About MSA Multicat Reporting… What you need to know

MULTICAT ™ is a file format used to report sales and inventory data to a third party service provider, namely Management Science Associates Inc.  As the name implies, Multicat enables the participant (distributor) to provide data for multiple categories. The data is gathered on a weekly basis and filed electronically by tobacco, candy, drinks, and grocery distributors to report sales and inventory floor count to brand manufacturers as part of a participation trade program. The trade programs vary between different brand manufacturers, but the report layout is the same. The MSA file is uploaded electronically directly to the MSAi reporting system which in turn passes the brand’s data to the manufacturers.

Benefits of MSA Reporting

Manufacturer Rebates and Incentives

Manufacturers of tobacco, candy, drinks, etc. offer distributors rebates for reaching sales quotas.  A quota is set by the manufacturer and is defined in the purchasing contract with the distributor.  In return, manufacturers are able to analyze their brand distribution data quickly and accurately.  Accurate marketing data saves costs and increases profits for manufacturing companies.

Retailer Rebates and Incentives

For reporting distributors, their customers (retailers) can enroll in trade programs and also receive rebates.  Retailers that do not buy merchandise from an MSA reporting distributor will be unable to enroll in trade programs, which gives extra reason for convenience stores to do business with you.

Disadvantages of MSA Reporting

Sales Data can be used in a Tax Audit 

The MSA reported data is sometimes used by state agencies to obtain access to your sales and compare it to past monthly filed taxes. You must be aware of this and be certain that there is not a significant difference in what is being reported to MSA and to your local government agencies.  A state can request MSAi data during an audit.