What is an Action Plan?

When district managers visit sites, they are bound to find issues. Even the best and most diligent operators make mistakes occasionally. Brand standards exist for a reason: they protect the brand and make sites more inviting to guests and more profitable. The action plan is an opportunity to apply corrective actions to problem areas. It … Continue reading What is an Action Plan?

How to Select Retail and Hospitality Execution Software in 6 Steps

Presenting retail and hospitality customers with options is part of the Bindy culture. Let's discuss how you can select the right site execution software vendor, in six steps. Methodology Being a retail audit software vendor ourselves, it is arguably difficult not to be biased. For this reason, we remain neutral in the general discussion while … Continue reading How to Select Retail and Hospitality Execution Software in 6 Steps

3 Ways to Save Money on Store Visits

Whether you are a district manager, regional, territory, sales or cluster manager, you regularly have to visit the stores you are responsible for. Here are three ways you and your organization can save money on collecting and actioning store visit data. Consolidate Visits From Multiple Departments The needs of the merchandising department, the operations department, … Continue reading 3 Ways to Save Money on Store Visits

Are You Just Collecting Store Data?

Type "mobile data collection" in your favorite search engine and you will find a large number of vendors in this category. Unfortunately, data collection alone is not enough. Why? Data collection is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Focusing on the means makes you miss out on the benefits of the … Continue reading Are You Just Collecting Store Data?

Prevention or Reaction?

You own or manage a retail business. Should you spend your time and energy preventing issues before they happen or deal with them when they do? Let's dive in. Prevention Prevention is the store manager servicing the equipment to avoid unplanned failure. It is the kitchen staff storing egg-based products in the refrigerator and frequently … Continue reading Prevention or Reaction?

March Madness: The Thrill of Sports Merchandising Victory

In-store merchandising programs that align with prominent sporting events can reap long-term wins for retailers and CPG brands. March Madness and NBA playoff promotions may run for a few weeks only, but they have year-round benefits. Let’s look at a few. In-store merchandising is a profits magnet Products selected for seasonal or promotional merchandising typically … Continue reading March Madness: The Thrill of Sports Merchandising Victory

In Your Words…Mystery Shopping Doesn’t (Really) Work

Bindy recently asked a retail audience of over 49,000 retail professionals an open-ended question: "Do mystery shopping programs work?" Members quickly answered. The answers are overwhelmingly mixed or downright negative on mystery shopping. While some praised the insights it brought, the majority argue that mystery shopping simply doesn't work. Let's dive in. as good as … Continue reading In Your Words…Mystery Shopping Doesn’t (Really) Work

Why Seasonal In-Store Merchandising Keeps on Giving

Seasonal in-store merchandising is like the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. Programs like Halloween and Christmas may run for a few weeks only, but they have year-round benefits. Let’s look at a few. Seasonal in-store merchandising is a profits magnet Products selected for seasonal merchandising typically come with higher built-in margins. Seasonal merchandising leads … Continue reading Why Seasonal In-Store Merchandising Keeps on Giving

10 Operational Failures That Hurt a Retailer’s Image and Sales

Christopher Fifelski recently posted this list of Top 10 Retail Failures to the District Managers and Retail Operations group on LinkedIn, a Bindy-moderated professional group with over 40,000 members. With his permission, we are cross-posting Chris’ list on this blog. We also thank the other industry professionals who have contributed to the discussion, including Adele … Continue reading 10 Operational Failures That Hurt a Retailer’s Image and Sales