Convenience in Ireland has always been popular with Irish consumers, maybe it’s due to our past and the link with the ‘corner shop’ or maybe it’s due to the vast array of very well developed convenience formats in Ireland, either way its here to stay and back in growth. As with other channels the big players are getting bigger and expanding (Leading operators like Centra and Spar continue to add … [Read more...]
What is Category Management?
Back in the early 90’s a process was developed to help retailers and suppliers manage the category management process, many retailers and manufacturers refined the process for speedier strategy/opportunity fulfillment, smoother execution, and more robust results. A ninth step was added (nowadays forgotten about) called the readiness stage i.e. is the company ready for the process, does it have the … [Read more...]
Shelfstock supports Feeding Ireland’s Future Initiative
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, in collaboration with Efficient Consumer Approach Ireland (ECR), launched the fifth annual Feeding Ireland’s Future Initiative (FIF), which will run from 21st May until 1st June. Some 20 leading companies are participating in FIF 2018 including Shelfstock, which will provide young jobseekers with practical help and advice on developing … [Read more...]
What makes a great store layout?
What's truly happening in retail shopping aisles? There have been many studies conducted on consumer behaviour particularly when it comes to what motivates shoppers to buy into a particular brand or why they choose a particular retail format or store, but what motivates customers while they are in-store? After spending many years working for a number of different retailers from Supermarkets … [Read more...]
Are forecourts of the future doomed?
After spending many years in forecourt retailing and having being part of the original team who brought forecourt retailing to a new height back in the days of the Statoil fairplay brand in Ireland I've kept a close eye on it's changes over the years The move from fuel to food and quality coffee was inevitable With shrinking margins on fuel, the need to bolster profits with food has long being a … [Read more...]
The science that makes us spend more in supermarkets, and feel good while we do it
When you walk into a supermarket, you probably want to spend as little money as possible. The supermarket wants you to spend as much money as possible. Let battle commence. As you enter the store your senses come under assault. You will often find that fresh produce (fruit, vegetables, flowers) is the first thing you see. The vibrant colours put you in a good mood, and the happier you are the … [Read more...]
Category Management for Dummies
I often get asked to explain how category management works and why is it so complicated and drawn out, but in fact it doesn't need to be and when you understand what the key elements are, its actually not that complicated at all! So how does category management differ from any other business process? Well in most cases it doesn't, that is, if your objective is to drive sales and you … [Read more...]
What are the barriers of implementing Cat Man?
Why should companies implement Category Management into their businesses? Cat Man is ideally suited to maximising sales and profitability for both retailer & supplier while ensuring the customer/shopper has a better shopping experience. This can be achieved by following the Cat Man process i.e. the 8 step process So its main purpose is to satisfy more customers/shoppers at the point of … [Read more...]
Where would retailers be without their Category Captains?
Where would retailers be without their category captains? depending on who you speak to, the answers would be "couldn't cope without them" to "don't need them, waste of time." 'The category captain will be expected to have the closest and most regular contact with the retailer and will also be expected to invest time, effort, and often financial assets into the strategic development of the … [Read more...]
What do Category Managers do?
What does a category manager do? A question no doubt many companies have asked when trying to justify a budget to hire one... Simply put the category manager is ultimately responsible for what the shopper sees at the fixture and I’m not just talking about the planogram (shelf layout) its everything that the shoppers sees at the fixture and even some of the things on the way to the fixture. … [Read more...]