The guidelines support the exchange of extended product attributes in several categories, including apparel, footwear, jewelry, fashion accessories, beauty products, and home products. This product data extends beyond the traditional supply chain information already exchanged between retail buyers and sellers to support consumer requirements for rich online product details. The guidelines were developed by the apparel and general merchandise retail community to strengthen trading partner collaboration in support of digital commerce initiatives.
"Implementing these guidelines agreed upon by industry stakeholders will be central to those organizations that are employing a strong omnichannel strategy focused on serving consumers with a consistent selling experience across all retail channels," said Melanie Nuce, vice president for apparel and general merchandise at GS1 US. "The guidelines serve as a springboard for all trading partners to analyze and improve their current internal capabilities, and will help them place a strong emphasis on the product attributes consumers deem essential in making online buying decisions."
The guidelines will serve as a resource to business analysts tasked with determining the product information that must be sourced, validated and shared within the enterprise and between trading partners in North America.
GS1 US, a member of GS1, is an information standards organization that brings industry communities together to solve supply-chain problems through the adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards. Nearly 300,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading-partner collaboration and for maximizing the cost effectiveness, speed, visibility, security and sustainability of their business processes. They achieve these benefits through solutions based on GS1 global unique numbering and identification systems, bar codes, Electronic Product Code-based RFID, data synchronization, and electronic information exchange. GS1 US also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code.
More information about GS1 US and the GS1 US Apparel and General Merchandise Initiative is available, click here.
