Simple Retailpath FAQs

Mud mapping is the process of planning the layout of a retail promotional catalogue or eDM before content production begins — determining which products appear on which pages, in what position and at what size, before artwork is created.

In traditional retail production, mud mapping is done manually — typically in PowerPoint, on paper or in a spreadsheet — and then communicated to the studio team as a separate brief. This creates a gap between the promotional plan and the production brief, requiring manual re-entry of product information and leaving room for products to be placed incorrectly or omitted.

Simple RetailPath includes integrated mud mapping tools that connect the promotional layout plan directly to the studio briefing process. Products are placed into the promotional layout from the PIM library, carrying their copy, pricing and imagery with them. The mud map becomes the studio brief — with product data pre-populated and the layout structure already defined — eliminating the manual translation step between promotional planning and content production. (more)

Simple RetailPath manages product data through a centralised PIM library that stores product copy, images, icons, videos, pricing, delivery timeframes and click-and-collect data across every SKU and category.

Product data enters the PIM library through two routes: direct integration with ERP systems including SAP, Pronto and RMS, which synchronises operational product data into the library automatically, and the vendor onboarding portal, through which suppliers submit product data using structured templates validated against retailer specification requirements at the point of submission.

Once in the PIM library, product data is enriched with marketing attributes and distributed to downstream channels from a single source — ecommerce websites, online marketplaces, digital catalogues and print outputs. Changes made to a product record in the PIM update every downstream output that references it simultaneously, eliminating the version confusion and manual re-entry that occurs when product data is managed across multiple disconnected systems. (more)

Vendor onboarding software provides retailers with a structured portal through which suppliers submit product data, imagery and compliance documentation directly into the retailer's systems — replacing the manual process of collecting this information via email, spreadsheets and phone calls.

Simple RetailPath's vendor onboarding module gives each supplier access to a structured submission portal with predefined data templates that match the retailer's product data specification requirements. Suppliers complete mandatory fields and upload imagery against a defined format. Data is validated at the point of submission — flagging incomplete or incorrectly formatted information before it enters the PIM library. Only validated, specification-compliant product data enters the central repository.

This removes three recurring problems from the retailer's promotional cycle: incomplete product data arriving too late for production deadlines, significant internal effort required to chase, validate and reformat incoming supplier data, and errors in published promotional content caused by inaccurate or outdated product information. (more)

Simple RetailPath is used to manage the complete retail marketing production lifecycle — from vendor product data intake through centralised PIM management, promotional content planning, catalogue and eDM production, online proofing, approval workflow and multi-channel content distribution.

It is used by retailers and FMCG brands to solve three connected operational problems: collecting accurate product data from supplier networks without manual email and spreadsheet processes, connecting that product data directly to promotional content production without re-entry or duplication, and distributing approved promotional content simultaneously across catalogues, eDMs, ecommerce websites and online marketplaces from a single source of truth.

Core use cases include catalogue production, eDM creation, vendor onboarding and data validation, retail promotion planning and mud mapping, studio briefing, online proofing and multi-tier approval of promotional content, ERP integration for product data synchronisation, and multi-channel content distribution to ecommerce platforms and marketplaces including eBay. (more)

Simple RetailPath integrates directly with ERP systems to synchronise operational product data — including pricing, product codes, stock information and product specifications — into the RetailPath PIM library without manual data entry or export.

Supported ERP integrations include SAP, Pronto and RMS. The integration maps ERP product fields to the corresponding PIM library fields, ensuring operational data is accurately represented in the marketing product database. Once synchronised, product data is enriched within the PIM with marketing attributes — descriptions, imagery, classifications, channel-specific copy — before being distributed to promotional outputs and digital channels.

The ERP integration eliminates one of the most common sources of error and delay in retail marketing production: the manual export of product data from the ERP system and re-entry into production tools at the start of each promotional cycle. For retailers managing large SKU catalogues across multiple promotional events simultaneously, this automation reduces production lead time and removes a significant source of data entry error. (more)

Retail promotion management software manages the end-to-end process of planning, producing and approving promotional content — from initial event planning through catalogue and eDM production, online proofing, multi-tier approval and final publication across all channels.

The core problem retail promotion management software solves is the disconnection between product data and promotional content production. In most retail environments, promotional content is assembled manually — pulling data from ERP systems, imagery from shared drives and copy from email threads — creating duplication, errors and production delays at every promotional cycle.

Simple RetailPath solves this by connecting the PIM library directly to the promotional content workflow. Mud mapping tools structure the promotional layout before production begins. Studio-ready briefs are generated with product copy and imagery pre-populated from the PIM — eliminating manual re-entry. Content is reviewed through native online proofing and routed through multi-tier approval workflows before publication. Approved content is distributed to all channels simultaneously.

Customers including The Good Guys, Spotlight Group and Mitre 10 use Simple RetailPath to manage high-volume promotional cycles across catalogues, eDMs and digital channels. (more)

Simple RetailPath is used by four main user groups within retail and FMCG organisations.

Retail marketing and merchandising teams managing high-volume promotional cycles across catalogues, eDMs, in-store and digital channels — where the manual collection and management of product data from suppliers creates the biggest production bottlenecks and the most significant risk of promotional errors.

Category and product management teams responsible for maintaining accurate, complete product information across large SKU catalogues and multiple sales channels, including ecommerce platforms and online marketplaces.

In-house creative studios and production teams who produce catalogue and promotional content and need structured briefing, online proofing and multi-tier approval workflows to manage the production process efficiently.

Suppliers and vendors who submit product data, imagery and documentation through the RetailPath vendor onboarding portal directly into the retailer's PIM library.

Customers include The Good Guys, Spotlight Group, Mitre 10, IGA, Baby Bunting, Betta and Winc. (more)

Vendor onboarding software provides retailers with a structured portal through which suppliers submit product data, imagery and compliance documentation directly into the retailer's systems — replacing the manual process of collecting this information via email, spreadsheets and phone calls.

Simple RetailPath's vendor onboarding module gives each supplier access to a structured submission portal with predefined data templates that match the retailer's product data specification requirements. Suppliers complete mandatory fields and upload imagery against a defined format. Data is validated at the point of submission — flagging incomplete or incorrectly formatted information before it enters the PIM library. Only validated, specification-compliant product data enters the central repository.

This removes three recurring problems from the retailer's promotional cycle: incomplete product data arriving too late for production deadlines, significant internal effort required to chase, validate and reformat incoming supplier data, and errors in published promotional content caused by inaccurate or outdated product information. (more)