Helping business improve the way they operate is at the heart of many suppliers’ strategies and investment plans. Who has most helped your business this year?

1. Better Biscuits 

Crisps and snacks firm Pladis has had a busy year with a number of key products released into the market. The company’s category management platform ensures stores are utilising this activity to the fullest extent, with detailed ranging advice, planograms, PoS and a profit calculator. Its five-step guide can help retailers see as much as a 68% uplift in biscuits sales. The site is part of a strategy to make Pladis “the second biggest food company in the world”.

Did you know? Retailers can request a biscuits relay through the company’s trade website.

2. P&G’s ShelfHelp 

P&G relaunched its long-standing Shelf-Help site in 2016. One of the original trade websites for independent retailers, Shelf-Help keeps retailers up to date with the latest trends with category-by-category information on products and shopper demands. Each trend is then reflected in a planogram allowing retailers to better meet the needs of their customers. ShelfHelp continues to provide retailers with testimonials and advice
for every kind of store.

Did you know? Cincinnati entrepreneurs Proctor and Gamble founded their joint business in 1837.

3. JTI Advance 

The tobacco supplier’s app has been at the heart of its retailer communications strategy for more than three years but as the challenges of plain packaging became acute in 2017, it became an invaluable resource. As products went out of stock JTI Advance updated retailers, and with stock becoming suddenly unsellable due to the EUTPD II legislation, it also contained easy-to-understand legal advice for store owners.

Did you know? JTI Advance also allows retailers to create digital shopping lists.

4. Boost’s Tips To Sell More 

Boost’s website has a dedicated trade area where retailers can improve their category management and learn more about the company’s range. A simple guide to improving sales sits on Boost’s website, providing retailers with an easy access reference point from a supplier committed to its independents-only
sales strategy. The ex-pertise the company’s website provides was even more called upon this year as Boost launched a range of on-trend new products.

Did you know? The company launched Protein Boost this year with an RRP of £1.29.

5. Wrigley Merchandising Masters 

Providing readers with an opportunity to see top retailers learn supplier best practice, enact it and then report their results has allowed Wrigley to develop a credible and useful category guide. Highlighting its effectiveness, the programme comes back again year after year reflecting fast-changing trends and opportunities in the market. The company’s commitment to help store owners take advantage of trends to boost gum sales is impressive.   

Did you know? 97% of Wrigley’s gum sales come from sugar-free products.