Introduction Toys and Games Data Model v3: Towards a Global Standard

In April, Icecat finalized the acquisition of Cedemo – an e-commerce player in the niche of toys, video games, board games, licensed products and accessories. To be able to exchange Cedemo’s data within the Icecat ecosystem, the taxonomies need to be harmonized. Following the acquisition, the process of taxonomy integration, alignment and improvement started shortly. It, however, brought some challenges to both the taxonomy teams of Cedemo and Icecat, as each data model stands on a different classification foundation. Icecat’s taxonomy is brand- and buyer-centric, whereas Cedemo’s is retailer-centric. So, quite a challenge!

It presents a great opportunity for us to improve, extend and bring to the next level our Toys & Games taxonomy. Specifically, because Cedemo’s taxonomy matrix:

• includes the NPD categorization, which is widely used in the toys sector and adopted by major retailers and brands;
• includes retailer-specific categorizations of Amazon, Auchan, Carrefour, FNAC, Cdiscount, Redoute and others;
• contains many logistical, packaging and product-flow attributes that we typically tend to separate in separate data flows;
• contains specific EU warnings and safety attributes;
• contain technical attributes for the toys & games niche;
• has fully adopted to Amazon AFS schemas;
• has fully adopted schemas and templates of other key retailers;
• is accepted and widely used by well-known brands such as Lego, Mattel, Playmobil, EA, Ubisoft and many others, at least for France.

Generally, it means that all the data, required by a whole supply chain, is now stored and maintained in a single place. Such approach makes information clear, easily accessible and flexible.

Games and Toys Data Model Version 3

All-in-all, the integration is successful, and we can now introduce the Toys and Games Data Model Version 3. It is more comprehensive, more adjusted to retailer needs, and more convenient for brands (via Icecat Vendor Central). Icecat, de facto, now guards a ‘toys & games classification standard’ which includes GPC (GS1 product classification), NPD and retailer’s classification formats, and is and will be in a common use by major market players all over the world.

Alex Karelsky