Monday, January 30, 2012

What Are Planograms?

By Chris Garrington
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A planogram is a visual drawing or diagram that shows where every single product within a retail outlet should be positioned. The optical image, which can be highly complex, acts as a flow chart for each particular merchandise department within a retail outlet. It will highlight on which aisle and on what shelf items are located and in what quantity. Planograms are an important tool throughout the retail industry and a very important system to help maximize sales.
The process of planning and implementing a planogram is highly sophisticated. It requires scientific knowledge and a certain degree of artistic inspiration. The creation of any planogram includes many certain merchandising rules and theories which are based upon optical and market research and leans heavily on the art of psychology.
A planogram is quite often produced before a product reaches the shop floor. This is very useful when a retailer requires multiple store displays and wants them all to have the same look and feel. Often goods manufacturers will release a suggested planogram to accompany their latest product, to mirror how it relates to existing products in the same category.
Product placement and improved sales are two major areas where a well implemented planogram system will work. Other improved considerations should be - maximised selling potential to every square footage of space. A better visual appeal and tighter inventory control, including easier product replenishment for staff.
Planogram designs can come in different forms. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG's) organisations and supermarket chains tend to use text and box based layouts. Their objective is to not only optimise shelf space, but also inventory turns and profit margins. Apparel brands and main-stream retailers focus on overall presentation and use pictorial style planograms that demonstrate the look and feel of the store as well as identifying each product.
Planogram structures can simply display a few items on a shelf up to more detailed systems which include numbered peg holes and shelf notches showing the exact placement of each product. Often the system will differ from one retail premises to another. An individual marketing strategy can be structured to fit the small retail outlet or the larger commercial chain.
The ultimate effectiveness of any planogram setup is always measured by profit and sales volume. A well configured system can significantly increase sales. An area that is highly maximised by a correct product placement is the impulse-buy market.

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