Supplier Letter
As of 01/01/07 Safeway enhanced the New Item Process through partnering with Gladson Interactive, a
leader in product image, content and dimension data capture. This enhancement has enabled us to
power our store and consumer initiatives that rely on accurate product level data.
The Gladson OutpostTM, an advanced product information capture system, is installed at our Pleasanton
Golden Gate facility. Prior to product presentation you will be required to submit your item to Gladson
Interactive directly or you may choose to be personally guided through the use of the Gladson Outpost
station by a Gladson Remote Capture Technician.
Each product presented to Safeway for consideration will need to first be processed through the product
information capture process via Gladson. It is the vendor’s responsibility to keep Gladson Interactive upto-date on all new items and any updated packaging (label, package size, nutrition, product information
changes etc.).
Once the product is processed through Gladson Interactive, you will be able to answer, “Yes” to the
question on your New Item Form “Is this product on file with Gladson Interactive?” Submitting your item
to Gladson Interactive prior to your new item presentation is required. The item will not be set up unless
the item has been submitted and you answer Yes to the question “Is this product on file with Gladson
Interactive?” on the new item form.
Additionally during major category updates you may be asked to submit existing items that have never
been captured by Gladson.
We are excited about the opportunity the Gladson OutpostTM provides Safeway as an additional option to
processing products through Gladson Interactive. Safeway counts on you to help us ensure that before
each item is presented to Safeway it is processed.
Product Images & Data
Schematic & safeway.com Images & Data
Gladson Interactive supplies safeway.com and Space Management (planograms) with product images &
data for ALL products. Suppliers are required to process ALL "New Items" and “updated products”
through Gladson Interactive. Suppliers may capture the samples through the Gladson Outpost or may
send one product sample of each item to Gladson Interactive directly.
Print Ad Images
Gladson Interactive samples and/or images will not be used for print advertising purposes. Separate
samples for advertised sizes and flavors should be provided to the Category Director at least 6 weeks
prior to the first ad date along with the following information:





Indicate if product is new or replacement packaging
UPC for new item and/or replacement item
Item description & size information
Suggested ad headline and body copy
Usage dates
Gladson Product Processing Instructions
Please review the following instructions and options available to process products through Gladson
Interactive. You may either process products through the Gladson Outpost or send the product directly to
Gladson Interactive.
Gladson OutpostTM Instructions (Preferred Method)
If you are not sending your items to Gladson Interactive directly you may personally process the products
through the Gladson OutpostTM. A person or box is not available at the Gladson OutpostTM for vendors to
drop products off directly. Instead, you as the vendor on your scheduled time will be contacting a
Gladson Remote Capture Technician remotely through the Gladson OutpostTM. The Gladson Remote
Capture Technician will guide you through processing your items via the Gladson OutpostTM system.
Allow approximately 5 minutes to process each product you plan to capture. Please follow instructions
below.
1 - Schedule a time
 You may schedule a time to process your items by calling 925-467-2109 or e-mailing
gg.receiving@safeway.com.
 Hours of operation are 8:00am until 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
2 - Go to the Safeway Golden Gate Facility on scheduled date & time
 The Safeway Golden Gate facility is located at 6511 Golden Gate Drive Dublin, Ca. 94568.
 Upon arrival you will be directed to the Gladson studio. When your turn, enter and follow the
posted instructions.
 You can either take your product with you when you leave or have it donated to a Safeway
charity.
Gladson Interactive Shipping Instructions
If you are not processing your items through the Gladson Outpost you may send them to Gladson
Interactive directly. Please follow instructions below.
1 - “Product Processing Request Form”
 Fill out the “Product Processing Request Form” below and attach with every shipment of
product. If form is not attached the products will not be processed.
2 - Ship Product
 Read over the “Additional Instructions” to determine how many samples are required and
instructions for shipping and packaging product.
Send Products To: Gladson Database Department
Attn: Safeway Project
1973 Ohio Street
Lisle, IL 60532
Additional Instructions
The following instructions illustrate how to ship products to the Gladson facility.
If the products are perishable:
 Ship perishable items on Mondays or Tuesdays to ensure products are received by the end of the
week.
 Package all products in dry ice for shipping.
 Write "PERISHABLE" on the outside of each box containing perishables.
If the products are breakable:
 Package all products in bubble wrap, peanuts, shredded paper, etc.
When to send or bring packaging with actual product:
 Product is visible through any type of packaging/container, or cut-out in packaging.
 All types of bags, soft containers, shrink wraps and outer wrapper sleeves.
When to send empty packaging:
 Packaging holds its shape without the product and the product is not visible.
 Boxes, bottles, cans, jugs where product is not visible.
 When shipping internationally is an issue
o
Note: It is preferred that actual product is sent with the products contents. Gladson Interactive can
then accurately record the total weight of the product. Total weight includes the weight of the
product packaging in addition to the products contents.
Nested and tray products:
 Nesting Items - Two samples of a nested product should be sent to ensure accurate nest
dimensions.
o

Note: Nested Items are individually sold items that sit inside one another (i.e. cooking bowls, bowls,
frozen pie shells, basket coffee filters). Gladson will capture nesting dimensions for items that
nest. If you are presenting nested items through the Gladson Outpost™ system or sending
products to Gladson Interactive it is required that two products be brought or sent so they can be
measured in their nested state.
Tray Packs - Tray packs should be submitted full and please note under "special instructions" if
both the tray and the single item are to be processed.
Product mock ups, sales samples, and for position only:
 Items must contain an accurate GTIN UPC or the sample will not be processed, unless
prerequested, in which case Gladson can provide a temporary UPC.
 Sales samples can be processed for Space Management purposes; however, full label detail will
only be captured at Gladson's discretion if product information appears to be complete.

If a product prototype is to be returned mark the return and shipping information on the data
request form. Gladson is not responsible for return of prototypes which are not properly marked
at the time of delivery to Gladson.
Items that will require up-charge:
 Private label, controlled label, warehouse club and promotional/seasonal items.
Item Returns:
 These items will not be returned to you unless otherwise indicated on the Request Form. Please
ensure that they are shipped in sturdy boxes to maintain product and packaging for imaging.
Questions:
 If you have any questions regarding this form or sending in product samples, please feel free to
contact Gladson's Customer Service Department. Gladson Interactive will answer any of your
questions including the status of your items being processed. You can also request a current item
list to check for updated packaging.
Contact: CustomerService@gladson.com
(630) 435-2200 or 800-538-9945
Business Hours: Monday through Friday -- 7:00 am to 5:00 pm CST
REQUEST FORM
*This form must be completed and included in EACH box delivered to our facility for capture*
Today's Date:________________________________________
Your Company Name: ________________________________
On Behalf of (Company Name): ___Safeway Inc________
Your Name: _____________________________________
E-Mail: _________________________________________
Phone #:_________________________________________
If a RUSH please select one: Do not rush products sent on behalf of Safeway unless approved.
□ 1 day □ 2 day □ 3 day □ 4 day □ 5 day
□ 6 day □ 7 day □ 8 day □ 9 day
(Normal turnaround time is specified in your contract. If you are requesting items to be expedited rush charges will be applied.)
PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING SERVICE(S) YOU ARE REQUESTING:
□
# of SKUs
□
SPACE MANAGEMENT
□
E-SERVICES
ARE ANY PRODUCTS ON-HOLD?
Yes (please list products on a separate sheet)
Release date for "On-holds"
*If no date is given UPCs will be released in 60 days*
□
No
ARE ANY PRODUCTS TO BE RETURNED?
□
IN-STORE
□
ADVERTISING
□
Fed-Ex
Acct#
□
DATA SYNC
□
Fed-Ex Ground
Acct#
□
PLANOGRAM
□
UPS
Acct#
Your shipping account number MUST be included if
items are to be returned.
□ Standard
Special Instructions:
Products are being sent for Safeway's E-Commerce & Space
Management (planograms) projects. Please process accordingly.
□ Priority
WHERE ARE RETURN PRODUCTS TO BE SHIPPED?
Address:
Attn:
Phone:
For Gladson Use Only:
Initials
#
Date
□ Overnight
Notes
Shipping & Receiving:
GEM:
Scheduling:
Photography:
Warehouse:
Gladson Database Department - 1973 Ohio Street - Lisle, IL. 60532 800-538-9945
www.gladson.com
Frequently asked Questions
You will still continue to provide new item samples with your new item paperwork to the Category Director

What information is captured through Gladson? Every product captured through Gladson Interactive
provides images and product information used by Safeway (Including SCOP & safeway.com).

Do we need to have the most updated product captured even though it is not a “New Item”? Yes.
Safeway is only as updated as your products last record with Gladson Interactive.

How do I know the status of my items with Gladson Interactive? Contact Gladson Interactive Customer
Service at 630-435-2200. Gladson Interactive will update you on the status of your items being
processed. You can also request a current item list to check for updated packaging.

Will items processed through the Gladson Outpost™ be available for safeway.com? Yes.

Are all perishable items included in this? Only items that are captured on schematics or sold at
safeway.com.
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Are Import Seasonal Items included? No, unless they are sold at safeway.com.

Are Gift Cards included? No.
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Are Books/Mags/Greeting Cards included? No.
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Are Store Supply no expense items included? No.
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Are Cosmetics included? Yes image and product information is required.
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Do we need items going thru Label Changes? Yes image and product information is required.

Do we need items going thru UPC Changes? Yes image and product information is required.
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Do we need items going thru Size Changes? Yes image and product information is required.
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Do we need Bonus Pack items? Yes image and product information is required.
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Items within a Display? Yes image and product information is required if everyday item.
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Are Corp Brands/Consumer Brands items included? Yes image and product information is required.

If the item is currently set-up in one division, does the process need to be repeated when the item is
accepted in other divisions? No. If an item is submitted for one division it will automatically be
available to all divisions. Although, if there is any updated packaging it needs to be updated with
Gladson Interactive.

When there are multiple selling configurations of an item, do both UPCs need to be captured (Example:
Cigarettes, consumer can buy the pack or the carton.)? Yes image and product information is
required.

OTBs that won’t go to the shelf or be part of a schematic? No.

If presenting a new item and I only have a sales sample, mock up or item flat what do I do? You will
need to submit the new item as soon as it is available, so the item can be captured via Gladson
interactive, set up and ordered.

Can we still mail samples to the Gladson Interactive studio? Yes.