August
25, 2009 - Toronto ON (PRWEB) - One of the largest product resets in Canadian
Tire stores is the fastener section - removing and replacing about 17,000
items, all in similar packaging, in over 400 stores across Canada. It's a
significant challenge, which most stores would rather not tackle on their own.
'When
we were approached by ITW, the primary fastener supplier to Canadian Tire, we
realized this was an extraordinary job," says Larry Deverett, President of SPAR
Canada Company. "So we decided to go at it in an extraordinary way."
"Usually
during a shelf reset, we take products off the shelves, sort the new product
line-up and put it up according to the new shelf planogram," explains Jo-Ann
Bobier, a District Supervisor for SPAR. "Sorting so many SKUs, of similar
products in similar packages, was not a job any of us looked forward to."
SPAR's
innovative approach addressed the problem at a basic level. "We couldn't do
much to improve on removing and replacing the packages, so we tackled the
sorting step," explains Deverett.
Using
sorting trays designed specifically for the job, along with planograms for the
old and new shelves, SPAR's crews were able to remove packages in the order in
which they would be replaced, effectively reducing two steps into one. "We
sorted as we pulled," says Bobier, "it worked so well that our reps were saying
it made the job more enjoyable."
"This
was the most productive reset we've done - the fastest and most cost
effective," says Deverett. "Previous fastener resets took about 25,000 man
hours and we did this one in just less than 20,000. We planned well."
According
to SPAR, the 20% time saving translated into about a $140,000 savings to ITW
and CT.
'It
just makes sense that if we can make our customers more profitable it helps our
business too," added Deverett. "We're looking forward to using the new system
with other customers in this year's reset season."
About
SPAR Canada Company.
SPAR
is a diversified marketing services company providing in-store merchandising,
database and research services to general retail, mass market, drug and grocery
chains.
SPAR
Canada Company
10 Planchet Road, Unit 21
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 2C8
