Supervalu is testing new "weapons" in the long-running battle against out-of-stocks, piloting tools that track shelf in-stock positions by item and time of day. The grocery retailer is also boosting store-level control over crucial end cap merchandising displays as well as overall product assortments.
The out-of-stock tools being tested "analyze point-of-sale transaction data to identify out-of-stock opportunities, which allows our store director to take prompt, corrective action," said Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert. "These actions include training associates on how to better prepare orders, working with specific DSD [direct store delivery] vendors to ensure shelves are properly filled and modifying staffing schedules and restocking procedures to address potential out-of-stocks."
Supervalu is implementing these changes in both its perishable and non-perishable categories.
