Nordics Largest Electronics Retailer Elkjøp: Support of Unique Taxonomy and Order Flows

Elkjøp, also known as Elgiganten and Gigantti, is the largest consumer electronics retailer in the Nordics, with 400 store locations and 10,000 employees. Last year, a custom-made data-transformation-and-delivery-platform has been created for Elkjøp’s Supplier Article Onboarding program, which vendors feed through Icecat. Within a year, tens of brands like HP, SMEG, TCL, and Babyliss started participating in the program and transmitting their content to Elkjøp via Icecat. Elkjøp’s e-commerce environment is fed with product data conforming to multiple classification and taxonomy standards.

Elkjøp taxonomy

The Elkjøp taxonomy is unique, unlike any other taxonomy. In short, the Elkjøp taxonomy consists of two separate parts. Firstly, an XSD schema covering logistical data, rich media, and texts. Secondly, a JSON template, used for the exchange of a product’s technical datasheet. Another interesting point that makes the taxonomy unique is that the XSD schema includes not only common attributes. It also includes support of multiple standards and taxonomies:

• GS1 Global Product Classification (GPC)
• United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC)
• EU Commodity Code
• Norwegian Commodity Code (NCC)

This project covers direct Icecat-to-Elkjøp mappings and mappings of the Icecat data model to all these standards.

Progress has been very good. So far, attracting new brands is going very well. Although it is a learning curve for all contributing parties, we gained experience to improve the process. The future goal is to integrate as many brands as possible through the Supplier Article Onboarding. I also have high hopes for the feed and order integration through Icecat, which is quite connected with the SAO process and has great importance for all parties.

Anders Bruhn Fagerjord, Commercial MDM & EDI Coordinater at Elkjøp

Data Flows

Icecat introduces a possibility not just to optimize and standardize product descriptions in its global catalog. But also allows to collect, transform, and push all the product data to the largest consumer electronics retailer in the Nordics, Elkjøp.

The designed solution automatically streams the product content right into the retailer’s database in accordance with its XSD schema, content requirements, and specifications. The solution shares the information of new products and sends updates of those that are already live on the market.

Apart from basic product content, the solution covers all rich media assets. For example, feature stories and product relations. Furthermore, it also allows to reveals all technical, environmental, and logistical features of a product.

Automating order flows

During the summer, Elkjøp will sort and re-order the prioritization of brands to approach next. Shortly, Icecat will also start automating the feed for onboarding suppliers with their stock and pricing. And, additionally, the order flow from Elkjøp to suppliers will be automated. Brands and suppliers will be able to use a single source for all of their needs.

Would you like to deliver your brand’s product information via Icecat to Elkjøp directly? Please register online, contact your Account Manager or contact Icecat directly!

Yagiz Cekic