🏢Host File Mastery Part 1: What is Hosting?
Hosting is a system where your host company (Metcash, Foodworks, ALM, C-Store, or SPAR) centrally manages your inventory. They send you host files containing product updates—new items, price changes, description updates, and deletions—which you download and process to keep your system current.
What Changes Come Through Host Files
- New Items - Recently added products
- Price Updates - Cost and retail price changes
- Description Changes - Updated product details
- Barcode Updates - New or corrected barcodes
- Item Deletions - Discontinued products
Why Use Hosting
Time Savings: Updates hundreds or thousands of items automatically in minutes instead of hours of manual data entry.
Accuracy: Eliminates manual entry errors—data comes directly from your supplier's database.
Currency: Your inventory stays current with your supplier's latest information.
How Often Should You Host?
Check with your host company for their schedule. Most release files weekly, , and offer files as promotions change.
ℹ️ Note: Download and process every host file when available. Missing files leads to incorrect pricing, missing products, and outdated inventory.
The Hosting Workflow
- Download - Retrieve host files from your host company
- Process - Import the file to apply changes
- Review - Optionally review price changes before they go live
- Report - Check what changes were applied
Supported Host Companies
- Metcash - Grocery and liquor wholesaler
- Foodworks - Independent grocery group
- ALM - Australian Liquor Marketers
- SPAR - International retail chain
- C-Store - Convenience store group
Next Steps
Ready to get started? This article series will guide you through the complete hosting process:
First up, Downloading Host Files - Learn how to retrieve files from your specific host company
👉📥 Host Files Mastery Part 2: Downloading Metcash/ALM/C-Store Host Files
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