIDE RETAIL EXCHANGE, Alexandria, Va., a Web-based B2B exchange, hosted more than 350 suppliers and retail executives from all over the world at its WWRE Asian Supplier Summit in Tokyo, Japan, on Dec. 5. Tom Tsuruta, executive vice president and general manager at Jusco and a member of WWRE's executive committee, said the summit was successful because it created a new level of recognition for the Asian media, suppliers and potential future members in the region. Attendees got a closer look at the B2B technology that is designed to streamline the traditional retail supply chain in the near future. Said Linda Nordgren, director of supply chain management and B2B commerce at Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif., "Internet-based collaboration will benefit the consumer on a large scale by improving performance and efficiency."