As an independent grocer, it can be difficult to increase your store’s profitability. Most small grocery chains have multiple competitors, some of which are mega-stores. Business conditions, disrupted by a global pandemic, are changing rapidly, making it difficult to keep up and rendering old ways of doing things outdated and inefficient. And the business of selling food has probably never become so complex. Even with those headwinds, you can increase not only sales but profits, too, by making strategic investments in the future of your grocery business. Which investments provide the greatest ROI in terms of both sales and profits? Here are several:
Macro Space Planning
We can help you analyze the layout of your store by using sales data, analytics, and other critical insights to help you determine how large or small each category should be and how it should be showcased. Macro Space Planning can make it easier for your shoppers to find what they need. It also helps you identify under-performing categories as well as pinpoint and expand successful categories. Macro Space Planning can help reduce out-of-stocks and help you make better and more educated business decisions and create more accurate forecasts/budgets. Ultimately, Macro Space Planning can help your grocery business significantly increase profit per linear foot by making your entire operation more efficient.
Schematics
UNFI Professional Services can provide visual representations of merchandising strategies. These visuals can help ensure proper product placement in each category, elevate the customer experience by optimizing product flow, and ensuring your store(s) are properly merchandising both private and national brand foods. Maybe even more importantly, they also can help you make educated and data-driven strategic decisions. Simply put, the right schematics can help you maximize both sales and drive profits.
Store Design & Equipment
Our team creates dynamic, relevant, and enticing shopping environments to set your store(s) apart from the competition, large and small, and to build customer loyalty. We also can help you control refrigeration, HVAC, and dehumidification costs — three critical expense areas for any grocery business. Our incredible project management teams work hard to save you and your store time and money.
Décor made easy
As you know, appearances matter. Whether your store needs a minor remodel or a major overhaul, a fresh new look can help your store’s sales and profits grow. Even a minor remodel can help boost a store’s sales by 5-8%. We offer a one-stop-shop with both customized and off-the-shelf solutions that saves you time and money, helping your store’s look remain competitive and relevant.
PivotalView
Accurate information that’s easily accessible to you and your team can make all the difference. At UNFI Professional Services, we offer a web-based mobile data analytics tool designed specifically for independent grocers. Conveniently and easily accessible from a mobile device, we provide you and your store’s leadership with the information you need to increase sales and control costs, including reducing shrink. Make data-driven decisions with an easy-to-use tool that can help you compare store, department and item performance, identifying key information such as underperforming products.
Why UNFI?
Increasing your company’s sales, profits and market share over time isn’t easy. But with our innovative tools, it’s definitely an attainable goal. It requires a smart approach to controlling costs, saving money and operating more efficiently. E-mail us at PSsales@UNFI.com to learn more.