CARREFOUR TARGETS NET TO CONNECT WITH SUPPLIERS

PARIS -- Carrefour S.A. here has reportedly inked a deal to use a third-party business-to-business Internet solution to link its suppliers via the Web.

3,200 limited discount stores, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The retailer plans to begin to integrate the supply chain solution into its merchandise buying process this month.

The Internet-based solution from SourcingLink.net, San Diego, Calif., will provide an organized and automated supply chain business process that will enable Carrefour and its 24,000 suppliers to exchange sourcing information electronically, the source added.

During the first phase, the third-party will start to connect buyers in Carrefour's International offices in Hong Kong, Italy and Mexico to approximately 1,500 suppliers worldwide as well as to other Carrefour buyers in 26 operating countries, a source said.

The second phase of the program, slated to start around June 2000, is expected to connect the retailer's buyers to approximately 22,500 local suppliers.

The final phase of the integration process scheduled to commence sometime around June 2001 will additional business information exchange.