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About Access-to-Retail
Access-to-Retail has created a web based catalogue and ordering platform that allows
manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to trade together using a single communication link.
This is achieved by forming an online marketplace – accessed by registered users –
that can flow through any given supply chain, and works in harmony with existing back office procedures.
Access-to-Retail is the only integrated online trading platform that links all buyers to
their suppliers. As a global network it unites everyone into a single community.
The concept started out as a single company solution for a multi-national company, to allow
them to communicate their entire product range to wholesalers and retailers.
This basic principal is the foundation of the many-to-many system that has become
Access-to-Retail. All companies need to acquire the same communication strengths whatever their size; it is only
their magnitude that changes. So what works for one company, very often works for a great many companies.
Access-to-Retail's online trading system has been developed from the ground up using a vast
number of different sized companies as sounding boards. Focus groups, workshops and demonstrations have been
organised for companies of various sizes to attend, so that their numerous needs and existing procedures could
be evaluated, and incorporated into a trading system that has mass market appeal.
The purpose of these focus groups was to analyse the functions and navigational routes of
the proposed Access-to-Retail system. We studied the procedures of how each company processed information both
to and from their customers. This entailed discussions on marketing and promotions which gave an insight into
the way companies channelled product information through their supply chain. At this stage we evaluated how they
communicate with their customers and what information is required to conduct business. Cost and time savings
were also exposed and how human resources could be used more efficiently.
We compared our findings with the proposed Access-to-Retail model and made the suitable
revisions where necessary.
The present system was created and has been in continuous development since October 2000,
from the initial research and market analysis, to the designing and programming of the initial platform. The
launch of our first major wholesaler took place at the DIY Exhibition, London in January 2003 with
Dompak-Grosvenor, one of the largest and important in the sector.
Throughout the development work, we have been in close relationship with a large number of
buying groups such as Mica (UK) and HART; each actively promoting the benefits of Access-to-Retail to their
members.
Since the launch, many manufacturers such as Bostik Findely, Bulk Hardware, Hozelock, ICI
Paints, Kalon Decorative Products, Spear & Jackson, and Vileda have contracted to Access-to-Retail.
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