In #ReTechCo2019, one issue had been repeatedly raised by industry veterans.
How to ensure that your stores have right kind of SKU as per the regional taste?
Goto any kirana stores or any mom & pop stores, you will find items which you generally like. In fact they will also find items which you know you will buy if they are available there (however online stores would have stock out).
You will expect that large chains of stores with access to capital, talent should be in a position to offer better choices, right choices at right locations.
Why the gap exists?
Reasons of gap would be:
- Lack of connection with end consumer as the management is focusing more on management.
- Going for economies of scale and losing sight of customer preferences.
- Thinking what sells at one location will also sell at another location.
Merchandisers would be ensuring that the right items are going to right stores. However as the number of stores increases, his voice may get drown out in overall noises.
Some of the organisations are taking up steps to ensure that right item is available at right stores at right region. Some of these solutions may look like crystal ball. However lot of hard work and customer focuses goes into these solutions. However they are limited in numbers.
Call for action:
Inputs/ comments/ suggestion: I welcome inputs/ comments / suggestions from readers on how to approach this issue. Feel free to correct me, educate me.
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(Disclaimer: The views expressed constitute the opinion of the author and the author alone; they do not represent the views and opinions of the author ’s employers, supervisors, nor do they represent the view of organizations, businesses or institutions the author is, or has been a part of.)
