Most Large Retailers Sharing Free Data With Suppliers: GMA Report

WASHINGTON — Most U.S. grocery retailers and mass merchandisers with more than $5 billion in annual sales are sharing store sales and other data directly with their suppliers free of charge, according to a new white paper released yesterday by the Grocery Manufacturers Association here.

The “Retailer-Direct Data Report” also identified more than 30 business benefits that can result specifically from using retailer-direct data in business planning and forecasting. Among these benefits are reduced out-of-stocks, improved sales forecast accuracy and reduced merchandising costs at retail.

“Many large mass merchandisers and grocery retailers are realizing the benefits of retailer data-sharing initiatives and this paper identifies ways in which trading partners, whether experienced or new to the game of retailer-direct data, can extend these collaborative efforts for mutual success,” said Jeanne Iglesias, GMA’s senior director of supply chain and technology, in a statement.

The report is available for free download.

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