Benefits for Retailers

Accenture and Cap Gemini have worked with major associations, suppliers and retailers to measure the business benefits of GDSN. Their studies found that retailers benefit in concrete and measurable ways. For example, order and item administration improved by 50% when data synchronisation was in place. Coupon rejection at the check-out was reduced by 40%. Data management efforts were reduced by 30%. There was an overall improvement of on-shelf availability, with out-of-stock items reduced from 8% to 3%.

Some other benefits retailers can get from implementing GDSN:

Better Category & Promotion Management

• Less need for local agents or intermediation
• Ability to expand supplier base
• Improved visibility for stock-level planning
• Simplified/enhanced category reporting
• Quicker and easier new item introductions
• Shorter lead time on product promotions
• Price changes or corrections easier to manage, less need for costly human intervention

Easier Administrative Data Handling

• Less in-store labour required: cost savings
• Less administrative personnel needed: cost savings
• Less time spent maintaining catalogues
• Less need for duplicate catalogues
• No need for cross-reference tables
• Fewer invoice disputes
• Fewer order defects
• Better fill rates

Smoother Logistics

• Savings from more accurate weights & measures
• Error-free shipment receiving
• Fewer return shipments
• Fewer backorders
• Less excess or "safety" stock
• Optimized location despatch
• Reduction in shrink

More Satisfied Consumers

• Better on-shelf availability
• Quicker checkout times
• More promotions

Better Bottom Line

• Increased sales