Your Checklist to Get Products on Canadian Retail Shelves
The step-by-step guide trusted by 8,000+ suppliers to seamlessly meet trading partner requirements from a single, trusted source.
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ECCnet Registry: Trusted by Suppliers trading through and to Canadian Partners.
Selling to Your Trading Partner
Grocery/Retail
Required: To sell to your trading partner, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that your trading partner requires.
These services help you meet your trading partner's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Selling to Sobeys
Grocery
Required: To sell to Sobeys, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that Sobeys requires.
Sobeys Supplier Portal
For vendor onboarding and order management, contact Sobeys directly.
Supplier Portal (External link opens in new tab.)SobeysPAL@sobeys.com
Recommended Services for Sobeys
Nutritional Content
Meet Health Canada requirements.
100% accurate bilingual nutritional info, allergens and certifications.
Ecommerce Content
Increase online conversion rates.
Professional-quality images and bilingual product data for online sales.
New Item Setup
Get products to market 40% faster.
Streamlines the product listing process for all trading partners.
These services help you meet Sobeys's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Selling to Loblaw Companies
Grocery
Required: To sell to Loblaw Companies, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that Loblaw Companies requires.
Loblaw Companies Supplier Portal
For vendor onboarding and order management, contact Loblaw Companies directly.
Supplier Portal (External link opens in new tab.)vendorcomm@loblaw.ca
Recommended Services for Loblaw Companies
Planogram Content
Optimize shelf placement.
Standardized images and precise dimensions for shelf planning.
Marketing Content
Accelerate marketing campaigns.
Standardized bilingual images for advertising flyers and collateral.
Ecommerce Content
Increase online conversion rates.
Professional-quality images and bilingual product data for online sales.
These services help you meet Loblaw Companies's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Selling to Metro
Grocery
Required: To sell to Metro, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that Metro requires.
Metro Supplier Portal
For vendor onboarding and order management, contact Metro directly.
Supplier Portal (External link opens in new tab.)innovation@metro.ca
Recommended Services for Metro
Ecommerce Content
Increase online conversion rates.
Professional-quality images and bilingual product data for online sales.
Nutritional Content
Meet Health Canada requirements.
100% accurate bilingual nutritional info, allergens and certifications.
Planogram Content
Optimize shelf placement.
Standardized images and precise dimensions for shelf planning.
These services help you meet Metro's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Selling to Whole Foods Market
Grocery
Required: To sell to Whole Foods Market, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that Whole Foods Market requires.
Whole Foods Market Supplier Portal
For vendor onboarding and order management, contact Whole Foods Market directly.
Supplier Portal (External link opens in new tab.)Recommended Services for Whole Foods Market
Planogram Content
Optimize shelf placement.
Standardized images and precise dimensions for shelf planning.
Marketing Content
Accelerate marketing campaigns.
Standardized bilingual images for advertising flyers and collateral.
New Item Setup
Get products to market 40% faster.
Streamlines the product listing process for all trading partners.
These services help you meet Whole Foods Market's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Selling to Walmart Canada
Mass Merchant
Required: To sell to Walmart Canada, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that Walmart Canada requires.
Walmart Canada Supplier Portal
For vendor onboarding and order management, contact Walmart Canada directly.
Supplier Portal (External link opens in new tab.)Recommended Services for Walmart Canada
New Item Setup
Get products to market 40% faster.
Streamlines the product listing process for all trading partners.
Ecommerce Content
Increase online conversion rates.
Professional-quality images and bilingual product data for online sales.
Planogram Content
Optimize shelf placement.
Standardized images and precise dimensions for shelf planning.
These services help you meet Walmart Canada's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Selling to Costco Canada
Warehouse Club
Required: To sell to Costco Canada, you must select the Retail Trading Partner Services Bundle. This ensures all required images and data content are captured.
For Product Data and Images
GS1 Canada provides the standardized product data and images that Costco Canada requires.
Costco Canada Supplier Portal
For vendor onboarding and order management, contact Costco Canada directly.
Supplier Portal (External link opens in new tab.)Recommended Services for Costco Canada
New Item Setup
Get products to market 40% faster.
Streamlines the product listing process for all trading partners.
Nutritional Content
Meet Health Canada requirements.
100% accurate bilingual nutritional info, allergens and certifications.
Recall
Protect your brand reputation.
Web-based communication service for product recalls and withdrawals.
These services help you meet Costco Canada's specific requirements faster. View all ECCnet solutions.
Step 1:Subscribe and Get Your GS1 License
Your GS1 license is the foundation for selling to Canadian retailers. It gives you the globally recognized product identifiers (GTINs) that every trading partner requires for listing, scanning, and tracking your products.
Depending on your needs, you'll receive either a Company Prefix (for multiple products) or an individual GTIN license (for a single product). Pricing is based on company size.
As a subscriber, you get access to tools that help you manage your product identifiers and meet trading partner requirements:
- myGS1 Portal — Your central hub to manage your GS1 Canada subscription, access all tools, and view your account details.
- Manage My GTINs (MMG) — Create and manage your GTINs, generate barcodes, and track your product identifiers — all in one tool.
- Manage My GLNs — Create and share Global Location Numbers for supply chain visibility.
- Barcode Scan Verification — A separate service to verify your barcodes scan correctly at retail point of sale (available as add-on).
- Product Recall — Distribute recall notifications quickly (included for businesses under $5M).
- Educational Resources — Access bilingual training videos and support resources.
Small Business?
GS1 Canada offers exclusive pricing and bundles for businesses with annual revenue under $1M.
Contact info@gs1ca.org or visit the Small Business page for details.
Step 2:Create Your GTINs
Each unique product needs its own GTIN — that includes every different size, flavour, format, or packaging variation. Use the Manage My GTINs (MMG) tool to create and manage your GTINs and generate barcodes.
Example: A 500mL and 1L bottle of the same juice each require their own GTIN.Access Manage My GTINs (Login is required. Document link opens in new tab.)
Small Business?
GTIN Management Standard: Follow the global rules for assigning, maintaining, and retiring GTINs.
Barcode Scan Verification
Avoid costly packaging reprints — verify your barcodes scan correctly at retail POS before wide-scale production. Available as a separate service.
Learn more- Create a GTIN for each unique product (every size, flavour, format, and case pack).
- Generate high-resolution barcodes directly within MMG.
- Future-ready: GS1 Canada supports 2D barcodes (QR codes with GS1 Digital Link) — one scan unlocks traceability, consumer engagement, and regulatory data.
Step 3:Load and Publish Product Data
Register for the ECCnet Registry (NIS) and use ProSYNC to load your product data. This is the foundation that all your trading partner content builds upon — your product data must be loaded and published before images and certified content can be shared.
Important: Trading partners cannot view or access your product data until you publish it in ProSYNC. Unpublished products will not appear in retailer systems.
Access ProSYNC (Login is required. Document link opens in new tab.)
- Register for ECCnet Registry (NIS) / ProSYNC access.
- Log in to myGS1 → Click ProSYNC under My Tools.
- Select Add-New → Enter your NIS product data.
- Save, approve, and publish to trading partners.
Step 4:Register, Capture and Certify ContentRegister, Capture and Certify ContentRegister, Capture and Certify ContentRegister, Capture and Certify ContentRegister and Capture
Publishing your product data (Step 3) gets you listed — but new item setup alone is not enough. Trading partners require standardized images, nutritional data, and certified content to actually shelve, market, and sell your products online. That's what these bundles deliver.
1. Select and Register
Choose your bundle and register (fees apply).
2. Submit and Capture
Ship products for professional image and data capture.
3. Certify
Review and certify so partners can access your content.
Publishing your product data (Step 3) gets you listed — but new item setup alone is not enough. Trading partners require standardized images, nutritional data, and certified content to actually shelve, market, and sell your products online. That's what these bundles deliver.
1. Select and Register
Choose your bundle and register (fees apply).
2. Submit and Capture
Ship products for professional image and data capture.
3. Certify
Review and certify so partners can access your content.
Publishing your product data (Step 3) gets you listed — but new item setup alone is not enough. Trading partners require standardized images, nutritional data, and certified content to actually shelve, market, and sell your products online. That's what these bundles deliver.
1. Select and Register
Choose your bundle and register (fees apply).
2. Submit and Capture
Ship products for professional image and data capture.
3. Certify
Review and certify so partners can access your content.
Publishing your product data (Step 3) gets you listed — but new item setup alone is not enough. Trading partners require standardized images, nutritional data, and certified content to actually shelve, market, and sell your products online. That's what these bundles deliver.
1. Select and Register
Choose your bundle and register (fees apply).
2. Submit and Capture
Ship products for professional image and data capture.
3. Certify
Review and certify so partners can access your content.
Publishing your product data (Step 3) gets you listed — but new item setup alone is not enough. Whole Foods requires standardized images and content to actually shelve, market and sell your products online. That's what these bundles deliver.
1. Select and Register
Choose your bundle and register (fees apply).
2. Submit and Capture
Ship products for professional image and data capture.
Learn about Content Capture1-800-567-7084
Choose Your Trading Partner Bundle
GS1 Canada groups its content services into economical bundles so your products have everything trading partners need — planogram data, marketing images, nutritional content, and eCommerce assets.
Why Bundles Matter
Retailers don't just need your product listed — they need certified images for shelf planograms, bilingual nutritional data for compliance, marketing content for flyers, and standardized eCommerce assets. Bundles ensure you meet all requirements in one step.
Retail Services
Most suppliers selling to major Canadian retailers.
eCommerce Services
Suppliers with current planogram and marketing content needing online coverage.
Retail and Foodservice
Suppliers selling through both retail and foodservice distributors.
Small business? Exclusive bundles available for businesses under $1M. Learn more →
- Fill out the Product Submission Form for your chosen bundle.
- Ship physical product samples to the GS1 Canada Images office.
- GS1 Canada captures all images and data using standardized, two-pass validated processes.
- Review and certify your content before it's shared with trading partners.
About Your Samples
After capture, food items are donated to food banks and various non-profit foundations. Product return is available for a fee — request it on the submission form.
Self-submitted Data is Not Accepted
GS1 Canada standardizes all on-package data and images with a two-pass validation process to ensure data integrity across the industry.
Step 5 (Optional):Upload Enhanced Assets
Go beyond standard content by uploading lifestyle images, videos, and rich marketing assets to strengthen your digital presence. Enhanced Assets help your products stand out on retailer websites, online marketplaces, and digital ordering platforms.
Sign-up required: You must register for the Enhanced Assets service before uploading content.
After You're Set Up: Keep Your Data Current
Essential tools for managing your products throughout their lifecycle.
TrueSource™ Dashboard
Monitor content readiness, data quality scores, and trading partner requirements — your command centre.
Manage GTINs
Update product details, discontinue items, and maintain your GTIN portfolio as your catalogue evolves.
Update Contacts
Keep your business contacts current so you never miss important communications from trading partners.
The Vault
Access and review your certified product data and images shared with trading partners.
2D Barcodes
Future-proof your products with QR codes powered by GS1 Digital Link for traceability and consumer engagement.
ECCnet Recall
Fast, standardized product recall and withdrawal notifications used across the industry.
Resources and Support
Training, tools, and help when you need it.
Education Portal
Video tutorials and training modulesWebinars and Events
Live training sessionsSmall Business
Tailored resources and pricingHelp Library (Login is required. Document link opens in new tab.)
FAQs and documentationFrequently Asked Questions
The typical timeline is 2-4 weeks for basic product data setup, plus additional time for image and data capture and content certification. Many suppliers complete the full process within 30 days. The timeline depends on how quickly you can gather your product information and submit products for capture.
A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the unique identifier for your product that appears as a barcode. It's required by all major Canadian retailers to track products through the supply chain and at point of sale. Each unique product variation (size, flavour, format) needs its own GTIN.
GS1 Canada's ECCnet Registry connects you to major Canadian retailers including Sobeys, Loblaw, Metro, Walmart Canada, Costco, and many more grocery, foodservice, and healthcare trading partners. Once your data is published, it becomes accessible to all connected partners simultaneously.
Yes, most trading partners require standardized product images and data for their planograms, eCommerce platforms, and nutritional databases. GS1 Canada's ECCnet IMS services capture both images and data together, ensuring your products meet all retailer specifications across every channel.
GS1 Canada offers tiered pricing based on company size. Small businesses with fewer than 10 GTINs have special pricing options, and there are dedicated small business bundles for suppliers with annual revenue under $1M. Contact info@gs1ca.org for details.