METRO Group’s Shelf Management System contributes to creating order in store shelves and displaying merchandise in a way which drives sales and is customer-focused. Creating planograms with a direct feed from the Metro Merchandizing System (One MMS) via the METRO Group Data Warehouse (MDW) simplifies the task of attractively and clearly displaying items at the right place and in the right amount. Empty shelves as well as stock surpluses are reduced. Customers can find their way around stores and find what they are looking for quickly.

The Shelf Management System is vital for Category Managers. Planograms help them to design and optimize the shelf layout for defined categories. Category Managers can check if there is enough space for the listed product range, which in turn ensures that they can ensure the availability and appealing display of products. Visualizing the process prevents the Category Manager carrying more new items than have been dropped and creating space problems in the store. Product range and shelf optimization can now be done in one step, instead of two in two different systems, thanks to the integration of SMS into the Category Manager Workbench CMplus. Conversely, the Category Manager can also quickly re-allocate the space in a shelf if a product is de-listed due to weak sales.

Thanks to the Shelf Management Systems’ planograms every store has an exact insight into which goods are stacked in which shelves. It also relieves store workers by simplifying the process of stocking shelves, reducing the number of incorrectly stocked shelves and closing supply gaps. Merchandize is stocked the same in all stores of one maintenance group. Centrally managing shelf planning also optimizes the display of merchandize in stores and creates a uniform appearance of all stores within a distribution line. This allows retailers to set them selves apart from competitors and to clearly demonstrate expertise in selecting a product range. Customer satisfaction increases and revenues rise.

Consumers also benefit from efficient shelf management. Deploying the Spaceman software makes sure that merchandise is arranged clearly. The product range is always up-to-date and popular items are always available. Shopping is easier, more attractive and less time-consuming. Customers enjoy shopping and are loyal to their store.