How to Categorize Products for GPA

Understanding GPA Product Categorization

GPA (Grupo Pao de Acucar) stands as one of the largest and most influential retail conglomerates in Latin America, operating multiple banner stores across Brazil including Pao de Acucar, Extra, and Assai. As a supplier or marketplace seller targeting the Brazilian consumer market, understanding how to properly categorize products within the GPA ecosystem is essential for successful retail partnerships and e-commerce visibility.

The GPA retail network encompasses diverse store formats ranging from premium supermarkets to hypermarkets and cash-and-carry wholesale operations. Each format serves distinct customer segments with different shopping behaviors and product expectations. The Pao de Acucar banner targets premium consumers seeking quality and convenience, while Extra serves middle-market families with broader assortments, and Assai focuses on small business owners and bulk purchasers. Understanding these distinctions is crucial because product categorization often varies between formats to match customer browsing patterns and merchandising strategies.

Product taxonomy within the GPA system follows Brazilian retail conventions while incorporating international category management standards. The hierarchy typically flows from broad departments like Mercearia (Grocery), Bebidas (Beverages), Higiene e Beleza (Health and Beauty), and Limpeza (Cleaning Products) down through increasingly specific subcategories. This structure reflects how Brazilian consumers shop and how stores are physically organized, making accurate categorization essential for both digital and physical retail success within the GPA network.

Our AI-powered categorization system has been specifically trained on Brazilian retail taxonomy patterns and Portuguese-language product descriptions. The machine learning models understand regional product naming conventions, local brand recognition, and the unique category structures used by major Brazilian retailers including GPA. Whether you're categorizing imported goods for the Brazilian market or domestic products from local manufacturers, our system delivers accurate classifications that align with GPA's merchandising requirements and consumer expectations.

GPA Category Taxonomy Structure

The GPA taxonomy system reflects the organization of Brazil's leading retail formats, structured to match how Brazilian consumers navigate supermarkets, hypermarkets, and wholesale stores. Understanding this hierarchical structure is essential for optimal product placement and visibility across the GPA retail network.

Primary departments in the GPA system include Mercearia (shelf-stable groceries), Bebidas (beverages including soft drinks, juices, and alcoholic beverages), Frios e Laticínios (dairy and chilled products), Congelados (frozen foods), Hortifruti (fresh produce), Padaria (bakery), Açougue (butcher/meat), Peixaria (seafood), Higiene e Beleza (personal care), Limpeza (household cleaning), and Bazar (general merchandise). Each department contains multiple category levels that reflect product attributes, usage occasions, and brand positioning strategies specific to the Brazilian market.

Key GPA Product Categories

Within each primary department, products are further organized by type, brand tier, package size, and usage occasion. For example, Bebidas (Beverages) subdivides into Refrigerantes (Soft Drinks), Sucos (Juices), Águas (Waters), Cervejas (Beers), Vinhos (Wines), and Destilados (Spirits), each with additional classification layers. This granular taxonomy ensures products appear in the correct location both on store shelves and in digital channels, maximizing visibility to target consumers and supporting efficient inventory management across the GPA retail network.

API Integration Guide

Integrating our GPA categorization API into your application is straightforward. We provide RESTful endpoints that accept product information in Portuguese or English and return detailed categorization results including category paths, confidence scores, and alternative classifications optimized for the Brazilian retail market.

import requests

def categorize_for_gpa(product_description, api_key):
    """
    Categorize a product for the GPA retail network.
    Supports Portuguese and English product descriptions.
    """
    base_url = "https://www.productcategorization.com/api/ecommerce/ecommerce_category6_get.php"
    params = {
        "query": product_description,
        "api_key": api_key,
        "data_type": "gpa"
    }
    response = requests.get(base_url, params=params)
    return response.json()

# Example: Categorizing a Brazilian food product
result = categorize_for_gpa(
    "Café Torrado e Moído Extra Forte 500g Pilão",
    "your_api_key_here"
)
print(f"GPA Category: {result['category']}")
print(f"Department: {result['department']}")

async function categorizeForGPA(productDescription, apiKey) {
    const baseUrl = 'https://www.productcategorization.com/api/ecommerce/ecommerce_category6_get.php';
    const params = new URLSearchParams({
        query: productDescription,
        api_key: apiKey,
        data_type: 'gpa'
    });

    const response = await fetch(`${baseUrl}?${params}`);
    return response.json();
}

// Example: Categorizing a household product
categorizeForGPA(
    'Detergente Líquido Lava Louças Neutro 500ml Ype',
    'your_api_key'
).then(result => {
    console.log('Category:', result.category);
    console.log('Subcategory:', result.subcategory);
});

curl -X GET "https://www.productcategorization.com/api/ecommerce/ecommerce_category6_get.php" \
  -d "query=Leite Integral UHT 1 Litro Parmalat" \
  -d "api_key=your_api_key_here" \
  -d "data_type=gpa"