For example, when inventory sells on the exchange, the seller's back-office systems are automatically alerted to the sale. The inventory-management system is notified, the shipping department is prompted to fetch the supplies being sold, and shipping labels are automatically printed. Buyers' systems automatically receive notification of shipping schedules, and arrange financing for the purchase.
Buyers can also track the shipments' progress.
In September, the WorldWide Retail Exchange will begin hosting auctions between retailers such as Best Buy, J.C. Penney, Kmart, and Target, and the 100,000 manufacturers and distributors that supply them with merchandise.