Provide Suppliers With Real-Time Data

By Erin Harris, Integrated Solutions For Retailers magazine

Founded in Los Angeles in 1871, Smart & Final operates approximately 285 stores under the Smart & Final, Smart Foodservice Cash & Carry, Henry's Farmers Market, and Sun Harvest Market banners. The company operates nonmembership warehouse stores for food and foodservice supplies in six states, northern Mexico, and farmers' market stores in California and Texas. Now headquartered in Commerce, CA, the company employs 8,500 people.

The company's Smart & Final banner stores sell food, foodservice products, and professional-quality culinary equipment through warehouse stores. Billed as the "smaller, faster warehouse store," the Smart & Final banner stores pride themselves on providing low warehouse prices and convenience. "As part of that commitment, Smart & Final wanted to improve collaboration with its suppliers," says Diana Godfrey, group VP of buying at Smart & Final. "The objective was to provide more data to the suppliers in order to improve operational efficiencies, decrease out-of-stocks, and react quickly to eliminate distribution voids."