Convenience Store Supply helps Retailers Deliver on Promise

December 17, 2006 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
ST. LOUIS, MO – Convenience stores by nature have a singular brand promise: convenience. But in a fast-paced retail environment, the busiest of stores struggle to live up to that commitment.

Some retailers are taking a step back and discovering opportunities to improve convenience by rethinking their supply and fixture layout. They’re recognizing opportunities to improve flow and better address their customers’ needs quickly and efficiently.

“If a store is properly staffed for its typical daily traffic, there should be no reason for lines and congestion,” Nu-Era’s Chris Weis said. “Convenience store managers need to realize the importance of efficient design in delivering on the promise of the industry.”

Weis is the marketing and eCommerce director at Nu-Era, a St. Louis-based company that provides fixtures and supplies for retailers nationwide. The company has an entire section of its website dedicated to convenience store supply.

According to Weis, store layout plays a big role in improving efficiency and convenience. It demands a customer-centric approach that allows managers to view the store as a customer would. By seeing the company the same way customers do, retailers have the necessary perspective to identify opportunities and make changes.

Convenience store retailers should consider the most popular products, and then determine how easy or how difficult they are to get to. Also, consider products that are often purchased together and how closely they are positioned within the store.

Retailers should also be sure to maintain a logical flow between the entrance, the products and the register. Look for subtle hiccups in aisle flow and identify a way to overcome them.

“While congestion is a problem in a store that promises convenience,” Weis said, “Fixing the issue may only require a series of small changes that keep busy customers on the move.”

Nu-Era and nu-era.com are services of The Nu-Era Group, LLC -the industry leader in store fixtures, supplies, and fulfillment. Nu-Era has been providing its customers with competitively priced quality products with customer-oriented service since 1949. For more information, visit them online at www.nu-era.com.