Archive for March, 2010
2010 Starts Off In Growth Mode for Retail Sector
Friday, March 26th, 2010Tweet Last week saw the retail sales results released by Statistics Canada and for the most part the news way quite good. Retail sales (excluding Automotive) were up 3.5% vs. January 2009 – a good start to the year. Seen through this lens, the results should mean a very good start to the sales year [...]
A Look Into a Unique Retail Model: GameStop
Thursday, March 25th, 2010Tweet Too often in this industry we get so focused on Food, Drug, Mass and Club channels that we forget that there are other retail models out there, which we can learn from and gain inspiration. I have to admit that I have passed by GameStop from time to time at my local shopping centre [...]
Measuring the Value of Retailer Brands
Thursday, March 18th, 2010Tweet Brands used to be the domain of the big CPG companies. Today, if you were to ask consumers about their favorite or most trusted brands, the answers will inevitably include brands such as Wal-mart, The Home Depot and Best Buy. Each year, Interbrand – an international branding consultancy evaluates the value of the largest [...]
What’s on the Mind of CPG / Retail Execs This Year?
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010Tweet Each year, the Consumer Goods Forum (formally CIES) conducts the “Top of Mind” survey of the top executives from retailers and suppliers in 46 countries around the world. The poll aims to uncover what these leaders feel will be the top issues facing the industry. In 2009, there was a clear shift from corporate [...]
Mac’s Expands PL Offering to Frozen Meals
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010Tweet Mac’s has long been an innovator in the North American c-store industry. As part of the rapidly expanding Couche Tard empire, which is the second largest Canadian based retailer – its innovation has normally stayed within the stereotypical c-store categories such as it’s Sloche / Froster drinks which are aimed at drawing in teenagers [...]
A Good Book to (Re)Read: “Why We Buy” – Paco Underhill
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Tweet As much of Canada starts moving into Spring Break, many of you will find yourself on the beach or with some extra time around the house this week. Maybe you are in search of a good book that will help you relax and also learn something that will help you in your role. You [...]
Big Merchandising in Small Supermarkets in Bangkok
Thursday, March 11th, 2010Tweet We have all heard it or said it before. “I would love to put something like that in my stores but I just don’t have the room”. Every Key Account Manager has had a “big idea” that died on the table with the uttering of that phrase. During this week’s trip to Bangkok, Thailand [...]
BOGO Later – An Idea Who’s Time Has Come
Friday, March 5th, 2010Tweet UK-based Tesco, the world’s fourth largest retailer is testing a unique promotional concept that seems to make a lot of sense to me. The concept, “Buy One Get One Later” (BOGOL) is aimed at reducing the amount of waste in fresh / perishable foods that is usually associated with the traditional “Buy One Get [...]
Fashionable Idea for Selling at Costco
Thursday, March 4th, 2010Tweet Costco can be a great environment to grow a brand through access to their members who have bigger families, more disposable income and a love for finding new products during their “treasure hunt” shopping trips. Finding the right recipe to properly expose your products in this warehouse environment can be a significant challenge. The [...]
