Retail Technology
| Log in | Subscribe



Subscribe | Log in
Retail Technology
Subscribe

Regional retailer extends supply chain investment to space planning to meet needs of local communities

Regional retailer extends supply chain investment to space planning to meet needs of local communities

 

Midlands Co-operative, one of the largest independent retailers in the UK, has extended its investment to optimise its product assortment and retail space for each of its 192 food stores.

 

The co-operative will use software from existing retail and distribution provider Aldata (which was recently acquired by private equity technology group Symphony) to ensure store layouts and inventory meet the demands of local shoppers.

 

Maximising convenience value

 

“Community is enormously important to us, so it is vital that we reflect those product needs locally,” said Mark Ruttley, Midlands Co-operative information solutions general manager. “Space in convenience stores has to be optimised, and it will make it easier to make the most of our merchandisable space.”

 

Midlands Co-operative has invested in Aldata’s merchandising and category management software for store planning, shelf planning and planogram automation, which -- when used in conjunction with the provider's G.O.L.D. supply chain and store replenishment systems -- will enable the retailer to match product ordering to the dimensions of both the store and the individual shelves, driving better availability and shopper satisfaction.

 

Meeting local shopper demands

 

“We will be able to drive a two-way dialogue between central services, communicating assortment, promotions and layouts, and the stores who can quickly escalate any issues with compliance,” continued Ruttley.

 

“While we have always been there for the Midlands community, we now have the technology to move to a more shopper-driven, rather than supply-driven retail model. Convenience shopping is very competitive and all stores need to meet the demands for ‘top up’ shopping by having the understanding and technology to stock a core set of products with the flexibility to meet local variations.”