We all understand that the primary requirement for optimising retail sales and profit is the correct allocation of space to your range and promotional proposition across your estate. Ultimately this leads to a requirement for creating store layout plans, that when linked to an effective store operation will deliver your customer proposition. Most organisations of any scale capitalise on this by investing in a structured approach to blueprint and format planning. These organisations recognise that alongside expansion, these blueprints are the ‘engine room’ for growth programs.
Store Blueprint Strategy.
All store blueprint strategies are based upon effectively clustering and categorising (in most cases by sqm / ft) the store estate into logical store size groups. To which the relevant ranging strategies can be applied. Store format planning takes this blueprint process to a further level by groupings based upon location. The purpose being to reflect customer shopping missions (e.g. high street, retail park etc). This blending of a more localised product offer at individual store level creates a further framework for a more detailed space allocation, range apportionment and product selection. The objective being to maximise local growth and overall customer satisfaction.
Store Blueprints are a foundation process.
At Sigma, we believe space, range and store assortments are ‘intrinsically linked’ to the customer. As such our approach is to provide you with a clear framework for building a blueprint and format planning process to optimises store performance. We can work with and adapt to your existing planning processes, providing you with a structured process that works best for your organisation. We can help you with the following:
♦ Creating a well defined and clearly understood blueprint and format strategy for the business.
♦ Establishing the detailed analytics of blueprint, range and product performance.
♦ Clearly defining a measurable instore journey and customer experience.
♦ The alignment of your key trading, merchandising and range functions to the blueprints.
♦ Clear specifications and costing for property and merchandising.
♦ Robust plans for new store opening and store refurbishment program linked to budgets.
Driving Sales and Profit.
Your blueprint strategy sits as one of the key pillars that drive sales, profit and customer growth. Not only do they play a key role in these areas their impact can be seen and felt in stock holdings and store operational costs. What is important is that this is part of a joined up process. An end-to-end process that is structured and functional within your organisation.
Blueprint strategies and an essential foundation pillar.
We can advise and support in all areas from strategy to planning systems and software, dependant on your requirements. As implementation specialists we can also provide clear and structured proposals to set out how we’d help you embed these into your organisation.
Give us a call to find out more about how we can help you.