METRO Future Store uses SAF-Software

Since 1999, the METRO Group, one of the world's largest retailers, has been relying on SAF software for automated replenishment. Focus of the cooperation is the SAF SuperStore forecasting and ordering software. With a high degree of reliability the SAF system handles the replenishment process in the METRO stores automatically. The system determines the optimal order quantities on the basis of demand forecasts. Price changes, promotions, calendar events and many other internal and external factors are taken into account. The precise demand forecasts and the associated order quantities considerably improve product availability and at the same time reduce out-of-stocks. This means increased turnover and profit in the stores and improved customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

Besides its stores in Germany, the group is using the system in foreign stores too. Thus, the SAF forecasting and ordering system SAF SuperStore also runs the replenishment process in the METRO Future Store in Tönisvorst.

SAF joins METRO Group Future Store Initiative
In addition, in the course of the METRO Group Future Store Initiative SAF is testing an innovative Out-of-Stock-Detection system (OOS Detection). In the retail store of the future, SAF is evaluating a method for automated detection of out of stock situations to develop its prototype into a marketable product. SAF OOS Detection quickly and reliably determines out of stocks of all movement classes.

How it works: By using the data provided from cash vouchers, the system provides for each article the average interval in which the article is usually sold. Thereby, the system takes daily and weekly sales fluctuations into account as well as effects of seasonal patterns and promotions. If the usual cycle is considerably exceeded, the system suspects a lack and issues a warning.

The advantage: OOS Detection identifies gaps even if the products are on stock but have not yet been put on the shelves or if they are in a wrong place where customers can't find them. In this way, the system optimizes the critical last 50 yards of store logistics. This project is another milestone in the long-time cooperation between METRO and SAF.