The project examines the prospects of innovative e-commerce technologies for the automation and integration of supply chain processes that play a pivotal role in retailing. Emphasis is given in the process of procurement. The main aim of the project is the design and implementation of a business and technological e-business solution/platform focusing on the improvement and support of the communication and exchange processes between the collaborative parties of a business group or between chain stores (stressing the process of procurement between the headquarters, the stores and the warehouse). Apart from the design and evaluation of a prototype system, a pilot operation of the platform will also take place in real-life situations.Research issues that will be tackled during the project comprise: algorithms for stock replenishment, implementation of methods for stock estimation with the use of statistical and econometrical algorithms, full integration with ERP systems, RFQs management, and integration with methods of triangular markets etc.