Retail space planning firm CADS sees tech as solution to Easter and other seasonal challenges in 2024
With 2024 well underway, sales have hit the shelves following extensive planning conducted by most retailers last summer.
But, with Easter and other seasonal changes already firmly in their diaries, retailers can get ahead of competitors by embracing technology to support their planning.
So says retail space planning specialist CADS, who believes companies can overcome challenges and boost sales by using software solutions to help plan and implement their seasonal layouts.
“Seasonal ranges such as Easter are pivotal to sales but accommodating them can be tricky. Technology gives retailers the best opportunity of success when tackling the biggest challenge - where and how to lay out their stores and displays,” says Richard Burford, Customer Success Specialist at CADS.
The retail industry typically splits the challenge into macro and micro planning, with macro space detailing the location of product categories and the equipment which displays them.
“Seasonal changes can disrupt customer flow around the store and retailers may need to relocate core categories, reconsider adjacencies and adjust aisles or shelving. Modern software enables them to make data-driven decisions and evaluate potential layouts before making changes,” adds Burford.
Micro space planning focuses on placing the right assortment of products on each individual shelf or display.
“Retailers need to anticipate increased traffic and inventory density, not least to avoid the risk of over or understocking. Planogram software can help retailers make the best choices to catch the customer’s eye, increase spend on related products and satisfy demand,” states Burford.
CADS recommends using the latest generation of technology to combine both macro and micro space planning and believes this approach can also help address a number of other challenges.
One of these challenges is providing the staff who handle seasonal ranges with additional product knowledge, customer engagement strategies and familiarity with any technology used in displays.
“Utilising tools like StoreSpace for planning and implementing seasonal range changes helps retailers get ahead of their competitors. Information and analytics enable better data driven decisions, particular when seamlessly integrated with planogram software.”
StoreSpace is CADS’ macro space planning technology which provides retailers with the tools to optimise and plan their category space. In addition, it can be integrated with micro space planning technology.
StoreSpace also eases the operational delivery of new plans, by improving the workflow from product selection, to identifying the correct in-store location and providing straight-forward instructions for the store’s team to follow.
“Retail is all about customer experience, inventory management and gaining a competitive advantage. Embracing technology sooner and more comprehensively than other retailers is already becoming a sign of success on the UK high street, especially when it comes to seasonal ranges,” concludes Burford.
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