SAINSBURY TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY IN ALL STORES

PETER PERROTTA

LONDON -- Sainsbury, operators of 453 supermarkets in the United Kingdom, said it will be upgrading its software technology throughout the chain.

Sainsbury said last week it is contracting with Minneapolis-based Retek Inc. for new software to help it manage inventory across its product line, especially perishables.

Moreover, the chain has also decided to hire Teradata, a division of NCR, Dayton, Ohio, to provide new software for CRM or Customer Relationship Management.

"As a $25 billion retailer with 453 stores in the U.K., it is essential that we have high data integrity throughout our organization," said Martin Webb, spokesman for Sainsbury.

Sainsbury plans to use Retek to integrate and optimize key business functions including: assortment planning, pricing and advertising, integrated and synchronized planning, in-stock optimization and vendor collaboration.

The CRM solution by Teradata is expected to drive more targeted and personalized communications, improving decision making throughout the company.

"The food retail sector has undergone fundamental change in the last decade," said Stephen Vowles, Sainsbury's director of customer and category marketing.

"Today's consumer demands and receives a more varied selection and a more convenient and personalized shopping experience," he added. "Sainsbury's wants to be able to play a proactive role in taking the shopping experience beyond current levels."