Company Overview

In March 2000, 17 international retailers founded the WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE) to enable participating retailers and manufacturers to simplify, rationalize, and automate supply chain processes, thereby eliminating inefficiencies in the supply chain. Today, the WWRE is the premier Internet-based business-to-business (B2B) exchange in the retail e-marketplace. Utilizing the most sophisticated Internet technology available, the WWRE enables retailers and manufacturers in the food, general merchandise, textile/home, and drugstore sectors to substantially reduce costs across product development, e-Procurement, and supply chain processes. Current membership consists of 64 retail industry leaders from around the world with combined revenue of over U.S. $900 billion.

To date, the WWRE has saved its members over $917 million. The Exchange operates as an open, independently managed company that generates benefits for its members a (Retailers and Manufacturers), and ultimately the consumer. To that end, the WWRE is run as a private company with no plans of going public. Rather, the WWRE is intent on focusing its effort and resources on bringing value to its customers and improving supply chain efficiency within the retail industry.

Founding Principles
The following six principles are among the principles that guide the WWRE's development and growth:

• Openness
• Commitment to utilizing the best available technology
• Focus on improving efficiency and lowering costs for the retail industry
• Operation as a neutral company
• Equivalent fee structures for all participants
• Confidentiality of transaction information

Value Proposition
The WWRE will continue to be the premier integrated worldwide exchange community for retailers and manufacturers by improving efficiency and lowering costs throughout the supply chain. There are seven key ways for members to realize value:

• Low-cost product offerings that are robust, scaleable, integrated, and fully supported
• Shared technology investments and outsourced assets
• Ability to access a global membership community and network with other retailers/manufacturers
• Value-added services from a trusted source, at competitive costs
• Participation in collaborative activities
• Complex transactions and interactions made easy through automation
• Standard setting benefits for all B2B activities
  

Products & Services
The WWRE offers a full-scope procurement platform that allows participants to conduct a full range of e-commerce transactions. Core products and services include Negotiations & Auctions, Collaborative Planner; WorldWide Item Management, eProcurement, WorldWide Design Planning & Management, and WorldWide Trade Logistics.

Global Headquarters*

WWRE
625 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
U.S.A.
www.wwre.org
phone: 703.234.5100
fax: 703.234.5200

* Representatives located in the Asia-Pacific (Tokyo) and Europe (Paris).

Awards and Accolades

• Forbes - Listed in September 10, 2001 special Business to Business issue of Forbes as a Best of the Web 2001 honoree in the retailing category.
  
  
• CIO-100 - Placed on CIO magazine's "CIO-100" list, which recognizes organizations around the world that excel in positive business performance through innovative practices and products. This year the list of honored companies includes those that have "demonstrated innovation to improve products, services, and relationships with partners and clients."