Getting the best out of Pallet Labels - 2015 Update

In 2010 the industry conducted a study examining non-compliance of pallet labelling and identified a 44% rate of failure. A similar survey was completed in late 2014 resulting in a 24% improvement across the industry. Whilst efforts to drive compliance should be applauded the industry still faces a 20% error rate!!

To assist the industry address this issue ECRA, GS1 Australia and GS1 New Zealand have partnered with industry experts to re-fresh the toolkit, providing valuable, practical and clear information on how to get the best out of pallet labels. After all printing and applying a good quality barcode label that complies with industry standards and which is scanable by all trading partners cost no more than printing and applying a barcode that doesn’t scan.

Click here to download the Guidelines.

Display Pallet Toolkit - Off Location/Aisle End - Part One 2014

This ECRA Toolkit provides guidance to businesses considering the use of display pallets for off-location and aisle end applications. The move to display pallets is not a standalone best practice and it can impact numerous elements of the supply chain. If not implemented with due consideration to these impacts it has the potential to increase costs and reduce efficiencies.

ECRA has been pivotal in delivering aligned positioning between major retail organisations, which in itself will not mitigate costs and complexity but should assist suppliers in avoiding costly duplication of effort. The Toolkit provides the basis for industry standards and should be supplemented by trading partner discussions and product/category considerations.

As the industry matures in its adoption and use of display pallets, ECRA will continue to provide advice and guidance to the industry through additional toolkits, case studies and best practice guides.

Click here to download the Toolkit.

Operational B2B Roadmap 2014

ECRA’s Order to Receipt Excellence Working Group, consisting experts from major retailers, FMCG suppliers and GS1 Australia, have released a new guidance document for industry focussed on broadening the use of the operational aspects of B2B E-Commerce – specifically SSCC Labels and Advance Shipping Notices (ASNs).

The Operational B2B Roadmap is intended to be a ‘common language’ catalyst and thought starter aiming to focus attention on the broader use of B2B E-commerce capabilities beyond the Supplier – Major Retailer interface. This could include expansion into other areas of opportunity such as internal stock transactions; ‘upstream’ suppliers of raw and packaging materials; and with smaller trading partners such as (i.e. non-Major) retailers, distributors and wholesalers. The Roadmap document also provides links to technical advice, tools and resource guides where more detailed information is provided.

Click here to download the Report.

ECRA Carton Identification Guidelines

Carton Identification Guidelines, endorsed by Coles and Woolworths, deliver practical suggestions on how to label cartons to ensure the choice of the correct product and rotation of stock through the supply chain is achieved. The Guidelines focus on distribution centre, back of store and shelf replenishment processes. 

Carton packaging should clearly communicate what is inside and assist personnel to identify product in crowded and congested store rooms. The Guidelines are an adjunct to retail specific specifications. 

Click here to download the Guidelines.

Loss Prevention Benchmarking Tool

The Loss Prevention Benchmarking Tool (Microsoft Excel based) enables retailers and manufacturers to ‘measure’ their current performance against the critical success areas which make up the Loss Prevention Pyramid and thereby create a ‘Pyramid Compliance Score’.

Two versions are available within the tool:

• Rapid version for a quick assessment
• Extended version for an in-depth assessment

Each version has its own tab within the tool, which can be accessed by clicking here.