By Mike Wilkening, Communications Manager, ARC
With more detailed insights data than ever on how shoppers behave in a given market and store, it’s essential for retailers and brands to deliver a distinctly local shelf. So when it comes to planograms, one-size-fits-all doesn’t cut it anymore.
“The goal is to satisfy the customer demand the most in the most locations,” said Kent Rodina, director of merchandise presentation at O’Reilly Auto Parts and a Space Planning Community board member. “Behind that, supporting that, is really getting your inventory in the right spot at the right time across your network, optimizing your inventory dollar. I don’t have to have the bug-wash juice for washer fluid up in northern Minnesota. I can save the thousands and thousands of pallets of that SKU to put up in those stores. The same thing holds true with negative-32 degree washer fluid. I don’t need that much of that, if any of it, in southern Texas. That’s what your ultimate goal is, optimizing your inventory dollar while meeting your customer’s needs.”
That’s where planogram versioning technology can help.
Planogram versioning technology allows retailers and brands to manage and update multiple planograms in real-time, allowing for greater customized assortment and improved inventory management.
In this newest feature, The Space Planning Community gathered perspectives from solution providers and end-users to learn how planogram-versioning technology is currently being used. We also close with a localization strategy that involves a different approach to tech.
How it works
Planogram versioning technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to create accurate store-shelf schematics tailored to individual stores. Shelf-image capturing technology is utilized, either via store staff or robotic capabilities, to assess planogram accuracy through picture-to-planogram conversion. The technology affords a quicker view into what’s selling fast on shelf — and where gaps have arisen.
Solution providers in the space include:
- Nuqleous, with its ShelfIQ platform, which allows updating of thousands of planograms in a matter of seconds.
- RELEX, whose planogram automation software offers linkage into inventory replenishment schedules, among other features.
- Blue Yonder, who are market leaders in this technology.
- InContext, which uses 3D technology to help retailer and brands optimize planograms for better localized insights.
“The number one reason that clients come to us is they want a more visual tool to work inside of,” said Erin Feeney, Chief Product Officer & Managing Director, Platforms, at InContext. “Our platform will never replace Blue Yonder or Symphony planogramming tools. Our platforms [ShopperMX and SMX GO] and methodologies are complementary to planogramming software. It’s the elevation of that, being able to plug planograms into something much more visual.”
