#USA #San Francisco #Simbe #Shelf Digitization #Merchandising

Simbe for Merchants: A Game-Changer for Retail Execution

Simbe, a leader in retail shelf digitization, has unveiled its latest innovation: Simbe for Merchants. This new suite is purpose-built for merchandising teams and aims to enhance flawless execution across retail locations. With the growing pressure on retailers to optimize in-store performance, Simbe's launch couldn't come at a more crucial time.

Understanding the Need

According to research, retail businesses are losing significant revenue due to inefficiencies at the shelves. A staggering 5.5% of sales are lost alongside a 5% margin due to issues such as out-of-stocks and pricing errors—key frustrations highlighted by shoppers. In an environment where compliance with well-planned shows averages only 60%, the stakes for effective merchandising have never been higher.

Features of Simbe for Merchants

Simbe for Merchants introduces several advanced features to assist merchandising teams:

1. Realograms: These are automatically generated, to-scale diagrams that provide a real-time view of what products are actually on shelves, including their positions and inventory levels. This feature enhances the ability to conduct audits and resets with unrivaled accuracy as it doesn't require existing planograms.

2. Multi-Store View: This functionality allows users to instantly compare shelf conditions for any product across different locations. Perfect for assessing seasonal sets or evaluating the execution of new items, this feature does away with the need for travel, making it extremely efficient.

3. Planogram Insights: These dashboards offer detailed compliance metrics down to each SKU, enabling teams to tackle inconsistencies before they affect sales. The early identification of issues ensures that products are always where they should be.

4. Vendor and Brand Dashboards: This centralized reporting tool provides insights into product availability and item counts sorted by vendor or brand, promoting accountability among suppliers and enhancing planning efforts.

Collectively, these capabilities create a unified approach to merchandizing that fosters collaboration between corporate offices, field teams, and vendors, all centered on accurate, real-time data.

Simbe Mobile 2.0 Launch

In conjunction with Simbe for Merchants, the company is also introducing Simbe Mobile 2.0. This redesigned app features enhanced navigation, smarter task management, and multi-store functionality, allowing users from store associates to district leaders to quickly address issues. The app, driven by feedback from users, is set to simplify workflows tremendously.

Expert Insight

Sean Spillane, a former SVP in retail strategy, emphasizes the importance of integrating merchandising teams into shelf digitization initiatives early on. He points out that the data provided by these tools can yield significant benefits for these teams, making it an essential part of the retail strategy.

Looking Ahead

The announcement of Simbe for Merchants illustrates the maturity and evolution of the shelf digitization market. As the first of several tailored solutions knocked out by Simbe, it lays the groundwork for future developments aimed at creating intelligent retail environments powered by advanced data infrastructure and AI initiatives.

Simbe's aim is clear: to revolutionize the way retailers approach shelf performance and merchandising by equipping teams with the precise insights they need to optimize sales and enhance customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, with the introduction of Simbe for Merchants and its innovative suite of capabilities, the retailer's landscape is set for transformative changes, promising greater collaboration, efficiency, and ultimately, improved sales across outlets.