Convenience store chain Co-op has detailed the first stage of its Retail Business Transformation programme (RBT)
Launched this week with suppliers, the system pilot will support Co-op’s ambitious growth strategy, introducing new SAP technology to improve ranging, stock holding, availability, and more accurate forecasting information.
In addition, a new cloud-based Supplier Collaboration portal – Co-op Connect – is also in place.
The retailer is deploying SAP’s Retail ECC Suite on HANA; an integrated business process and data management platform that will deliver a single, real-time, consistent process-centric view across retail operations.
This will enable improved ranging, stock visibility and optimised stock levels to ensure availability of the right product in stores to meet customer demand.
Customer demand
It will also help to better understand customer demand, to facilitate better price and promotion decisions to the benefit of the customer and the business.
The systems are being tested in 24 stores, across five categories with 15 suppliers and c300 SKUs.
Categories being trialed are soft drinks, salads, paper, pizza and salad, working with suppliers including Coca Cola and Heineken.
Michael Fletcher, Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op, said: “The RBT programme is an integral part of Co-op’s on-going success, as we look to ensure that the technology we are using will future proof the business for many years to come. This pilot will allow us to work with suppliers to ensure that it is working perfectly before we roll it out elsewhere, and we are already getting positive feedback that the new portal is faster and easier to navigate.”
