About ECR Australasia
The introduction of ECR in Australia and New Zealand through Efficient Consumer Response Australasia reflects a renewed commitment to take costs out of the grocery supply chain and better satisfy consumer demands through the adoption of world's best practices.
In an increasingly global food and grocery industry and retail environment subject to rapid change, the future for Australian and New Zealand suppliers, retailers and wholesalers depends on increased efficiencies, reduced costs and added value for consumers. Influences such as global sourcing, new retail formats and channels, international retailers, competing products and services, technological innovation and the spread of e-commerce, have all contributed to the pressure for change.
ECR Australasia Becomes a Reality
Formally launched in November 1999, ECR Australasia is an informally constituted joint industry body that is supported by the Boards of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), New Zealand Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC) and Australian and New Zealand food and grocery retailers and wholesalers.
The secretariat is located within the AFGC and not as a separate legal entity as in many European countries. Member companies of all supporting organisations are eligible to participate in, provide input to, and access the outputs of ECR Australasia.
A Board of high-level industry executives, representing Australian and New Zealand suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, directs and manages the ECR Australasia agenda, taking into account industry imperatives as described above. Contacts
ECR Australasia establishes project teams of personnel drawn from member companies, service providers, consultants and the article numbering organisations of both countries, GSI Australia and GSI New Zealand to address specific issues. The project team are representative of the Australian food and grocery sector and report directly to the Board through a designated Board sponsor. In addition, reference groups are created for each project where there is sufficient interest. Members of the reference group will be sent material as it is developed and given the opportunity to provide input on possible outcomes.
An Ambitious Work Program
The work program has addressed a number of interrelated issues and designed to increase the pace of adoption of ECR practices and emerging technologies, provide a foundation for further savings and efficiency initiatives and provide greater satisfaction for consumers.
Project briefs and a reference to associated project publications can be found on this website.
The Challenge
The ECR Australasia agenda and work program continues to be both ambitious and challenging for trading partners throughout the food and grocery sector. The achievement of timely outcomes which can generate substantial cost savings, greater efficiencies in the delivery of products to consumers and increased value to both consumers and trading partners depends on the committed involvement of companies throughout the sector.
To this end, ECR Australasia welcomes participation by companies and their senior executives in working together for total customer satisfaction.