Optimising Supermarket Promotions of Fast Moving Consumer Goods Using Disaggregated Sales Data: a Case Study of Tesco and Their Small and Medium

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Optimising Supermarket Promotions of Fast Moving Consumer Goods Using Disaggregated Sales Data: a Case Study of Tesco and Their Small and Medium Optimising supermarket promotions of fast moving consumer goods using disaggregated sales data: A case study of Tesco and their small and medium sized suppliers BY: Sheraz Alam Malik SUPERVISORS: Prof. Andrew Fearne Dr. Jesse’O’Hanley Dr. Shamin Wu UNIVERSITY OF KENT Kent Business School December 2015 This thesis is submitted to the University of Kent, United Kingdom in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Science. Abstract The use of price promotions for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG’s) by supermarkets has increased substantially over the last decade, with significant implications for all stakeholders (suppliers, service providers & retailers) in terms of profitability and waste. The overall impact of price promotions depends on the complex interplay of demand and supply side factors, which has received limited attention in the academic literature. There is anecdotal evidence that in many cases, and particularly for products supplied by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), price promotions are implemented with limited understanding of these factors, resulting in missed opportunities for sales and the generation of avoidable promotional waste. This is particularly dangerous for SMEs who are often operating with tight margins and limited resources. A better understanding of consumer demand, through the use of disaggregated sales data (by shopper segment and store type) can facilitate more accurate forecasting of promotional uplifts and more effective allocation of stock, to maximise promotional sales and minimise promotional waste. However, there is little evidence that disaggregated data is widely or routinely used by supermarkets or their suppliers, particularly for those products supplied by SMEs. Moreover, the bulk of the published research regarding the impact of price promotions is either focussed on modelling consumer response, using claimed behaviour or highly aggregated scanner data or replenishment processes (frameworks and models) that bear little resemblance to the way in which the majority of food SMEs operate. This thesis explores the scope for improving the planning and execution of supermarket promotions, in the specific context of products supplied by SME, through the use of dis- aggregated sales data to forecast promotional sales and allocate promotional stock. An innovative case study methodology is used combining qualitative research to explore the promotional processes used by SMEs supplying the UK’s largest supermarket, Tesco, and simulation modelling, using supermarket loyalty card data and store level sales data, to estimate short term promotional impacts under different scenarios and derive optimize stock allocations using mixed integer linear programming (MILP). i The results suggest that promotions are often designed, planned and executed with little formalised analysis or use of dis-aggregated sales data and with limited consideration of the interplay between supply and demand. The simulation modelling and MILP demonstrate the benefits of using supermarket loyalty card data and store level sales data to forecast demand and allocate stocks, through higher promotional uplifts and reduced levels of promotional waste ii Acknowledgements I would like to thank first and foremost to ‘ALLAH’ Al mighty for giving me guidance and strength. My sincere gratitude to my supervisory team headed by Prof Fearne along with Dr ‘O’ Hanley & Dr Wu who provided me with outstanding support all the way in this journey. My special appreciation is for my family (my mother, wife & kids) who stood by me in the thick and thin of this journey. Last but not the least I would thank everyone from Kent Business School, Medway who offered valuable guidance and resources to achieve this seemingly unachievable task. Sheraz Alam Malik March, 2015 iii Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................ iii CHAPTER 1 -INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION .......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND METHODS ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 CONTRIBUTION .................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.6 THESIS STRUCTURE .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 2- Literature review ................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 THE ROLE OF SALES PROMOTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 MARKETING PERSPECTIVES ON PROMOTIONAL IMPACTS ........................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 Brand Switching ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Purchase Acceleration ........................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.3 Category Expansion ............................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.4 Consumer loyalty ................................................................................................................................................... 19 2.3 PROMOTIONAL PLANNING MODELS ..................................................................................................................... 21 2.3.1 Demand and supply chain coordination ................................................................................................................ 28 2.3.2 Bullwhip effect & Demand amplification ............................................................................................................... 41 2.4 EXECUTION OF PROMOTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 43 2.5 GAPS IDENTIFIED IN THE LITERATURE .................................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 3- Expert Interviews .............................................................................................................. 50 3.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 50 3.2 CASE STUDY 1 (AMBIENT PRODUCT CATEGORY) ...................................................................................................... 51 3.2.1 Company ‘A’ ........................................................................................................................................................... 51 3.2.2 Company ‘B’ ........................................................................................................................................................... 51 3.2.3 Promotional objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 51 3.2.4 Promotional Planning ............................................................................................................................................ 53 3.2.5 Promotional Execution .......................................................................................................................................... 56 3.2.6 Evaluation & Feedback .......................................................................................................................................... 58 3.2.7. Summary ............................................................................................................................................................... 60 3.3 CASE STUDY 2 (FRESH PRODUCE CATEGORY) .......................................................................................................... 60 3.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 60 3.3.1 Company ‘C’ (Apple supplier) ............................................................................................................................... 61 3.3.2 Company ‘D’ (Mushroom Supplier) ...................................................................................................................... 61 3.3.3 Company ‘E’ (Carrot supplier)
Recommended publications
  • How to Layout a Retail Store a Practical Guide to Macro Space Planning
    HOW TO LAYOUT A RETAIL STORE A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MACRO SPACE PLANNING www.ecrireland.ie Cash margin has improved by 1.5% as a result of our Macro Space Planning project! - Gary Rice, What they say! Store Owner, Mace Customers have commented on the openness of the shop since we changed it around, they find it easier Customers said they did not to see things - know we had a deli in our Store Manager, Londis store because the shop was so high, now they can walk in and see the deli down the back which is high margin for me 40 – 50% - Gary Rice, Store Owner, Mace We now have room to push promotional activity, that what customers want in this climate - Store Manager, Londis We have used the process with many different Retailers, and all have delivered tangible benefits often at a very low cost - Jenny Maybury, Category Solutions www.ecrireland.ie Table Of Contents Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Methodology 3 The Process A Quick Stop Overview 4 A Step by Step Approach 7 Conclusions 36 Case Studies 37 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holders. © ECR Ireland 2012 Facilitated by ECR Ireland. This report contains considerable intellectual property and ideas provided by ECR Ireland. It has been provided for use by the industry. This material cannot be used by other consultants for commercial purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Retail Change: a Consideration of the UK Food Retail Industry, 1950-2010. Phd Thesis, Middlesex University
    Middlesex University Research Repository An open access repository of Middlesex University research http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk Clough, Roger (2002) Retail change: a consideration of the UK food retail industry, 1950-2010. PhD thesis, Middlesex University. [Thesis] This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/8105/ Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University’s research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners unless otherwise stated. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. Works, including theses and research projects, may not be reproduced in any format or medium, or extensive quotations taken from them, or their content changed in any way, without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). They may not be sold or exploited commercially in any format or medium without the prior written permission of the copyright holder(s). Full bibliographic details must be given when referring to, or quoting from full items including the author’s name, the title of the work, publication details where relevant (place, publisher, date), pag- ination, and for theses or dissertations the awarding institution, the degree type awarded, and the date of the award. If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the Repository Team at Middlesex University via the following email address: [email protected] The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated.
    [Show full text]
  • Multiple and Symbol Operators: the Battle for Market Leadership in the Irish Grocery Market
    Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin Case Studies School of Retail and Services Management 2002-01-01 Multiple and Symbol Operators: the Battle for Market Leadership in the Irish Grocery Market Edmund O'Callaghan Technological University Dublin, [email protected] Mary Wilcox Technological University Dublin, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/buschrsmcas Part of the Business Commons Recommended Citation O'Callaghan, E., Wilcox, M.:Multiple and Symbol Operators: The battle for Market Leadership in the Irish Grocery Market. Case Study. Irish Marketing Review VOL.14, No.2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Retail and Services Management at ARROW@TU Dublin. It has been accepted for inclusion in Case Studies by an authorized administrator of ARROW@TU Dublin. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License Dublin Institute of Technology ARROW@DIT Articles School of Retail and Services Management 1-1-2002 Multiple and Symbol Operators: The battle for Market Leadership in the Irish Grocery Market Edmund O'Callaghan Dublin Institute of Technology, [email protected] Mary Wilcox Dublin Institute of Technology, [email protected] This Other is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Retail and Services Management at ARROW@DIT. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles by an authorized administrator of ARROW@DIT. For more information, please contact [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Focus on Ireland
    FOCUS ON IRELAND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOOD CONCEPT, NAMELY SPAR’S BETTER CHOICES CAMPAIGN, ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS TO MAKE HEALTHY SHOPPING CHOICES. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW There are three main offerings within the June 2015, seven new stores have been SPAR brand. SPAR provides neighbourhood involved in the investment programme. This BWG performed well, achieving sales growth shopping, with central locations and extended programme introduces bakeries and fresh food across all retail brands. Turnover increased by shopping hours to maximise convenience. ranges in-store, supported by a strong focus on 36.8% to R23.1 billion (2015: R16.9 billion), SPAR Express targets on-the-go, forecourt refurbishments. The investments showed representing 25.5% of overall group turnover. shoppers, and EUROSPAR provides positive gains, with each of the seven stores Consumer spend has shown a positive increase supermarket shopping. delivering average retail sales growth of 10%. in comparison to 2015. However, disparity in economic growth across the country affected SPAR and SPAR Express showed pleasing MACE is the longest-established convenience performance. While consumer activity in growth and remain the brand of choice for shopping brand in Ireland. The MACE network urban areas indicates continued recovery from many independent retailers – demonstrated by includes community stores, as well as forecourt the global economic recession, rural areas the opening of 22 new stores during the year. shopping, with a total of 226 stores around the remain a challenge. The SPAR house brand delivered growth of country. MACE is particularly strong in the 3.5% in 2016. The new premium house brand, forecourt sector, with 152 forecourt stores.
    [Show full text]
  • A STUDY of the EVOLUTION of CONCENTRATION in the FOOD DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY for the UNITED KINGDOM October 1977
    COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES A STUDY OF THE EVOLUTION OF CONCENTRATION IN THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM October 1977 In 1970 the Commission initiated a research programme on the evolution of concen­ tration and com petition in several sectors and markets of manufacturing industries in the different Member States (textile, paper, pharmaceutical and photographic pro­ ducts, cycles and motorcycles, agricultural machinery, office machinery, textile machinery, civil engineering equipment, hoisting and handling equipment, electronic and audio equipment, radio and television receivers, domestic electrical appliances, food and drink manufacturing industries). The aims, criteria and principal results of this research are set out in the document "M ethodology of concentration analysis applied to the study o f industries and markets” , by Dr. Remo LINDA, (ref. 8756), September 1976. This particular volume constitutes a part of the second series of studies, the main aims of which is to present the results of the research on the evolution of concentration in the food distribution industry for the United Kingdom. Another volume, already published (vol. II: Price Surveys), outlines the results of the research on the distribution o f food products in the United Kingdom, w ith regard to the evolution of prices and mark-ups, based on a limited sample of food products and on a limited number of sales points in the Greater London area. Similar volumes concerning the structures of the distributive systems and the evolution of prices and mark ups have been established also fo r other Member States (Germany, France, Italy and Denmark). COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES A STUDY OF THE EVOLUTION OF CONCENTRATION IN THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM VOLUME I Industry structure and concentration by Development Analysts Ltd., 49 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CRO 6PQ, England.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Text of the Decision Regarding the Completed Acquisition by Costcutter Supermarkets Group of the Symbol Group Business of P
    Completed acquisition by Costcutter Supermarkets Group of the Symbol Group Business of Palmer & Harvey McLane Limited and creation of a joint buying company ME/6027/13 The OFT’s decision on reference under section 22(1) given on 21 August 2013. Full text of decision published 5 September 2013. Please note that the square brackets indicate figures or text which have been deleted or replaced in ranges at the request of the parties or third parties for reasons of commercial confidentiality. PARTIES 1. Costcutter Supermarkets Group (Costcutter) is a symbol group1 operator, providing symbol group and wholesale services to approximately 1,600 member stores, through its Costcutter, myCostcutter and Kwiksave brands. Costcutter also owns 23 stores. Costcutter is (indirectly) wholly-owned by Bibby Line Group Limited. Costcutter’s turnover in its 2012 financial year was £655.8 million. 2. Palmer & Harvey McLane Limited (P&H) is a wholesale supplier of tobacco, confectionery, soft drinks, chilled and frozen foods and other groceries, delivering across the UK from 14 depots. P&H also operates and provides symbol group services to approximately 834 stores through its Mace, Supershop and Your Store brands. P&H also owns 10 stores. P&H’s turnover in its last financial year ending 6 April 2013 was £4.165 billion, of which the symbol group business being acquired by Costcutter (the 'Mace Business') generated approximately £[ ] million in the UK. 1 A group of stores, some of which may operate under a franchise arrangement, and trade under a common fascia (symbol). 1 TRANSACTION 3. Costcutter acquired the Mace Business on 6 April 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • Local Shop Report 2016
    THE LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2016 A report by the Association of Convenience Stores #LocalShopReport CONTENTS ABOUT THE REPORT CONVENIENCE STORES - THE MODERN LOCAL SHOP About the report 2 The Local Shop Report 2016 marks the The value the convenience * About ACS 2 fifth edition of our report on the successful sector adds to the economy in That’s around of all UK RETAIL... ** The modern local shop 3 and diverse convenience sector in the Gross Value Added is just over...£5bn 6% Summary 4 UK. The report is the cornerstone of ACS’ Shops 6 research, providing detailed information The local shop is a long standing feature of UK communities, • Co-operatives – groups of stores that are owned by their Sales 8 about the stores that operate in the it is however constantly evolving and changing. customers, the biggest by far is The Co-operative Group, Investment 10 sector, the people they employ and the but there are a number of smaller co-operative societies The modern local shop has developed within the convenience operating convenience stores around the country; Features 12 communities that they serve. store format. It is typically characterised as follows: Jobs 14 • Multiples – chains of stores run from a head office • Open for long hours, usually seven days a week, and not (examples are McColl’s Retail Group, BP and Tesco Express); Entrepreneurs 16 In this year’s report, for the first time we subject to restrictions under the Sunday Trading Act. Communities 18 are exploring the investment decisions • Symbol groups – these are groups usually organised by a • Occupying a small store premises – usually smaller than wholesaler that are made up of independent businesses Customers 20 made by convenience store owners, 280 square metres or 3,000 square feet (see page 7).
    [Show full text]
  • Grocery Sector
    Scale, Disruption and Brexit A new dawn for the UK food supply chains? Contents 3 Executive summary 4 Part 1: Societal shifts in how, when and where we shop 8 Part 2: Consolidation is the name of the game 13 Part 3: The Brexit effect 23 Case studies Groceries Code Adjudicator Harvey and Brockless SPAR 29 Checking out the shop landscape: Trends to watch 30 The tariff effect 31 Appendix 33 Further information This report was researched, developed and produced by Retail Economics in September 2018 for Barclays Corporate Banking. 2 of 33 Executive summary It’s a momentous time for the UK food and grocery sector. New technology, increased consumer choice, fiercer competition and game-changing industry consolidation have all led to a big shift in power between wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Disruption is now the new normal across the sector. closer to home, buy produce from local suppliers and be For example, a hard or no-deal Brexit could mean: more ethical with what they put in their basket. They’re also To become more profitable and fit for the digital age, • New tariffs* of £9.3bn per year imposed on food looking for a wider, more pleasing shopping experience. retailers have had to keep up with customer demands and and drink imports from the EU expectations. This has led to innovative strategic partnerships Playing out against the backdrop of these developments A new average tariff of 27% for food and drink supply that no one thought possible just a few years ago. • is the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
    [Show full text]
  • Over 17 Years of Experience in the Sector
    o v e r 17 y e a r s of e x p e r i e n c e we understand the importance of our customers retail businesses. ABOUT US Link Shopfitting Limited is a shop fitting company based in East London with over 17 years of experience in the sector. During these years we have built a solid reputation for our professional service amoungst our clients throughout England and Wells. Link Shopfitting provides the perfect solution for all retail environments, from design to site installation. We have an extended client base and are capable of handling projects of any size, budget and time constraint, maintaining a professional standard throughout. Link Shopfitting have worked with a number of independent stores, convenience stores, coffee shops, news agent, petro stations, and pharmacies. Our company is an approved contractor to various well- known symbol groups such as CostCutter, Premier, Best One. We have worked and continue to work with Nisa, Post Office, Spar, Londis, Subway, Bargain Booze. We make sure to compile all specification requirements, paying attention to details 2 OUR SERVICES At Link Shopfitting we understand the importance of our customers retail businesses. Our mission is to provide a high quality service and affordability on all of our projects to enhance the success of any business. Our complete shop fitting begins from an initial design service, right through to a supervised site installation. INTERIOR DESIGN BUILDING WORK FINANCE We offer a wide range of shop fitting services and products including: ceilings, electrical works and lighting, floors, refrigeration, air conditioning, shelving, bespoke joinery and counters, shop fronts, signage, alarm and CCTV.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of Hearing with Palmer and Harvey on 4 September 2017
    ANTICIPATED MERGER OF TESCO AND BOOKER Summary of hearing with Palmer and Harvey on 4 September 2017 Palmer & Harvey 1. Palmer & Harvey (P&H) said that it started as a tobacco wholesaler in 1925. It started adding different products to its range as its customers developed and grew. It also acquired a number of smaller wholesalers which has allowed it to develop its offering and geographic coverage over time. 2. P&H said that it has been facing financial issues for several years which arose as a result of being a low margin business, significant increases in costs and []. In 2008 there was a Management Buyout []. P&H said that it entered into a partnership with Costcutter, []. As part of this deal P&H also transferred MACE, its retail arm, to Costcutter. 3. P&H said that for a number of years it []. P&H said that its operational costs have risen by []% over the last 4 years and []. 4. P&H said that the business refinanced in March 2016 []. 5. P&H said that Tesco is its largest customer; from which it gets []% of its revenue. It used to have a rolling annual agreement with Tesco but wanted to create a level of certainty and did this by entering into negotiations with Tesco for a [] contract, []. Wholesale business 6. P&H said that its unique selling point was that it was a national delivered wholesaler, and its 14 depots across the UK enables it to provide the same delivered service to all its customers wherever they are in the UK.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study Musgrave Group
    Case Study Musgrave Group Flexible accessplanit solution creates time for European retailer accessplanit saves The Musgrave Group 40% in processing time in first year The Client The Musgrave Group is a retail business with a turnover exceeding €4.5bn, operating in Spain, UK and Ireland. Founded in 1876 the business specialises in the food and grocery market with household name brands including: Budgens, Londis, SuperValu, MACE, Musgrave MarketPlace and Musgrave Foodservices. The company has a workforce of over 55,000 employees across Europe and operates from a head office in Cork, Ireland. The Business Challenge The Musgrave Group were using an out of date system ‘ProClarity’ together with a series of excel spreadsheets to manage and monitor the training and development of their 55,000 employees across 650 stores. The system was labour intensive, time consuming and extremely inefficient. The information held was difficult to access and track, and reporting was patchy and limited. The team required a system with the capability to meet their international requirements, tick all their ‘must have’ boxes and achieve all of this within a realistic budget. The accessplanit Solution By taking the time to understanding the process and limitations of Musgrave Group’s current system, accessplanit were able to advise on how the system would be the best fit, and which modules would maximise efficiency and drive out costs. accessplanit offered the smoothest transition and has the ability to handle the scale of management required whilst remaining flexible. With the accessplanit system, clients only use the modules that suit their business – you don’t pay for a set with package with features that are not relevant to your business.
    [Show full text]
  • Checkout Top 100 Brands 2011, Nielsen.Pdf
    CK 0811 Front Cover.qxp 23/08/2011 10:10 Page 1 Produced in association with FP AD TEMPLATE 23/08/2011 10:12 Page 1 CK 0811 Contents.qxp 23/08/2011 11:14 Page 3 CHECKOUTVOTED B2B MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2009 VOL. 37 NO.8 AUGUST 2011 dominate the market, retaining on to second place in the Top 100 for a second year, the market share of the Top 5 milk brands has dropped to 37.5 per cent this AUGUST 2011 year, down from 44 per cent last year, Vol. 37 No.8 and 52 per cent in 2009. Should both PL and the discounters continue their upward trajectory, you can expect to see CHAIRMAN/PUBLISHER KEVIN KELLY this share drop yet further. The other big story of the month, of EDITOR STEPHEN WYNNE JONES course, has been the Musgrave – [email protected] Superquinn deal, which appears to be nearing its conclusion. At the time of SENIOR REPORTER GRÁINNE BURNS going to press, Checkout was still [email protected] anticipating the Competition Authority’s here’s an old adage that goes, ‘the decision – a ‘request for further CONTRIBUTORS CONOR O’BRIEN, FAYE COULMAN more things change, the more they information’ from the parties involved Tstay the same’. ‘Change’ in this put the kibosh on the deal being PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE KENNY instance (if you haven’t noticed the approved in time for our deadline. unfamiliar face peering out at you from the However, from speaking to a number of ART DIRECTOR PAUL KELLY/IGOR BIASINI page) is the arrival of a new editor, myself, retail experts at length on the subject following the departure of John Ruddy, (including Superquinn’s founder, Senator SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER DANI SINNOTT who has embarked on a promising career Feargal Quinn), we would be confident [email protected] with one of the country’s top legal firms.
    [Show full text]