The Challenge
Sligro’s growth over the years had created a fundamental challenge. Every new company brought its own systems, data models and processes. What started as pragmatic integrations gradually became a structure that was difficult to scale and manage. The expansion from the Netherlands into Belgium added another layer of complexity, with local legislation and country-specific data requirements to take into account.
This led to:
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Product data spread across multiple systems and data sources
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Duplicate products, creating unnecessary data management work
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Manual processes and workarounds, including spreadsheets and disconnected workflows
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Limited visibility into data quality and inconsistencies
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Slow and complex integration of new acquisitions
At the same time, the pressure on product data increased sharply. Digital channels were growing fast, while physical sales remained just as important. Product information therefore needed to be accurate, consistent and available across every channel.
Stricter regulation added further complexity. GDSN, EUDR and CSRD all increase the need for product data that is not only accurate, but also complete, traceable and available on time. That data often has to come from a large and diverse supplier network.
For Sligro, the core question was clear: how do you move from a fragmented landscape to a central, manageable data layer? And how do you make sure complex product information, such as packaging data, is managed once in a central place instead of being recreated and maintained separately in every system?
Our Approach
Together with YellowGround, Sligro chose a clear direction: centralise product data in one MDM platform, with Stibo Systems STEP as the foundation.
One central data model
YellowGround helped design and implement a central data model where all product information comes together. Data from internal systems and many external sources, including GS1, Superunie via GDSN, Brandbank and PS in Food, is captured, validated and converted into consistent golden records.
Standardised workflows bring structure to key processes, including:
- Creating product records
- Processing and structuring data from different sources
- Integrating supplier data through datapools
- Managing product photography
Phased transformation without disruption
Sligro chose a phased approach. The integration of Metro Belgium after its acquisition in 2023 became the first concrete test case. It quickly showed that Stibo can help integrate acquisitions faster and in a more controlled way.
In parallel, Sligro started phasing out legacy systems without putting daily operations at risk.
More autonomy, less dependency
Team autonomy was a key principle from the start. YellowGround set up the implementation so Sligro’s internal team could take ownership early on.
Today, both operational and development teams work from one central environment. This speeds up change and reduces dependency on external parties.
Results & Impact
The implementation changed how Sligro works with product data across the organisation.
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Centralised data management
All product data is managed in one platform, based on a consistent data model and supported by clear processes and workflows that safeguard data quality and consistency.
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Better handling of external data
Data from different datapools can now be reliably ingested and processed.
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Improved performance
The migration to Microsoft Azure resolved earlier performance issues when processing large datasets.
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Faster integration of acquisitions
New companies can be integrated into the data landscape faster and in a more structured way.
- Phasing out legacy systems
Moving to a central SaaS solution makes it possible to gradually retire fragmented legacy systems.
