SAS Retail Services Blog

Celebrating Our Associates Daily

Posted by Anita Baldwinson on March 3, 2023

Associate Appreciation Day eCards (Instagram Post (Square))

Celebrate today, yes, but...
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Topics: #retailexecution, #peoplepowered, #SupermarketEmployeeDay, #SupermarketHeroes, #possible, Behind the scenes, #WeAreSASRetail

Consumption Pattern Changes Drive Change at Retail

Posted by Anita Baldwinson on January 23, 2023

When I look at the headlines of what's happening at retail, it looks like this year, like most, will not be immune to change. While inflation is softening (finally), consumers will continue to make shifts in order to best take care of their families and finances.

africans-at-supermarket-2021-08-31-23-51-34-utc

"Asked how they were dealing with the higher prices, 57% of respondents said that they were buying less food, 52% said that they were buying less expensive store brands, and 48% said that they were buying less expensive national brands. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said that they were shopping at less expensive grocery stores".1

Our collective experience over the last few years created trends

The last few years have also given rise to new routines and new consumption patterns. In a recent article, "Where are Consumers Heads - and Wallets - This Year?" two trends jumped out that highlighted opportunities at retail:

"With consumers refocusing their priorities during a stress-filled decade, Euromonitor emphasized the emerging importance of short-term buying approaches that often include surprise-and-delight items. Euromonitor’s experts recommended that businesses create campaigns targeting special occasions and offer instant gratifications that can still fit within budget constraints."2

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Topics: planograms, #retailexecution, #retailpartners, #momentofpurchase, Behind the scenes, space planning

Great Advice for Working Parents and Those Leading Them

Posted by Anita Baldwinson on August 31, 2022

SAS CODA

The other day CODA, our DE&I Council was joined by Ginger as well as Our House, Working Families ERG for a panel discussion to help our company's parents and those that lead them. Here are some themes and suggestions that emerged during the conversation.

Being a parent provides us with some of life’s most precious moments, but it also can present challenging ones as well. For working parents, juggling responsibilities at home with a career can certainly be stressful. As we approach another school year and many working parents transition back to the office, the family dynamic may be changing once again!

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Topics: culture, #retailexecution, #peoplepowered, Retail Stores, Mental Health, #M.E.D.S., #MEDS, Mental, Peer-led, #ourdifferencesmakeusstrong, Diversity, SAS Retail Services, #WeAreSASRetail

Let's Celebrate the Top Women in Grocery!

Posted by Megan Reinertson on June 15, 2022

The Top Women In Grocery (TWIG) is an award that recognizes some of the most influential women in the industry.  All across the United States, hard-working and dedicated women put their best feet forward each day to ensure success with their business, co-workers and the retail space itself. 

ProgressiveGrocer_TWIG22_LOGO

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Topics: Merchandising, culture, #peoplepowered, Team Members, Event, #movers&shakers, Behind the scenes, SAS Retail Services, Associates, Top Women in Grocery, #TWIG

RED NOSES ARE BACK AT WALGREENS

Posted by Megan Reinertson on May 26, 2022
Happy Red Nose Day!
tomato-g5399af1b5_1920

You've seen them.  The bright red rubber and foam noses engulfing the faces of many to spark a smile and give back.  Smiles are contagious, and these red beams of light have lifted spirits and spread the message in the U.S. since 2015. 

We enter the 7th annual fundraising event, solely focused on child poverty and a path to a better future for children all across  the World! But, what once was one full day of fundraising programs and entertainment is now extended throughout the year.

With the help of several major partners and vendors, Walgreens remains the exclusive retailer supplying the signature red noses.  100% of any donation goes toward the Red Nose Day Fund, and it's 2022 grantee partner, Children’s Health Fund. Even more, Walgreens will match any one-time donation up to $150K through May 26th, 2022. 

SAS is proud to be a supporting partner for Walgreens!  Help for children is needed in all shapes, sizes and locations.  Visit a Walgreens near you and pick up you iconic red nose today!

 

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Topics: Merchandising, donations, Retail Stores, Health, SAS Retail Services, SAS Retail, #rednoseday, #endchildpoverty

Supply-Chain and Labor Stresses, Stress Everyone

Posted by Anita Baldwinson on March 3, 2022

The other day I went grocery shopping. I took a small cart and began my usual path through the store. I didn’t find Mandarin oranges, so I asked a helpful clerk if they had any. He mentioned that while there were on promotion the next day, but had not arrived, citing supply-chain issues. I continued on with my shopping. At check out, I was presented with a bill that was higher than expected. ~ By a lot! I was aware we are experiencing price inflation but was completely caught off guard.

In fact, we are seeing the highest inflation in years. Currently, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) inflation in the US is at 6.8%1. While the drivers of inflation are complex, it does make sense that prices are increasing when supply-chain issues and unprecedented labor shortages are straining the system.

Web-In-store-work

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Topics: Merchandising, culture, inflation at retail, supply chain issues

Your Health is Yours

Posted by Megan Reinertson on January 27, 2022

Noun_Project_bowl_ salad_by_Anna_IvanovaWe begin a new year, and with it comes the motivation to "be better", to "do better".  We take what we learn from our previous and apply our own changes in order to improve ourselves.  This is what is important. As unique individuals, "better" isn't the same for everyone, and while there are some universal truths, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, reducing stress, and moving your body, there are many diverse thoughts as to how to accomplish those things. 

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Topics: culture, #peoplepowered, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Team Members, Well-being, Health, Exercise, Diet, Sleep, Mental Health, #M.E.D.S., #MEDS, Depression, Anxiety, #wereinthistogether, Mental, food, heart healthy, Beauty, Diversity, SAS Retail

Somewhere, Over the Philadelphia Skyline

Posted by Megan Reinertson on December 23, 2021

I grew up in  very small town.  So small, that I knew every first, middle and last name of every student in my graduating class.  Mostly because I had grown up with the same classmates since kindergarten.  It was a sort of community where change rarely happened, and when it did, an opinionated wave of uproar and rabble spread, regardless of the change's origin or intent.  

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Topics: Remodel, Merchandising, Distribution, product movement, resets, retail sales data, CPG companies, national merchandising coverage, Data Collection, technology, #retailexecution, #storelevelexecution, #peoplepowered, Retail Stores, Restocking at Retail, jobs, hiring, Grocery, Teamwork, store resets, grocery retailers, new store set-up, grocery retail renovations, Event, merchandise organization, setup, Behind the scenes, in-house solutions, SAS Retail Services, SAS Retail, Labor, The Giant Company, New jobs

Innovating at Grocery. GIC Event Lessons Prove Valuable.

Posted by Megan Reinertson on November 18, 2021
Grocery Innovations Canada's Live@home 2021 event was a great way for SAS to get a foot in the door, and create some dialogue within the retailer space.  After only a year operating in Canada, SAS Retail Services has acquired a seat at the Canadian retailers' table.  Along with the new products showcased, there were some interesting presentations. 
 
One such presentation titled: "Uniquely Ours", Harold Lloyd discussed the creation of "mini departments" within stores that could become powerful customer attractions and increase the experiential shopping feeling within grocery environments. He presented 40 ideas, stores only need to apply a few and they would already be on their way to creating experiences that are unique. Below is an idea for creating excitement around the grab-and-go sandwich. Screenshot 2021-10-26 104138
 
Other presentations focused on the labour shortage in Canada and provided ideas on how to improve recruiting and retention in the grocery space. One of our favourite quotes from the event was "Bottles, boxes, cans, and jars day after day is mind-numbing, we need to create memorable moments for our teams and give them something to look forward to." ~ Harold Lloyd. 
 
"There are a lot of exciting new products, technologies, and business opportunities that have come through even with the pandemic. This technology also includes the ability to partake in a tradeshow via online platforms. Without these advancements, we would not have been able to have such a successful tradeshow experience... It was, overall, an informative event, and I believe it really aided in getting our name [SAS Retail Services Canada] out to potential retailers in the market."
                                                  -Sabrina Bulfon, SAS Retail CAN Manager
 
Even though there was a primary focus on Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG,) this year's event saw many retailers searching the virtual floor for technological support.  And, SAS' presence secured not only a name for retailers to turn to, but was successful in securing a relationship with one of Canada's grocery retailers. 
 
Time and time again, it comes back to the shopper/customer experience... When we look to that and satisfy that, everyone wins. Our innovations in our service offerings and our SAS ReboticsTM technology help retailers do that."
                                              - Anita Baldwinson, SAS Retail Marketing Director
 
With local being such a hot topic these days, we loved this idea. This retailer showcases local products at their front-end and, the great thing is one of our services is to help retailers realize their own original experiential creations through resets and renovations. 
 
Local_Products_Showcased_at_RetailWe look forward to building our solid presence throughout Canada as an innovative service provider.  No matter your projects, path, or business needs, SAS Retail can make your vision #possible. 
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Topics: Merchandising, cpg, boost product sales, front-end management, in stock at the front end, CPG companies, Data Collection, compliance, #storelevelexecution, #restockingstores, Restocking at Retail, hiring, store conversions, grocery retailers, new store set-up, Virtual, Online, Behind the scenes, custom software solutions, in-house software, SAS Retail, Innovation, GIC, Canada

SAS LAUNCHES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS AT GIC 2021

Posted by Megan Reinertson on October 22, 2021

Invitation

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Topics: compliance, technology, Grocery, grocery retailers, #possible, SAS Retail Services, #WeAreSASRetail, Innovation, Virtual Tradeshow, Out-of-stock, invaders, GIC, Efficiencies, Labor, Canada

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