21 Sep 2011

The rollout of the GS1net service has taken a major step forward with Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN) electronic messaging now implemented between supermarket operator Progressive Enterprises and its suppliers via GS1net.

The GS1net service enables product data, such as descriptions, weights and measures, and pricing, to be electronically transferred between suppliers and retailers more simply, and more accurately than ever before.

The rollout aligns with the implementation of GS1 at Woolworths supermarkets in Australia. Progressive Enterprises and Woolworths supermarkets worked collaboratively with GS1 New Zealand and GS1 Australia and trade partners to implement the GS1net service. All messaging developed through the network is to GDSN requirements, the global standard for data messaging, which will reduce cost for members who up to now have had to utilise paper forms.

GS1 New Zealand's CEO Peter Stevens said: "Having Progressive Enterprises connected to GS1net will provide further benefits to their many trading partners already using GS1net and will drive even greater adoption of data synchronisation across the industry."

Progressive Enterprises general manager of buying Murray Johnston said the company is now fully compliant with GS1net and able to synchronise data with its suppliers.

"We see this as a valuable opportunity for our trade partners to reduce their cost of doing business.

"Having suppliers sending us information on new products, modifications to existing products and signalling deletions electronically will streamline key activities with suppliers. We are looking forward to rolling out GS1net to our NZ supplier base," Johnston said.

With GS1net at Woolworths and Progressive Enterprises, companies are able to:

• Publish data once to more than one retailer,
• Improve the accuracy of their data,
• Improve the speed with which master data changes can be made,
• Receive electronic confirmation of master data and cost submission.

"Global supply chain standards are foundational to effective data synchronisation. GS1 global standards are used by millions of companies around the world to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of their supply chains. Management of master data using GS1 standards provides industry with this ability," Stevens said.

 

CONTACT:

For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact:

• Pauline Prince for GS1 New Zealand on 0800 10 23 56 or 04 494 1050
• Luke Schepen for Progressive Enterprises on 09 275 2575
• Benedict Brook for Woolworths on +61 2 8885 1033

About GS1 and GS1 New Zealand

GS1 is a leading global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to global standards and solutions that improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains. The GS1 System is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. GS1 New Zealand is the New Zealand member of the global GS1 organisation, enabling its more than 4,500 members - businesses of all sizes from 22 sectors across New Zealand - to enhance their efficiency and cost effectiveness by adopting electronic supply chain best practices. To learn more about GS1 New Zealand visit www.gs1nz.org

About Progressive Enterprises

Progressive Enterprises is one of New Zealand's largest retail organisations owning and operating 158 supermarkets across the Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown supermarket brands. Progressive Enterprises is a subsidiary of the publicly-listed Australian company, Woolworths Limited. 

About Woolworths Limited

Woolworths Limited is made up of some of the most recognisable and trusted brands in retailing serving millions of customers every day. As a group across Australia and New Zealand Woolworths Limited has more than 3100 stores and more than 190,000 employees.  The group's retailing expertise stretches across food and grocery, liquor, hotels, petrol, general merchandise, home improvement and consumer electronics.