Our Expertise
The Perishables Group expertise is serving as a strategic resource partner to set new standards in the evolving perishables industry. We create innovative market strategies, structures, systems and processes from our knowledge in the following areas:
- Organizational assessment
- Technology review
- Strategic planning
- Category best practices program development
- Marketing program development
- Category management/development programs
- Trade/Customer partnering
- Integrated go-to-market program development
The Rules Have Changed
The perishables business is changing as the food industry moves toward a consumer-driven model. Retailers are consolidating. Businesses are sourcing globally. Category items are proliferating. Consumers are better educated.
A New Business Model
Moving to a consumer-driven model requires fundamental changes in the way the perishables industry does business, including new strategies, structures, systems and processes. Inherent in this new model is the need to:
- Create value from the consumer's perspective
- Identify category development strategies
- Implement new customer partnerships
Each step towards an integrated category development program helps you grasp the competitive advantage. This advantage is gained by quickly learning more about consumers and immediately turning that learning into action.
Services
Performance Benchmarking
This critical step sets the standard from which to measure and improve category performance.
Category Plans and Reviews
Once the groundwork is laid and performance benchmarks are established, it is important to map out a category plan and periodically review the plan. These reviews are designed to measure progress against the plan. They can also be useful to spot trends and test additional activities that will continue to develop the category for long-term growth.
Best Practice Development
Effective consumer-based retail programs are created using input from tactical studies, consumer research and performance benchmarking. These inputs are then used to uncover best practices, create demand, optimize performance, deliver a quality product, and retain and gain consumers.
Trade/Retail Partnering
After category knowledge is accumulated and the shift has been made to accommodate a consumer-driven marketplace, it is time to create solid partnerships between retail and supplier. These alliances help improve decision-making to maximize category sales and profits and add value to the entire supply chain.
The Perishables Group is uniquely positioned to help facilitate and support retailer and supplier partnerships for improved performance.