In a significant move aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency, RELEX Solutions has announced a partnership with Woolworths Group to implement its RELEX Replenishment solution across all distribution centers and 1,400 stores in Australia and New Zealand. This collaboration, revealed on April 15, 2025, seeks to modernize Woolworths’ existing replenishment platform, ultimately aiming to improve product availability, optimize costs, and strengthen supplier collaboration.
Woolworths Group Director of Group Replenishment Justin Henderson emphasized the need for modernization, stating, “We identified an opportunity to modernise our existing replenishment platform to support maximising product availability for customers, optimising cost and forging stronger supplier collaboration.” He further noted that by partnering with RELEX, the company expects enhanced visibility across the group, allowing teams and partners to focus on building greater consistency with their supply and demand plans. This initiative is anticipated to significantly improve product availability for customers both in-store and online.
RELEX Solutions employs advanced analytics and machine learning technologies to facilitate precise planning, thus reducing uncertainties and enhancing overall supply chain efficiency. Stefano Scandelli, General Manager of the Consumer Goods and Production Business Unit and Senior Vice President of Sales EMEA & APAC at RELEX, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “We’re proud to partner with Woolworths Group in supporting and modernising their replenishment capabilities.” He added that the platform can manage even the largest data sets overnight, streamlining operations and providing cross-company visibility into inventory and sales.
Originally a startup founded in Finland, RELEX has grown into a global entity, now employing over 1,800 individuals across 21 countries. This partnership marks a pivotal step for Woolworths, which is committed to enhancing its operational capabilities through technology.
In addition to the collaboration with RELEX, Woolworths has also expanded its relationship with Google Cloud, entering into a five-year strategic partnership. This extension aims to bolster the supermarket chain's data, insights, and automation capabilities, building upon a foundation established in 2017. Woolworths Group Chief Information Officer and Group Enablement Managing Director John Hunt remarked on Google Cloud's contributions, noting, “Google Cloud is widely acknowledged for their strategic contributions across all our business areas.”
The partnership with Google Cloud has been instrumental in accelerating data visualization and analytics, transforming workflows and unlocking the full potential of Woolworths’ data. Hunt expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration, stating, “We appreciate the support and collaboration of all our technology partners in keeping our operations running smoothly, whilst simultaneously progressing our technology transformation and innovation agenda, to improve and enable processes and customer and team experiences.”
Highlighting the importance of this partnership, Google Cloud Australia and New Zealand Vice President Paul Migliorini stated, “Our goal remains to help Woolworths further leverage Google Cloud’s data analytics and advanced technology capabilities to drive innovation across their business.” The collaboration was further solidified when Google Cloud was awarded the Technology Partner of the Year at the Woolworths Group Technology and Business Enablement Awards.
The strategic partnerships with both RELEX and Google Cloud reflect Woolworths’ commitment to leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiencies and customer experiences. With these collaborations, Woolworths aims to stay ahead in the competitive retail landscape, ensuring that customers receive the products they need when they need them.
As the retail sector continues to evolve, the integration of advanced technology and analytics is becoming increasingly crucial. Woolworths’ partnerships with RELEX and Google Cloud illustrate a proactive approach to addressing these challenges, positioning the company for future success.
In summary, the combination of RELEX’s replenishment solutions and Google Cloud’s data capabilities represents a comprehensive strategy for Woolworths to enhance its supply chain and operational efficiency. By modernizing its systems and leveraging data-driven insights, Woolworths is not only aiming to improve product availability but also striving to create a more seamless shopping experience for customers across Australia and New Zealand.
