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And now is the time to re-set, and prepare for what comes next.":1,"#the pandemic hit (and hit the global economy, too). The marketplace, in a word, is “challenging.”":1,"#automotive and aftermarket industry":1,"#before":1,"#There are some bright spots of course. Aging fleets need replacing, essential workers need reliability, and more consumers are embracing a DIY aesthetic. One thing is for certain, the":1,"#priint:day 2026":1,"#NÜ Hôtel, 93 Avenue Le Corbusier, 59800 Lille":1,"#Klee Group x Syndigo — Lille":1,"#Please click below to connect to your copy of the <strong ljsid-1=\"\">“Joint Study by ECC Köln and Syndigo: CLICK & BUY VS. BRICK & BUY”</strong> Report now.<a ljsid-3=\"\"></a><a ljsid-4=\"\"></a><a ljsid-5=\"\"></a><a ljsid-6=\"\"></a>":1,"#Mühleim an der Ruhr, GERMANY":1,"#Perhaps the most important aspect of data management is preparing it and distributing it to the recipients who need it to sell your products. Of course, all retail requirements are different, and even with industry standards such as ACES, PIES, or":1,"#, there is also the need to ensure the data works for them. Each retailer has a desire to be differentiated to the consumer – both online and in-store, and the way they present products demands they build a differentiated experience to help convert at the time of purchase.":1,"#Artificial intelligence is no longer the experiment. In retail and branded manufacturing, it is already embedded in forecasting, pricing, and customer engagement. And yet—most AI initiatives never scale. From predictive forecasting in supply chains and automated product recommendations in e-commerce to dynamic price optimization in omnichannel environments and agent-based assistants in customer service, AI is now part of the everyday operating model. The paradox is striking: pilots perform. Rollouts stall. The reason is rarely the model itself. In most cases, the real constraint lies deeper: in the data foundation.":1,"#AI-driven forecasts requiring manual validation":1,"#According to Gartner*, 60% of AI projects are expected to remain stuck in pilot by 2026 due to data readiness issues. “AI-ready” in this context does not mean sophisticated models—it means data that is complete, consistent, and usable across systems. Many organizations overlook a critical connection: AI does not primarily depend on computing power or model architecture, but on the quality and structure of the master data it relies on. It is precisely in the interplay of PIM, PXM, ERP, and MDM that it becomes evident how quickly inconsistent data can slow down operational and strategic initiatives.":1,"#Enterprise reality, however, looks different. In most retail and manufacturing environments, AI applications draw simultaneously on:":1,"#AI initiatives realize their value not solely through powerful models, but through the structural quality of the data foundation on which they are built. For retailers and brand manufacturers, this reframes Master Data Management entirely: it is not a supporting IT task, but a business decision.":1,"#With the rise of Agentic AI, the risk profile changes. AI systems no longer merely analyze—they act. As AI gains autonomy, tolerance for ambiguity approaches zero. It prioritizes offers, adjusts prices, optimizes assortments, and makes logistical decisions autonomously.":1,"#Without MDM, product information may be complete and enriched—but interpreted differently across ERP, CRM, commerce, and reporrting systems.":1,"#Why AI Pilots Perform – and Rollouts Struggle":1,"#March 05, 2026":1,"#In production environments, however AI does not consume a curated dataset. It consumes the enterprise.":1,"#It is not surprising that AI models often deliver stable results in pilot projects. The datasets used in these tests are both limited in scope and deliberately prepared. Duplicates are removed. Attributes are standardized. Hierarchies are aligned specifically to the use case. Under these conditions, the model operates on clean, stable inputs—and produces reliable outputs.":1,"#The Critical Intersection of PIM and MDM":1,"#How these structural relationships can be systematically quantified in order to create a robust basis for decision-making regarding the economic value of MDM initiatives is outlined in our guide <a ljsid-1=\"\">Reframing the Business Case for Master Data Management (MDM)</a>.":1,"#In the age of autonomous systems, data quality is no longer a hygiene factor. It is competitive infrastructure.":1,"#MDM strategy determines scalability, efficiency, and risk management. The core question is therefore no longer whether improved master data would be beneficial It is whether companies in the age of AI-driven automation can afford to operate on fragmented data structures that are not future-ready.":1,"#Conclusion: Data Quality Becomes an Economic Factor":1,"#For retailers and brand manufacturers, AI cannot remain a tactical lever. The data foundation becomes a structural responsibility. AI maturity ultimately depends on master data maturity.":1,"#This shifts the role of Master Data Management fundamentally. MDM is no longer about maintaining fields—it is about enforcing shared rules across systems. It becomes execution infrastructure.":1,"#In this environment, inconsistent definitions are no longer reporting inconveniences—they become operational liabilities. When products, customers, or prices are interpreted differently across systems, autonomous decisions amplify the inconsistency. AI does not only scale efficiency. It scales structural weaknesses.":1,"#As automation advances, tolerance for inconsistency declines—and the cost of fragmentation becomes more visible. What was once considered a data maintenance issue reveals itself as a structural constraint on scalability . Or, as stated in the webinar <a ljsid-1=\"\"><em ljsid-1-0=\"\">“Your 2026 MDM Action Plan</em></a><em ljsid-2=\"\">”</em>: “Companies that succeed with MDM are the ones that treat MDM as an infrastructure, not as another program.”":1,"#Reduced ability to scale automation initiatives":1,"#Reporting discrepancies across systems":1,"#Increased compliance efforts in regulated processes":1,"#Typical consequences of a missing MDM strategy include:":1,"#The problem with inconsistent master data is rarely that it causes a dramatic disruption, but rather that doing nothing when it comes to MDM leads to a gradual increase in effort. In this context, “doing nothing” does not mean that nothing happens—quite the opposite. Because a clear MDM strategy is missing, more and more recurring tasks move onto the agenda: from manually reconciling information and reviewing reports for accuracy to manually standardizing product names across different systems. These activities are time-consuming and costly, yet they rarely appear as a separate line item. Instead, they continuously and quietly impact productivity, cycle times, and decision quality. In the webinar <em ljsid-1=\"\">“</em><a ljsid-2=\"\"><em ljsid-2-0=\"\">Your 2026 MDM Action Plan</em></a><em ljsid-3=\"\">,”</em> this effect is summarized succinctly: the economic damage occurs “not as one big line item, but leaking out slowly through wasted time, avoidable errors, and constant rework.” It is precisely this cumulative effect that makes consistent master data so economically relevant.":1,"#PIM drives experience. MDM ensures coherence. At scale, both are required.":1,"#AI does not struggle because product content is missing. It struggles because foundational definitions are misaligned.":1,"#In manual environments, these inconsistencies can often still be reconciled. In automated and AI-driven workflows, however, they become structural obstacles. Forecasting models calculate demand differently depending on which hierarchy is treated as authoritative. Pricing engines apply logic based on divergent categorizations. KPIs vary by system—not performance.":1,"#Product groups or regional hierarchies follow different logics across commerce, ERP, and reporting systems.":1,"#Customer data is up to date in CRM but not synchronized with billing systems.":1,"#Products correctly classified in the commerce frontend but grouped differently in ERP.":1,"#Typical examples include:":1,"#This is where the distinction becomes critical: <strong ljsid-1=\"\">PIM optimizes product information for channels, while Master Data Management (MDM) enforces shared definitions across the enterprise.</strong><strong ljsid-2=\"\"></strong>":1,"#But as commerce models expand, product data no longer operates in isolation. Pricing logic, customer hierarchies, inventory levels, supplier relationships, and regional structures all intersect with product definitions. Business value therefore no longer emerges from well-managed product content alone—it emerges from consistent relationships across data domains.":1,"#Many organizations begin their data strategy in a commerce context and initially invest in Product Information Management (PIM). That is a logical starting point: well-structured product information drives conversion, visibility, and marketplace performance.":1,"#As a result, revenue and sales volumes may be calculated differently across systems—with direct consequences for demand planning, pricing decisions, and operational performance.":1,"#Logistics and supplier data from operational systems":1,"#Channel-specific variations from PXM systems":1,"#Customer and interaction data from CRM":1,"#Transactional and pricing logic from ERP":1,"#Product information from PIM":1,"#MDM as a Strategic Prerequisite":1,"#The Cost of Doing Nothing":1,"#If the underlying information is not consistently defined across systems, contradictory or erroneous results occur. If, for example, a product is assigned to the “Outdoor” product group in the commerce system but categorized under “Sporting Goods” in ERP, this relationship may still be understandable to a human. For AI-driven forecasting or pricing models, however, the impact is significant: margin and demand forecasts for the same product family can diverge by several percentage points depending on which system is treated as authoritative.":1,"#How Online Info Influences In Store Buying":1,"#Stay ahead of competitors with automated, reliable workflows.":1,"#Better product presentation builds customer trust.":1,"#Food service":1,"#Data-Driven Climate Consciousness: Bridging Business and Consumer Needs":1,"#Drive Your Sustainability with MDM: Be Ready When It’s Needed":1,"#Are You Ready for the Digital Product Passport?":1,"#PIM Archives - Syndigo":1,"#Consistent, structured data is surfaced more effectively—boosting your presence.":1,"#Clean processes and fewer manual loops save time and energy.":1,"#You know where you stand, what’s not working, and what needs attention first.":1,"#Based on our proven maturity model, the assessment shows how organizations evolve from “managed” to “optimized” and where you currently stand.":1,"#Start Your Maturity Assessment":1,"#How mature is your product experience really?":1,"#Peter Flory":1,"#Las Vegas":1,"#syndigo@walkersands.com":1,"#Please click below to connect to your copy of the “<strong ljsid-1=\"\">Commerce Readiness 2026”</strong> whitepaper now.<a ljsid-3=\"\"></a>":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Target audience:</strong> Manufacturers and wholesalers of technical products in sectors such as electrical engineering, building materials, HVAC & plumbing, shipbuilding.":1,"#CASE STUDIES":1,"#<em ljsid-0=\"\">Request a demo to</em> En savoir plus":1,"#Below are a few charts, links, and descriptions to help you keep up on the business implications and potential solutions to help you gain as insights to make informed decisions for your business. We hope you find this information helpful. As always, please reach out to you Syndigo account professional if you have any questions.":1,"#The adjectives to describe the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the world, business and consumer economy have been powerful : “Alarming.” “Unsettling.” “Unprecedented.” For businesses that make consumer products in particular, monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak has become a high-risk proposition. With the uncertainties around how long the virus will continue, it becomes a challenge to plan for the longer term. On the other hand, it is times like these where consumers can attach loyalty to the brands that serve them well.":1,"#Like you, here at Syndigo we have been monitoring the online activity of eCommerce sites as well as the industry at large. We’ve compiled some information from across thought leaders and our own information to help to build a more complete picture on what is happening in the marketplace.":1,"#Information to Help You Manage Your Business Today and for the Future":1,"#Downlaod the Report":1,"#Greater visibility on marketplaces & in AI systems":1,"#Higher conversion & fewer returns":1,"#Less effort in content and data maintenance":1,"#Companies that understand and systematically advance their maturity benefit from:":1,"#Measurement & performance":1,"#Organizational maturity (roles, workflows)":1,"#Technology & integrations":1,"#Omnichannel syndication & processes":1,"#Content quality & enrichment":1,"#Data quality & governance":1,"#This check evaluates your current situation across the core dimensions of modern product experience:":1,"#Direction instead of action for action’s sake: Many companies invest in Product Information Management (PIM), content optimization, or new channels—yet without a clear target state and without knowing which building blocks already work and where gaps remain.":1,"#Why you should take the Readiness Check":1,"#Our Readiness Check evaluates the strength of that foundation your data, content, processes, and systems and shows how prepared you truly are for the shifts coming to commerce in 2026.":1,"#AI-powered search, Agentic Commerce, Social Commerce, and 2D codes are reshaping the rules of retail: products are recommended, surfaced, and compared often long before a human consciously decides. In this new reality, product experience becomes the defining factor for visibility and trust but only if the foundation is solid.":1,"#Syndigo GEO":1,"#Conversion rates increase an average of 39% on product pages with enhanced content!":1,"#CivicScience report how COVID-19 influences grocery eCommerce":1,"#GLOBAL CHANGES IN ECOMMERCE USAGE":1,"#SYNDIGO INSIGHTS ON SHOPPER BEHAVIOR AND CONTENT OPTIMIZATION":1,"#Valassis Communications consumer study on behavior change after the outbreak":1,"#Do you market your brands and products across multiple industries? CXH spans industry verticals including grocery, CPG, pet, foodservice, home improvement, apparel, automotive and other hardlines, so you can rest assured that your content will be formatted to the appropriate guidelines for your industry, from ACES and PIES to":1,"#As a partner of this event, we look forward to meeting you in Düsseldorf!":1,"#Take this opportunity to connect with industry experts, explore innovative solutions, and expand your network.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Digital Twin</strong> – The future of product data management":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Data Journey</strong> – From initial product design to omnichannel utilization":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Choosing the Right PIM Software</strong> – Finding the optimal solution for your business":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Successful Supplier Onboarding</strong> – Seamless integration of product data into existing systems":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Digital Product Passport (DPP)</strong> – Transparency and sustainability across the value chain":1,"#This Year’s Key Topics Include:":1,"#Join industry experts, businesses, and thought leaders at <strong ljsid-1=\"\">PROKOM Data Days 2025</strong> to explore the latest trends and innovations in product data management.":1,"#Witnessing the evolution of eCommerce":1,"#Create an immersive online product experience for your consumers, seamlessly integrated into Cora’s digital platforms. Include video demos, lifestyle images, comparison charts, product manuals, user-generated content and other interactive product content.":1,"#Supplier Checklist for managing content":1,"#Begin your maturity assessment":1,"#Your first step is the 10-minute Readiness Check: simply complete the questionnaire, receive your score, read your action plan—and if you like—book an expert session. Start now!":1,"#Book an expert session":1,"#Use the Readiness Check or connect directly with one of our experts.":1,"#Ready for a real product experience strategy—and for Commerce Readiness 2026?":1,"#Your score shows you exactly where you stand today—and what it takes to reach the next level.":1,"#The model includes five stages—from fragmented processes to AI-powered optimization:":1,"#The maturity model at a glance":1,"#Whether manufacturer, retailer, or brand—you receive tailored recommendations to prepare for the commerce landscape of tomorrow. This enables you to increase your maturity step by step—with focus and structure—and make sure the competition doesn’t beat you to it.":1,"#scale or localize internationally":1,"#need to prepare for AI-driven search and Agentic Commerce":1,"#want to improve their omnichannel performance":1,"#struggle with inconsistent product data":1,"#use or plan to use PIM/MDM/PXM":1,"#manage many products and channels":1,"#The Readiness Check was developed for companies that:":1,"#Who is the check designed for?":1,"#We’re happy to discuss your results with you and support you with expert guidance.":1,"#Your personal consultation":1,"#Retailers, manufacturers, and brands each receive a tailored five-step roadmap for improving product experiences.":1,"#Your action plan":1,"#You’ll receive recommendations for next steps and practical insights that help you navigate the process.":1,"#Your individual assessment":1,"#Based on your answers and scoring, you’ll receive your individual maturity level.":1,"#Clarity instead of guesswork":1,"#Syndigo OpenAI Connect":1,"#<a ljsid-0=\"\">Master Data Management (MDM)</a> solutions have emerged as essential tools for organizations that need help effectively managing their sustainability data. MDM provides a centralized platform that consolidates all sustainability-related data, ensuring consistency and accuracy across the entire organization. By offering a unified hub, it eliminates the silos that often lead to data discrepancies and inefficiencies, while streamlining the collection and integration of sustainability data from various sources. Whether the data comes from suppliers, internal operations, or external monitoring tools, it simplifies the process through automation, reducing manual effort and minimizing the risk of errors associated with manual data entry.":1,"#Generating incremental lift from online content":1,"#Important alerts to monitor for eCommerce success":1,"#Finally, you can access Syndigo’s approach in response to COVID-19, published back in March of this year. Syndigo’s management team chose an early-response methodology to protect our clients’ ability to manage their businesses during the outbreak, and as of this date are continuing at full capacity.":1,"#Source: Syndigo":1,"#Start your maturity assessment":1,"#Download the study":1,"#Experience an <strong ljsid-1=\"\">exclusive live demo</strong> of our <strong ljsid-3=\"\">Product Experience Cloud</strong>, featuring powerful <strong ljsid-5=\"\">AI-driven capabilities</strong> for next-level product data management. Additionally, gain valuable insights from an <strong ljsid-7=\"\">engaging customer presentation</strong>.":1,"#Contact us to learn how this partnership can help you reach new heights in the global marketplace.":1,"#Unlock Global Growth with Syndigo and Productsup":1,"#By centralizing and cleansing data, MDM solutions reduce inaccuracies and maintain data integrity throughout its lifecycle. The system also provides data lineage tracking, offering transparency about data origins and modifications—an invaluable feature for maintaining credibility with stakeholders and ensuring regulatory compliance.":1,"#Data quality and governance":1,"#The advantages? Organizations can create a single, trusted version of sustainability data that serves as the key to accurate reporting, in-depth analysis, and strategic decision-making. This authoritative data source ensures that sustainability reports meet regulatory and stakeholder requirements while maintaining reliability and verifiability. By providing a centralized and accessible platform, stakeholders can easily access the data they need, fostering transparency and collaboration across departments. And organizations can confidently share their sustainability data with external stakeholders, such as investors, customers, and regulatory bodies, strengthening their reputation as responsible and transparent entities.":1,"#Contact us to learn how Syndigo MDM can help you manage the complexity of sustainability data.":1,"#Master Data Management Solutions Bring Clarity And Reliability To Sustainability Data Management.":1,"#On-Demand Sustainability Webinars":1,"#Investment in advanced data management technologies and powerful tools, such as an MDM for a unified, enterprise-wide view for accurate and reliable reporting, Enhanced Content for product transparency, and product Syndication for real-time dissemination of sustainability information can significantly bolster the efficiency of sustainability initiatives. These tools help manage large volumes of data, allowing for better analysis and reporting to meet sustainability goals.":1,"#Managing sustainability data effectively is not just a necessity — it’s a strategic advantage. The first step in this process is to align your company’s sustainability goals with specific data points. This ensures that the data collected is not only relevant but also actionable. By identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly correlate with your sustainability objectives, you can track progress accurately and make informed decisions that drive meaningful change.":1,"#However, executing on sustainability commitments presents significant data management challenges. Organizations must now track and verify an expanding number of environmental data – from carbon footprints to resource consumption – to meet regulatory requirements that demand precise, verifiable data across multiple environmental metrics. The reality is that many businesses struggle to collect, validate, and report this data effectively.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Demonstrate ROI of sustainability programs.</strong> Detailed data tracking helps quantify the financial benefits of sustainability initiatives, from reduced energy costs to improved stakeholder relationships.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Enable predictive modeling for future sustainability initiatives.</strong> Historical data and trends can be used to forecast future environmental impacts and plan proactive sustainability measures.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Support data-driven decision making.</strong> Comprehensive sustainability data enables leaders to make informed choices about investments, operations, and strategic initiatives based on environmental impact and performance metrics.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Track progress against sustainability goals.</strong> Regular monitoring of key performance indicators helps organizations measure their advancement toward environmental targets and adjust strategies as needed.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Identify opportunities for resource optimization.</strong> Analysis of energy consumption patterns, waste generation, and resource usage can reveal inefficiencies and areas for improvement, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.":1,"#Effective sustainability data management isn’t just about compliance—it’s about driving meaningful change. When properly managed, sustainability data can:":1,"#Turning Data into Action: Beyond Compliance":1,"#Integrating core technologies was a bit higher priority for Latin America respondents (59%) than either North America (52%) or EMEA (49%). LatAm executives rated significantly higher than EMEA, however, on the question of modernizing their core technologies, such as PIM, DAM, and CMS. Where the global average was 48%, North America (51%) and LatAm (56%) rated much higher than EMEA executives, who only listed modernizing core technologies as key to their business objectives 36% of the time.":1,"#Digital marketers recognize that more is needed than just the data in order to execute their content programs online. How these internal and external requirements interact with one another will also likely differ across organizations. However, there is strong consistency regionally in most of the questions around the eCommerce actions required to achieve business success. Here are a few outliers:":1,"#In the Syndigo/Forrester Consulting study, more than half of respondents (54%) recognized the value in improving their product content quality. However, their needs go far beyond simply improving product content. In fact, 52% of executives acknowledged their need to do a better job at understanding what their customer partners needed in terms of product information. Given the expansion of online purchasing, and the strength of selling platforms including Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Target, Walmart, and food / beverage retailers like Albertsons or Winn Dixie, the need to format product information to a recipient’s standard is critical.":1,"#Although product content is often the thing that is immediately highlighted for improvement when it comes to eCommerce performance, there is also a strong desire by marketers to build out the systems, expertise and people responsible for managing the information and executing on the results. By working externally – to ensure product information is distributed accurately and optimized for shoppers – businesses can strengthen their eCommerce sales.":1,"#A majority (53%) also saw the need to integrate their own core technologies better to achieve their goals. Clearly, as far as the industry has come in a short time, there is a need to grow even further.":1,"#Improving the customer experience – including better content quality and management – are top priorities on the list for eCommerce executives looking to drive their business forward.":1,"#Focus on Internal and External Improvements":1,"#Today’s consumer is conditioned to seek out <a ljsid-1=\"\">enhanced content and rich media</a> that helps them along their path to purchase. This means that product content continues to be a huge component for digital experience success. With it, shoppers can discover new and differentiated products, compare with other items, engage in ways that help them to envision the need it fills, and finally, purchase.":1,"#Interestingly, executives in the EMEA region did rate people-based skills higher than global or regional segments. For example, the idea of upskilling internal talent or partnering with an external expert ranked higher in EMEA (43%) compared to North America (31%) and LatAm (35%). Additionally, the EMEA rated improving cross-functional communications and team building as a more important attribute (42%) than either North America (33%) or LatAm, where only 25% rated this as an important element.":1,"#The customer experience is based on great product information as well as a platform and processes for managing it all.":1,"#The Customer Experience Goes Beyond Product Content":1,"#<a ljsid-0=\"\">Part 1</a> and <a ljsid-2=\"\">Part 2</a> of this series explored the categories of content submissions and how Syndigo’s Content Experience Hub (CXH) makes it possible to manage all of them in one platform. So it should come as no surprise that retailers can use CXH for syndication needs as well. This comprehensive platform gives brands the ability to seamlessly syndicate both their Core and Enhanced Content to retailers, in the preferred formats and specifications set by each retail organization.":1,"#Download the study now!":1,"#Data at a Glance":1,"#Head of Global Enterprise Data Management at Victorinox":1,"#Victorinox is the manufacturer of the famous Swiss Army Knife<sup ljsid-1=\"\">TM</sup>and other premium products. The family-run company, now in its fourth generation and based in Switzerland, sells its products in over 120 countries worldwide. The Victorinox brand is internationally renowned. In addition to the legendary Swiss Army Knife<sup ljsid-3=\"\">TM</sup>, the portfolio includes four other product categories: Household and professional knives, watches, luggage and perfume. The company employs around 2,200 people worldwide and generated sales of 424 million Swiss francs (US$481 million) in 2023.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Multidomain data management: </strong>A PIM and master data management (MDM) system that can integrate and manage data from different sources (e.g., different ERP systems).":1,"#PROKOM Data Days 2025":1,"#Discover how the strategic partnership between Syndigo and Productsup can revolutionize your product experience management. By combining Syndigo’s AI-native platform with Productsup’s global commerce network, this collaboration empowers brands and retailers to seamlessly scale product content across international markets, enhance ad performance, and accelerate growth.":1,"#Optimize Product Content at Cora":1,"#How does it save time or money in preparation or output?":1,"#What does it look like out of the box?":1,"#What does it look like in the case box?":1,"#What does it look like in use?":1,"#In addition to knowing about the product they’re purchasing (and what to expect it to look like), foodservice chefs and DSRs also need to know what’s going to show up at the back door, how it can be stored, and what can be done with it. After all, different brands of food items essentially look the same; if a close up shot is all that is presented, it does not give the distributor the ability to understand how the product can be delivered, stored, or prepped.":1,"#What does your product do / what is it for?":1,"#What are the important features?":1,"#Here’s an example for a pre-made egg product that’s popular in foodservice":1,"#For great foodservice content, ensure you have answered these four questions:":1,"#Over the last decade (and certainly in the last year), the world of content production has changed drastically. More and more, suppliers have moved from haphazardly collecting images and marketing content to satisfy the basic demands of distributors, to delivering a greater level of descriptions, identifiers and yes, also photos. As technology expands and food outlets shrink, it is important to deliver the type of content that can engage consumers, but also helps generate trust with distributors through completeness and accuracy. While simply providing something may have satisfied compliance needs in the past, those times are long gone. Here are couple of things to think about.":1,"#Here’s an example, with a single, simple item… Tortilla chips!":1,"#The right images are critical – and one is not enough!":1,"#This kind of background information is extremely helpful for busy chef/DSRs who are looking to build out their menus at a high volume.":1,"#Consider who you are not selling to (hint: Not the end consumer!)":1,"#What does it look like raw out of the packaging?":1,"#How is it different than a competing item?":1,"#As a brand owner, it’s important to include engaging imagery around your items… Glamour shots of your product being enjoyed by a family at a dining room table, for example, or the latest video ad. This is essential today when selling to the end consumer, but in foodservice, a Chef and Distributor Sales Rep (DSR) have additional, specific information they need to know.":1,"#We know that mobile search by shoppers has exploded in the past year. And nearly all major foodservice operators are buying products online. And even if your organization has strong imagery to drive online consumer sales, it’s equally important to ensure you have the digital assets to meet your distributor partners’ needs as well. So, what’s online is what your consumer will see, and whatever your product looks like in the distributor’s system is what distributors will see. As a supplier, it’s important to ask yourself… what do my products look like to my buyer…and am I providing the right information? Are my images helping or hurting my sales?":1,"#In addition, by looking internally – into ways to improve information connectivity, data governance, and individual expertise – businesses also can strengthen their programs through data consistency and accuracy across domains.":1,"#Would you like to learn more?":1,"#By including these images, it is easy for a chef/DSR to understand what they will receive in back of house, the inner packs, as well as label information, the loose item and final product shots. By enabling this level of detail, suppliers can help their own cause by delivering the full transparency needed for foodservice industry.":1,"#If you would like to learn more about how Syndigo’s content programs are specifically designed for Foodservice distributors and suppliers, visit our Foodservice page.":1,"#Ever since the pandemic, returning has become a new norm for shoppers. Businesses have been quick to adapt, continually enhancing the convenience of the return process. Shoppers can now make online purchases and easily return them in-store or arrange for couriers to pick up products directly from their homes. This shift has progressed to the point where <a ljsid-1=\"\">many customers buy with an explicit plan to immediately return some or all of their items.</a>":1,"#ECommerce return has now been an integral part of the entire ecosystem for brands and retailers, holding equal significance as the initial stages of the process. For businesses, it’s essential to have a shift in mindset to refine the processes year over year and create a full-circle, holistic experience for shoppers.":1,"#The Impact of ECommerce Returns":1,"#Which types of products have you returned in then past?":1,"#A surge in sales often goes hand in hand with an increase in returns. This principle holds true for both the customary holiday season and the bustling summer sales period. Research shows that in 2022, retailers expected an average of <a ljsid-1=\"\">17.9%</a> of merchandise sold during the holiday season to be returned. Furthermore, returns accounted for <a ljsid-3=\"\">$816 billion</a> in lost sales across the U.S. retail marketplace in 2022 alone.":1,"#ECommerce has breathed new life into numerous brick-and-mortar businesses, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, countless individuals have embraced the opportunities presented by eCommerce. Nevertheless, beneath these promising prospects lie formidable challenges. One such challenge involves eCommerce returns, which, if mishandled, can cast a shadow over your business’s success and erode your margins.":1,"#Unsurprisingly, shoppers expect the return experience to be seamless. Research shows that <a ljsid-1=\"\">25% of shoppers</a> perceive the process negatively if it requires them to go out of their way.":1,"#MERCHANDISE SALES, RETURNS AND RETURN FRAUD":1,"#Let’s explore the detrimental impact of eCommerce returns and the best-practice strategies that businesses can adopt to navigate through it.":1,"#A risk of losing customer loyalty.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><a ljsid-0-0=\"\">In a 2021 consumer research report</a></strong>, different verticals have shown varying levels of vulnerability to returns. The study revealed that apparel led the pack by a significant margin, with 88% of consumers returning, followed closely behind were shoes at 44% and electronics at 43%.":1,"#Increased resources spent on storage, logistics and personnel.":1,"#In response to the elevating return requests, businesses are adding workers, increasing warehouse space, and establishing separate departments to handle reverse logistics.":1,"#Beyond just lost sales, returns can affect the business negatively in other aspects:":1,"#Many businesses have embraced 3D/AR technology to showcase their products in action – whether it’s trying them on, visualizing them in a customer’s living space, or comparing them to real-life objects. And by adopting that, they have seen the return rate reduced by <a ljsid-1=\"\">5%</a>.":1,"#Many businesses do not have a sustainable reverse logistics system (the return process of an order, the process of moving the product from the customer to the point of origin.) in place, so they would have to buy extra storage space for the returned goods. Research indicates that as much as <a ljsid-1=\"\">21%</a> of a company’s logistics budget has been spent on inventory carrying, revealing the challenges posed by inadequate return processes in place.":1,"#Shopping in-store has a notably lower return rate compared to shopping online. The tangible interaction with products empowers shoppers to make more informed decisions before purchasing. That’s why it’s essential for eCommerce businesses to mimic the in-store experience by making the product content closely resemble reality.":1,"#After the initial rush, “COVID Normal” behaviors set in. Activity declined from the Spike, but remained higher than in years past. However, shoppers also <strong ljsid-1=\"\">began to connect and interact more deeply online</strong>. This period highlights the increased value of online content, as consumers spent more time online and interacting with the information on a product’s detail page.":1,"#Overlaying traffic with viewability – the trend of content consumption is rising":1,"#Interestingly, shopper activity combined some COVID Spike behaviors with the extended browsing behaviors gained during the COVID Normal” phase. While repeat visits went up marginally and content viewability jumped by 11%, the average interaction time and time on page dropped considerably. This hyper-focused period of extensive comparison shopping was combined with the consumers’ willingness to dig a bit deeper: Consumers were deal hunting, but also taking the time to read past the headline and dive into more engaging content before taking action. This helped to drive the significant growth ($1.186B) in incremental cart value.":1,"#If ever there was a year of retail revolution, 2020 could be at the top. In addition to online platforms expanding physical store footprints, “last mile” providers, and checkout-free concepts, the massive restrictions brought on by COVID-19 provided an incubator for experimentation on a grand scale. Retailers, distributors and brands alike were forced to adapt to the new reality of what shopping meant.":1,"#The “Pre-COVID” timeframe ended around mid-March and showed a typical fall-off in activity from the previous holiday period. This is typical during most years, but what happened next isn’t. Beginning mid-March, the “COVID Spike” began, pushing online activity nearly as high as 2019’s Black Friday numbers. Consumers flocked to pages in droves, buying products in anticipation of a wide-scale retail shutdown – perceived necessities including paper and cleaning products, dry and canned goods and other stock-up items.":1,"#Syndigo clients benefited from an estimated $1.186 billion in incremental cart value during busiest online holiday season":1,"#And consumers have leveraged online shopping in a big way. On Cyber Weekend alone (Black Friday through Cyber Monday), Syndigo clients using Enhanced content on their product pages gained an estimated<strong ljsid-1=\"\"> $1.186 billion in incremental cart value</strong> compared to PDPs with no Enhanced content. Consumers who interacted with Enhanced content also converted at a higher rate – 34% more than those who did not interact with Enhanced content.":1,"#Content interaction rates and time on page skyrocketed 23 points and 39 points higher than any other period, respectively. These interaction rates were helped by pages that included enhanced rich media – videos, images with interactive hotspots, and comparison charts or recipe ideas – to engage shoppers who may have had more time to browse deeply. And those pages with Enhanced content benefited in return.":1,"#As online sales began early to cover for in-store declines during the year, many wondered if the Cyber Weekend (Black Friday and Cyber Monday) would have as strong an impact as in years past. And without question, the online shopping behavior confirmed that yes, there would.":1,"#How does consumer behavior change when “social urgency” rises?":1,"#2020 has been a rollercoaster…can you spot the COVID Spike?":1,"#However, rather than typical online shopping, consumers during the COVID Spike were just <em ljsid-1=\"\">buying</em> without spending much time looking. When considering the page viewability – whether shoppers were scrolling through an entire page, it was low during the Spike (see Chart 2). This table also shows – while both traffic and repeat visits rose by more than 20%, the engagement – including the amount of time spent on site and the information interacted with – plummeted. Buying in anticipation of a looming deadline did not encourage browsing.":1,"#Throughout the year, Syndigo has been tracking activity across nearly 3 billion pageviews and has also seen some interesting trends. Based on the timing of the pandemic, online shopping behavior trended in four specific time periods: “Pre-COVID”, the “COVID Spike”, “COVID Normal”, and Cyber Weekend.":1,"#Access to ETIM classification models (ETIM 8.0, ETIM 9.0 and ETIM 10.0 coming soon).":1,"#Wild Planet Foods":1,"#This online event will be the first in a series of webinars hosted by Syndigo and Squadra to help companies overcome data management challenges and to learn how to unlock product data and unleash your commerce strategy.":1,"#Don’t miss out! Request the webinar recording now to transform your technical product information management.":1,"#Discover the importance of data standards, common business challenges, and how Syndigo’s ETIM integration enhances our PIM solutions, benefiting manufacturers and businesses in the electrotechnical and HVAC sectors. Gain first-hand insights from our guest, Jeroen van der Holst from ETIM International, on why standards are important and the role ETIM plays. Improve your product data exchange between manufacturers, distributors, and end-users with our innovative solutions.":1,"#Admittedly, doing such manual work will take a substantial amount of time and effort, especially for businesses with many SKUs at hand, Syndigo’s <a ljsid-1=\"\">Compare with Live</a> report can come into assistance here.":1,"#Or you can try out utilizing <a ljsid-1=\"\">Enhanced Content</a> to bring life to your product pages. Delivering engaging content that converts by transforming your product experience from simple descriptions to immersive storytelling with findable, searchable, enhanced media, shown to produce a 39% average lift in add-to-cart rates.":1,"#Ensure your product content is engaging and interactive":1,"#Get deep insights into data quality issues with content integrity auditing at attribute levels.":1},"version":36283}]