Concentration tendencies, globalization, increasing cost pressure and well-informed customers all make up the hard competition faced by today's businesses. The "right" products, a successful market image, a strong positioning between suppliers and customers, efficient logistics and optimum organization structures contribute to a company's survival. Achieving this goal requires flexible information and communication systems that are fully adaptable to the specific situation. Modern retail information systems are not bound by organization borders but support both business partner cooperation and electronic commerce. This book presents the architecture of retail information systems, as well as the functions of SAP Retail, and in so doing links modern retail management with the implementation strategies based on innovative software systems.

1 Market and Competitive Conditions in Trading with Consumer Goods

2 Architecture of Integrated Information Systems in Retailing Companies
3 Closed Merchandise Management Systems and Their Realization with SAP Retail
4 Distributed Retail Information Systems (DRS)
5 Systems for the Support of the Company Management
6 Electronic Commerce in the Retail Sector
7 Planning and Control of Goods Flows Between Industry and the Retail Sector
Appendix: SAP Retail Functionality Checklist
Terms and Abbreviations.