Building a Single Source of Truth for Asia’s Own Brands Leader

When Growth Exposed the Gaps in Product Management 

Before adopting TradeBeyond, DFI identified opportunities for improvement in managing its Own Brands product information. While the previous system served its purpose, it presented several challenges as the complexity of product management processes evolved! 

• The system's accessibility constraints highlighted the need for improved communication and collaboration with external suppliers. 

• The time spent on manual checking on product specification updates pointed to an opportunity for streamlining processes. 

• The reliance on manual follow-ups and data entry emphasized the importance of integrating supplier data for more efficient operations. 

As DFI expanded its Own brand business, addressing these challenges became essential for optimizing processes and driving future growth. 

Centralizing Specifications Across a Complex Own Brands Portfolio 

To orchestrate these complex operations, DFI used TradeBeyond’s multi-enterprise platform to manage product specifications, allow better information exchange between multiple internal and external parties with version control for better product management, and ensure data integrity across its complete Own Brands portfolio. 

TradeBeyond functions as DFI's central repository for product specifications across its entire Own Brands portfolio, consolidating ingredients, nutritional panels, packaging claims, regulatory certifications, and supplier data into a single platform. By housing this information in one place, TradeBeyond ensures that every stakeholder, whether internal team member or external supplier, works from the most current version of product data, eliminating the confusion that arises when teams operate from outdated or conflicting records. 

This centralization has also transformed how teams collaborate. By removing the barriers of location and time zone, TradeBeyond allows internal teams and suppliers to work together in real time, with shared visibility into certifications, packaging details, and specification data. Built-in version control preserves accuracy at every stage of product development, cutting down on errors and reducing the rework that often results from miscommunication or outdated information. 

The Payoff: Faster, Cleaner, More Connected Operations  

The impact of this shift shows up across several key outcomes. Supplier collaboration has strengthened considerably, with suppliers and DFI teams now able to work together on data in real time rather than through delayed back-and-forth exchanges. Data accessibility has also improved, since stakeholders can reach the platform at any time, which in turn supports clearer and more consistent communication. Misunderstandings have become far less common, as real-time updates keep everyone aligned on the same version of the data. Specification tracking is now more streamlined as well, with a trackable record of amendments making it easy to identify what changed and who made the change, simplifying processes that once required manual cross-referencing. Finally, the platform's full visibility into product and supplier data has reduced risk and increased transparency, giving teams the information they need to make well-informed decisions throughout the product lifecycle. 

About DFI 

DFI Retail Group (the ‘Group’) is a leading Asian retailer, driven by its purpose to “Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments”. As at 31 May 2025, the Group, its associates and joint ventures operated over 7,700 outlets and employed over 85,000 people. The Group had total annual revenue in 2024 exceeding US$24.9 billion. The Group is dedicated to delivering quality, value and service to Asian consumers through a compelling retail experience, supported by an extensive store network and highly efficient supply chains. The Group, including associates and joint ventures, operates a portfolio of well-known brands across five key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings, and restaurants. DFI Retail Group is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.