Product availability in January has been a challenge for the fast moving consumer goods industry for many years for both retailers and suppliers. In 2009, the Board of ECRA first identified improving January service levels between suppliers and retailers and between retailers and their stores as a major opportunity for the industry players to collaborate under the banner of Winning in January.
In 2014 ECRA has again undertaken a data based approach to reviewing service performance levels into stores for the period over Christmas and New Year and the month of January 2014. The data capture was undertaken with the collaborative support of retailers Coles, Metcash Trading and Woolworths Limited. For the first time, a New Zealand perspective has been included thanks to support and participation on the parts of Progressive and Foodstuffs.
The resultant 2014 ECRA Winning in January Review is the fifth iteration of this annual fact based suite of key industry results pertaining to optimising service performance and sales across Christmas and January. Disappointingly, with six year’s data now available, comprehensive industry improvements have yet to materialise. The headway made in January 2010 has not been repeated calling into question the sustainability of process improvements made over the past years.
ECRA remains committed to working with industry to further improve On Shelf Availability (OSA) and as such intend to refocus industry efforts on this important initiative ahead of January 2015. As such, this year’s report should be used to inform your business, prepare for 2015 and act as a catalyst for further discussion with your trading partners.
The 2014 ECRA Winning in January Review can be ordered here.