During the course of RCC meetings we will review survey results which often lead to requests for more formal analysis and recommendation. The RCC has undertaken several studies since January 2004 based on retailer participants who agree to provide information to be compared and analyzed against their peers.

Vendor Guidelines
A survey of vendors highlighted their perception that compliance manuals and associated deductions represent the most significant factor in non-compliance caused by retailers. Fourteen retailers requested the RCC compare their websites’ compliance manuals and other documents. RCC presented the results of this study and resulted in the Compliance Manual Convention.

Scorecards
Another dimension of vendor performance improvement and one currently less adopted among the retail industry is scorecards. The analysis of 12 major retailers’ scorecarding programs lead to a deeper understanding of metrics and the use of templates as an approach to effectively manage vendors.

ASN
Through member and participant surveys and research RCC/VCF recognized a strong interest in the marketplace for accurate and timely notification of advanced ship notification failure.  VCF and RCC have created a joint working group comprised of retailers and vendors to work through the issues.  In the process, a glossary of terms has been developed and an X12 Change Request for submission to GS1-US (formally the Uniform Code Council) has been drafted.  Work in progress includes a Retailer Ship Notice Checklist and an issues and best practices workbook.