Whilst Retailers & Suppliers invest heavily in Marketing campaigns in an effort to drive consumers to their products and stores, sales opportunities are often lost due to poor housekeeping standards at point of purchase.
To back up this statement the AMC/Strikeforce Merchandising field team identify and rectify an average of 5,800+ store level issues in Coles & Woolworths on an average monthly call cycle. These issues include, out of stocks, missing descriptive tickets, missing promotional tickets, promotional display non-compliance, rectifying incorrect stock on hand levels in auto ordering systems, rotating short coded stock on shelf & fixing graded ranging gaps. These issues if left to compound affect the consumer's ability to make purchase decisions during their shopping excursion.
Maintaining regular supplier call visits to stores both metro and regional and focusing on products being correctly ticketed, compliance of graded ranging, promotional compliance and stock on show ensures maximum ease of purchase and complete choice for consumers.
New Line speed to market is also a high priority for both retailers and suppliers however inefficiencies in the planning and implementation process at store level and Head Office often slow down the ability to be on shelf and available to consumers within the earliest possible timeframe.
Factors which slow down implementation include,
- Late notice that planograms have been released to store often after the event, suppliers and third party implementers are unable to book stores in advance which delays the planogram start date by another week.
- Confirm locked in planogram release date at least 2 weeks prior enabling suppliers to book stores from the date planogram is live.
- Enabling suppliers to book planogram implementation dates by store electronically would speed up the process by 1-2 weeks.
- Buyers often give store selection list to major suppliers to pick the stores they wish to implement, which delays and slows down go live dates.
- Larger stores often clear deleted lines in the first week of advice; however they often wait until the end of the 4 week clearance period before actioning the planogram therefore delaying the possible implementation by 3 - 5 weeks.
From the issues highlighted above it is evident that suppliers and third party merchandising services continue to have a role in adding value at store level and ensuring consumers shopping options are a priority.
About AMC/Strikeforce
AMC is one of Australia's leading merchandising service provider's with a field team of 500+ Representatives servicing all retail channels including Supermarkets, Mass merchants, auto, hardware, convenience, liquor, pharmacy and electrical . Nationally 98% store coverage supported by real time web based field reporting system ensures accountability, transparency and driving results.
For more information on how AMC/Strikeforce can add value to your store calls visit; www.strikeforcealliance.com.au or email mbartholomew@sfamc.com.au
