A new era of efficient shop floor replenishment is just around the corner if the UK & Ireland’s 46,000+ Convenience stores adopt an innovative pre-filled mobile pallet ‘Dolly’ as their display solution of choice.
Figures released by CHEP UK & Ireland reveal that the use of the ‘Dolly’ in every convenience store and display across the country would yield an additional 600,000 staff hours onto shop floors every year. These staff hours are currently tied-up in ‘pack-by-pack’ display replenishment or using equipment, like pump-trucks, to manoeuvre stock around the shop floor, which means that the Dolly will have a positive impact in the efficiency of the shop floors processes.
Sean Field, CHEP UK & Ireland, Store Solutions category manager, said: “As pioneers of new innovations and technologies to reduce inefficiency in the supply chain, we believe the concept of small, wheeled and robust quarter pallet display is simple but incredibly effective.
“The consumer shift towards ‘little and often’ shops put unprecedented pressure on Convenience stores. Limited space in-store for full-size cages, minimising costs and staff overheads, and keeping promotional products on display throughout the day are all challenges that all levels of management must grapple with.
“Together with retailers and manufacturers, we have observed the impact of the ‘Dolly’ and the result is more staff time released into frontline tasks, like checkout availability, in addition to maintaining promotional stock levels on the shop floor.”
‘Dolly’ in action – Spar stores reap the rewards
The ‘Dolly’ also has a positive impact with wholesalers of supplies to UK and Ireland’s convenience store sector. Henderson Wholesale, suppliers for Spar and Vivo stores, were early adopters of the ‘Dolly’.
Alan Abraham, logistics manager at Henderson Wholesale, said: “The CHEP ‘Dolly’ does fit within the philosophy of where we’re going with our future supply chain. It allows for inefficient processes to be removed, reduced or eliminated.
“The manoeuvrability of the ‘Dolly’ and ability to roll the unit from stock room to shop floor generates instant dividends. For example, it can take up to half an hour for a single staff member to stack large soft drink bottles. The ‘Dolly’ can be deployed in moment.”
Combining the humble ‘Dolly’ with technology
Ashrit Cheepirishetti, CHEP UK & Ireland, Digital Solutions leader – Northern Europe, said: “The Dolly could use creativity in combination with technology. For example, proximity marketing which triggers a message from the Dolly to the Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone of the shopper who may have previously registered their interest in a promotion, to let them know they that their favoured product is nearby.
“Similar beacon technology on the Dolly could also assist retailers in monitoring stock control, compliance and accumulation of big data to help adapt sales strategy.”
The figure is revealed in CHEP UK & Ireland’s new guide, ‘The Inconvenience of Convenience’, available on their website, which assesses the current challenges facing the sector.
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