East of England Co-op taps RELEX Space for Category Management to boost shelf space allocation processes

RELEX Solutions is laying claim to a new approach to category reviews with RELEX Space for Category Management. Built within a cloud native interface, this enables retailers to optimise merchandising plans to deliver the right products at the right time and place.

Automating and optimising planogram updates using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), this reduces time-consuming manual processes and enables retailers to reflect current sales trends, customer preferences, and seasonal variations.

RELEX Space for Category Management also fosters cross-functional collaboration, allowing supply chain and merchandising teams to plan and develop the category management strategy, and make decisions seamlessly.  

“Retailers often struggle with the sheer volume of sales, inventory, and customer behaviour data required for effective category management and space planning. Couple that with needing to determine optimal shelf space allocation for each category to maximise sales and profitability, and you have a complex challenge to solve," says Tommi Ylinen, Chief Product Officer at RELEX Solutions.

“Our new capabilities address these challenges through a unified approach, which helps to improve inventory and on-shelf availability through data driven decision-making, while boosting sales and meeting consumer demand.”  

RELEX Space for Category Management also integrates with the RELEX forecasting and replenishment solutions. By integrating the forecasting, replenishment, assortment, and space management functions, data can be shared and updated in near real-time, ensuring inventory levels are optimised and shelf space allocation aligns with demand forecasts.

“We are very happy with the new capabilities being announced today, aimed at optimising retail space and product assortments more effectively," says Andy Rigby, Chief Operating Officer, East of England Co-op.

“New innovations like the safe 'sandbox' environment for testing new planograms and the ability to manage multiple simultaneous category or location reviews give us greater flexibility and control. These features enable us to develop more precise and tailored category management strategies, supporting our goal of improving sales and customer satisfaction.” 

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

AI and ML will be key focus areas at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.