MARKET WATCH
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New Release of DSD Platform Available
There are the significant enhancements in the newest release of the direct-store-delivery platform from AFS Technologies, provider of business enterprise and on-demand software solutions.
The intuitive improvements made to the AFS DSD solution suite are designed to provide increased capabilities that work for, not against, distributor-based companies by seamlessly expanding business functionality, boosting productivity and streamlining operations — without complicating the workflow process.
AFS DSD, which encompasses DSD Mobile and DSD Office, is a complete route accounting solution to link organizations and improve production efficiencies. To conduct business more effectively throughout the global supply chain, the new release of AFS DSD Mobile includes multi-language support as well as paperless invoices and reports. The software upgrades will allow a driver to email invoices to the customer via handheld device to eliminate printing.
“The major enhancements and new DSD capabilities available in this release are the direct result of customer feedback, emerging technology, and will definitely meet a distributor’s demands for conducting business efficiently in a mobile marketplace,” said Kurien Jacob, CEO of AFS Technologies.
For more information: www.afsi.com.
New Solution for CPG Product Content Creation and Distribution
Consumer goods manufacturers and retailers have a new way to create, maintain and distribute their product content across merchandising and shopper marketing channels, including online, mobile and in-store.
Gladson myBrands from Gladson aims to fulfill the industry need for accurate and consistent product content across all platforms.
Experts agree that the need for CPG product content has increased exponentially in recent years as brands struggle to provide the detailed product information consumers are looking for across websites, mobile apps, weekly circulars, in-store signage and more.
“Gladson myBrands allows CPG companies to deliver accurate, consistent and compelling product content across channels to improve brand consistency and consumer engagement,” said Sue Sentell, president and CEO of Gladson. “Having the right product content available to the right audiences at the right time is essential for CPG companies to stay competitive in today’s omni-channel marketplace.”
The solution provides CPG manufacturers with product content for their nationally branded products. The complete set of product content includes high-resolution images, package dimensions and weights, nutritional values, directions, warnings and other significant information listed on the product’s packaging. For retailers, Gladson myBrands creates and manages the same content for private label products.
For more information: www.gladson.com.
IRI Acquires Market Leader Aztec
Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), a global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and over-the-counter healthcare companies, has acquired Aztec, a leading provider of market measurement and related services for consumer packaged goods (CPG), liquor and pharmaceutical manufacturers and retailers in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Aztec was acquired from Aegis Media.
Aztec is a leading provider of market measurement, customer insight analytics and CRM services to CPG manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers. The company offers computer-based information services, including data processing and reporting, leading-edge and user-friendly software, training and client support.
Aztec includes six service lines: CRM, scan data sourcing, data processing, market measurement, shopper insights, and advanced analytics. The company, which was founded in 1995, has more than 500 employees and was previously part of Aegis Media, a leading global media and digital communications specialist.
“This agreement directly supports our overarching “Growth Delivered” business strategy and underscores IRI’s ongoing commitment to expanding its geographic footprint and capabilities to meet our multi-country clients’ evolving research needs,” said Andrew Appel, president and chief executive officer, IRI.
For more information: www.iriworldwide.com.
Ace Hardware Scores with Mobile Coupon Campaign
A mobile coupon campaign by Pete’s Ace Hardware should attract the notice of any retailer.
The mobile coupons offered $10 off any $50 in store purchase, with the requirement that the consumer sign up for Ace Hardware’s mobile coupon alert service. Once signing up, 49% of the consumers who received the $10 off $50 mobile coupon redeemed it, driving average basket size to $81 - a 4.1x improvement.
“It has worked out really well for us,” said Linda Roark, CEO of Pete’s Ace Hardware. “It’s easy, our customers like it. They are coming in and showing these mobile coupons to the cashiers.”
The success of the pilot was highlighted at a regional meeting of 20 Ace Dealers in Northern California, all of whom signed up to replicate the in-store promotion.
“Initially the offer was intended to drive Ace Hardware’s mobile loyalty database,” said Pat Murphy, VP of Business Development for FunMobility, which provided the technology behind the promotion. “What really surprised us was the redemption rate of this coupon, and the stunning increase in cart size.”
Results are available at: http://www.funmobility.com/petes-ace-case-study/.
Mark Heckman Joins Advisory Board of LOC Enterprises
Mark Heckman, a retail and supermarket industry expert, has joined the advisory board of LOC Enterprises, the Cincinnati-based company that created the first global universal loyalty card network.
Heckman, the principal of Mark Heckman Consulting Group, has broad experience in marketing, brand partnerships, category management practices, and consumer research. Positions he has held include Director of Marketing Research at Marsh Supermarkets and Vice President of Marketing for Randalls Foods, MARC Advertising, and Valassis Relationship Marketing Systems. Heckman also has consulted for Procter & Gamble, Hewlett Packard, and Sweetbay Supermarkets.
LOC Enterprises launched the LOC card in New York City in January 2013, at the annual National Retail Federation (NRF) convention. Since that time, the company has partnered with manufacturers of scanning and point-of-sale (POS) equipment and companies that provide loyalty programs to merchants to incorporate the LOC Card into their systems. The company is now actively seeking merchants to join the network.
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