Bar the arrival of RN each week, sales teams are the closest and most regular contact retailers have with industry insight and expertise. Which company’s team has helped you and your business develop most this year?

1. Imperial

In a difficult year for tobacco, retailers could either decide to scale back focus on the category or find success through maintaining a great range. It was vital retailers had support from the biggest suppliers in the industry and Imperial Tobacco has come up trumps. Imperial reps helped committed retailers at every stage. A trade-focused website provides further information at all hours with a specific area focusing on the fight against the illicit trade.

Did you know? Imperial’s trade website also contains information on tobacco legislation, brand updates and latest RRP pricelists.

2. Mondelez

Retailers are seemingly unanimous in their appreciation of their Mondelez reps, a company with a reputation for investing in its sales team. Hands-on merchandising support and a non-pushy approach to introducing new products are why readers say the Mondelez team gets it right, but another factor is ranging. With the high number of seasonal and trend-based launches, Mondelez teams are seen as essential by many retailers in ensuring they build the right
range.

Did you know? Mondelez is bringing the Oreo brand to its Easter seasonal portfolio for 2018.

3. Ling Designs

Retailers cannot be experts on every single category and greeting cards suppliers have led the way in providing essentially a full category management solution with sales reps making regular store visits. Family Shopper retailer Sunita Kanji and WHSmith Local’s Paul Patel have both highlighted the importance of this category but doubt they would have the ability to manage it to the extent it deserves. Retailers are benefiting from the tireless work of teams such as Ling Designs.

Did you know? Britons will send more than one billion Christmas cards this year.

4. PepsiCo

Another company whose sales team has boosted its reputation with retailers through the expertise it offers and the assistance it can provide is PepsiCo. On a recent visit to Dennis and Linda Williams’ Premier store in Edinburgh, the couple spoke in glowing terms of how PepsiCo reps had helped them take advantage of promotion trials and updated PoS. With mechanics such as meal deals sitting alongside the increase in sharing bag sales, a guiding hand can be essential to taking full advantage of opportunities.

Did you know? In 1893, Caleb Davis Bradham began selling ‘Brad’s Drink’ in his North Carolina store. He renamed it Pepsi-Cola some years later.

5. News UK

Without the investment in their sales teams many newsagents would have no personal link with news publishers – it’s as simple as that. The News UK team helps make initiatives such as Sun Savers a success but also helps the entire category feel like an area of stores that still deserves the attention which is essential if a good service is going to be provided to customers. News UK’s investment in Deliver My Newspaper also suggests that, one way or another, the support it gives retailers is here to stay.

Did you know? The gender gap between Sun readers is estimated to be 59% to 41% male.