Kroger IMF Number - Item Maintenance Form

[CommunityJedi22]

Customers working to synchronize content with Kroger sometimes ask questions about the "IMF" for Kroger.  The IMF (Item Maintenance Form) is a Kroger-generated number and is assigned to the information provider hierarchy once the item is successfully submitted to the item category manager.

The IMF appears in the Comments section of your Item in the Kroger VIP Portal.  From the home screen, click Products >> All Products to see all items in your catalog regardless of status. Select one and click on one of the GTINs in the hierarchy. The Kroger Hierarchy Screen will appear. When looking to the left you will to see "Comments."

[sarges]

I have entered a new item into 1WS, it was accepted and Verified.

What is the next step? should I publish it? we need the IMF # for Kroger

[RenaeB]

Hello @sarges, 

Welcome to the 1WS Kroger Community! I've examined your new GTIN, and I've identified a few steps that still need to be completed before syncing to Kroger VIP, logging in for the top-off, and final submission.

I suggest verifying with your Kroger Category Manager regarding the specific requirements for your submission creation. Currently, you only have an EACH, but Kroger's submission method requires a Case-Each hierarchy.

To address this, I recommend constructing your CASE GTIN by cloning your EACH. Make sure your indicators match the image below.

Here is a link detailing the process of cloning, linking, and confirming your hierarchy.

• Item Management Quick Sheets - 1WorldSync Customer Community

After completing and validating the aforementioned steps, kindly utilize the link below to familiarize yourself with our Kroger training process. This includes syncing to Kroger VIP, performing a top-off, and completing the final submission to receive your IMF.

• Kroger Training - 1WorldSync Customer Community

Should you have additional inquiries, don't hesitate to contact us within the 1WS Kroger Community.

Appreciate your participation in the 1WS Kroger Community!

[Claires_JaneH]

Hello - I do see where I can find IMFs for each individual item.  But is there a way that I can download all IMFs for items set up in the past year or so?  Thank you!  

[jcharles]

@Claires_JaneH 

Hello Claires,

We cannot do this in Product Introduction because we do not have a filter that can allow that. I would reach out to Kroger to see if they have an option on the Kroger side that can provide this for you.

Thank you!

[Frothy_Monkey]

Hi, I am still having a hard time finding our IMF#s based on the instructions above.I am logged into pre-production. Is that the correct spot to be looking? I clicked on one of our items but don't see a "comment" section anywhere. Thanks!

[jcharles]

@Frothy_Monkey ,

Welcome back to our online community! I pulled up an item from Production, preproduction will not have those IMF, preproduction is the testing environment. Have you been working with a Kroger representative to set IMF for you?

[Frothy_Monkey]

Hi - I have been working with Chris Cagney over at Kroger. They said they can't see my submitted items, as I submitted to the corporate office instead of regional. maybe if you can help me figure out how to re-submit to the regional office that will solve my problems? Or do I need them to go in and assign me the IMF#s?

[RenaeB]

Hello @Frothy_Monkey, 

Welcome to the 1WS Kroger Community!

After reviewing your GTINs, I noticed that they are currently in the "In-Process - Supplier" status, indicating that corrections are needed before an IMF can be assigned.

Additionally, it appears that Kroger top-off and hierarchy tasks have not been completed for your GTINs.

To assist you in completing these tasks, I recommend reviewing the Kroger Training Videos, which provide valuable guidance.

• 101 Basic - How to Log Into Product Introduction from Item Management
• 101 Basic - Hierarchy Level Data in Product Introduction for Kroger
• 101 Basic - Item Level Data in Product Introduction for Kroger
• 101 Basic - Submit and Confirm Comments in Product Introduction for Kroger

Furthermore, we have a Kroger Workshop scheduled for June 26th, and you are welcome to sign up for it to gain further insights and assistance.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions after watching the videos.

We appreciate your participation in the 1WS Kroger Community!

[Frothy_Monkey]

@jcharles thanks! I have gone in and fixed some errors in production in order to try and push it to validate, and then hoping I get the IMF # in the comments? My kroger rep is Chris Cagney...so would I ask him to load those IMF#s once the items are succesfully validated?

Thanks!

[ana_neamtu]

Hello @Frothy_Monkey,

Welcome back to the Community!

Your Category Manager should be able to see the items and work on generating the IMF # for them if they have been validated and submitted and are showing up under the In Process - Retailer queue. You can always follow up with your rep to ensure the items are visible on their side.

I hope this helps and please let us know if you have any questions.

[Frothy_Monkey]

Does it take awhile for items to show as completed in my worklist if I've gone through and fixed the errors? Because I don't see a refresh button, but tried logging out and logging back in and it appears the errors I just fixed are still showing up.

[RenaeB]

Hello @Frothy_Monkey, 

To update the errors/warnings in your worklist, you need to log back into Kroger VIP, complete the required updates, and resubmit your GTINs to Kroger.

Your errors/warnings will clear on the Item Management side only after the updates have been successfully submitted to Kroger and an IMF has been assigned.

Currently, all GTINs are marked as In Process - Supplier in Kroger VIP and are awaiting final submission.

[josejaramillo]

[ana_neamtu]

Hello @josejaramillo,

Thank you for utilizing our customer community. Welcome!

We noticed your reply and wanted to check if there are any questions we can help with at this time. Please don't hesitate to let us know. 

Thank you

[imeldae]

Hello, I am being asked for the status of 3 IMF's. How can I tell if they were accepted or processed? 

IMF#2617461 , 2565665 and 2615310

[RenaeB]

Hello @imeldae, 

Welcome to the 1WS Kroger Community!

Once your item has been assigned an IMF, it means it has been approved through Kroger's process.

To check the status, please share your IMFs with your Kroger Category Manager and inquire about the status.

If you have any further questions, we’re here to help!

Thank you for being a part of the 1WS Kroger Community!

[imeldae]

Hello, I am having trouble initiating an IMF for our item 40203 in Krogers portal. How do I create an IMF with an existing item?

Quarter 1 Themes for Division Shipper Program will be:

• Period 1: Winter, Valentine’s Day - 2/14/25, Super Bowl - 2/9/25
• Period 2: Spring, Ramadan, Lent
• Period 3: Lent, Passover, Spring, Easter - 4/20/25
• Period 4: Summer, Memorial Day - 5/25/25, Cinco De Mayo – 5/5/25

[imeldae]

What triggers an IMF creation with an existing item?

[RenaeB]

Hello @imeldae 

Welcome to the 1WS Kroger Community!

To initiate an IMF, select a Kroger Item Submission Reason Code.

For your submission, please choose "NEW ITEM" as the reason code.

[imeldae]

RenaeB thank you so much. If there is a time frame for this price to start will I need to change the date or do I leave that? 

[RenaeB]

Hello @imeldae, 

Simply submit your item—Kroger will handle any price or date updates.

Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions!

[tging1]

I published 3 products on 1WS on Item management, does that crossover to Kroger VIP or do I have to put everything in Kroger VIP? If it does crossover once Kroger approves, how long does it take? Does Kroger VIP the way to generate an IMF?

[RenaeB]

Hello @tging1,

Welcome to the 1WS Community!

After syncing your data/items from Item Management to Kroger, they will be processed and appear in Kroger VIP under "Ready to List" during the next 15-minute interval.

Once your items are available in Kroger VIP, you'll find them in the "Ready to List" section. From there, you'll need to complete the required Kroger top-off attributes and hierarchy section to validate and finalize the items.

I recommend checking out the step-by-step Kroger Training videos available in the 1WS Kroger Community.

You can also sign up for the 1WS Kroger Workshop Webinar at no cost!

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out!

[mwontz]

is it possible to update an existing IMF without creating a new one? There was an error when inputting the distribution method (was entered as warehouse but should be DSD). The applicable Kroger Event Code is not longer available in the drop down.