Information Standards in Retailing? A Review and Future Outlook

Purpose As a result of the ongoing digitalisation of retailing, we are now seeing increasing interest from many actors participating in the retail value chain to redefine the information standards and protocols through which manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers collaborate and share data. Design Methodology/Approach The purpose of this conceptual study is to understand the role of information standards in the retail value chain and their implications across the retail sector, both now and into the future. First, we review existing literature on information standards across disciplines and sectors, then present a set of propositions about how 'global' and 'local' information standards, i.e. elaborate systems of standards, may influence actors participating in the retail value chain. Findings We illuminate the strategic implications of information standards on consolidation, competition, and collaboration in the retail value chain, including their potential benefits and drawbacks. Practical implications We argue that retailers face a risk that rather than a 'global' standard for information exchange emerging, adopted by a majority of leading retailers worldwide, and spearheaded by global standard-setting bodiess, as well as consultants and technology providers, several 'local' information standards may emerge which only ensure the interoperability of particular transaction partners. As such, managers of organisations operating across the retail value chain need to be aware of how both 'global' or 'local' information standards may represent a two-bladed sword. Originality and Value This conceptual study is one of the first studies to consider the strategic, sector-level implications of information standards in the specific context of the retail sector