Features & Catalogs Keep Rolling Out - June 2010

While UniformMarket isn't a supplier, our vast experience gives us an understanding of what it's like to be a supplier in this electronic-focused business environment. We can take the supplier's viewpoint and identify what some of the biggest challenges are when it comes to managing data for online stores.

First, suppliers have multiple distributors requesting their data files. These are data files that were created by the supplier with just their own needs in mind – ways to manage inventory, document manufacturing processes, track fabric sources, and features of the garments. Suddenly, as each retailer and distributor got its own website, they wanted the data files for auto-upload to populate their websites. But there's no industry standard for software program, so each request means the supplier has to partially reformat the data, excluding some information or products or removing proprietary information. Suddenly the supplier has to hire more people just to manage all the data, formatting, and information requests.

On the other end, rarely does the data fit nicely into the distributor's website program, so there is more data manipulation before the data files can be uploaded. We're hearing that each upload for each distributor can take anywhere from four to 40 hours to prepare the data. On the supplier's side, that is multiplied by each retailer and distributor. On the retailer's side, that is multiplied for each brand the retailer carries.

Suppliers tend to fulfill these requests from their brick-and-mortar outlets first because those are the prime sources for building brand and introducing new products to customers. Because of the nature of business, suppliers often struggle with the question of whether to launch its own online store where customers across the country can shop directly through them. But this would cut out the retailers who helped build the brand loyalty through the years before online shopping really rose to its current levels.

Finally, every time the supplier makes changes to a product or adds something new, it has to then update that information with each of the outlets who have requested the data previously, and then monitor that updates are actually implemented so retailers are advertising only the current versions of products.

Overall, electronic product information is a logistical nightmare for suppliers. And while UniformMarket's Store System helps manage data for multiple retailers and distributors – thus easing the process somewhat – it's still not a perfect solution. We recognize that, and that's why we've created our Vendor Alliance Program to encourage them to participate in our product library and reduce their time commitment for data manipulation. Even then, we often don't know about a new catalog of products until we hear from you that something new is out there. So don't be shy about letting us know. We'll do the chasing, formatting, uploading and updating; we just need you to give us the head's up! Give us a call at 858-345-1212 or email us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .