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.

"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
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.

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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
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
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. 
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.
We 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
Covid-19 turned the world on its head. We're defining new norms and what once made sense, is up for individual assumption and acceptance. Especially throughout the United States. The Real Estate market had an astronomical increase rate over the last two years with no signs of correction, pet shelters' inventory is at an all-time low (YAY!) and auto-lots are practically begging people to trade-in their vehicles; almost making non-classic cars an appreciating asset. Analysts are on a non-stop statistical hunt with our consumption and spending.
What about shopping trends within retail?

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Topics:
Remodel,
Merchandising,
Retail,
trends,
Distribution,
cpg,
product movement,
boost product sales,
product cut-in,
resets,
front-end management,
retail re-alignment,
in stock at the front end,
stay in stock,
Data Collection,
#storelevelexecution,
#restockingstores,
Retail Stores,
Restocking at Retail,
COVID-19,
Coronavirus,
#cpgcompanies,
Grocery,
TNG Retail Services,
Team Members,
store resets,
covid grocery category increases,
grocery retailers,
in-store execution,
grocery industry change,
grocery retail renovations,
Makeup,
makeup aisle,
beauty aisle,
increase sales,
merchandise organization,
Behind the scenes
Retail stores go above and beyond your standard product
SAS Retail Services doesn't just stock, reset and remodel. We assist local retailers in transforming their stores into elite gyms. Just think of how else we can ramp up your store!
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Topics:
Remodel,
Merchandising,
cpg,
product movement,
one contact for merchandising,
resets,
CPG companies,
set up displays quicker,
culture,
people powered,
#peoplepowered,
Retail Stores,
Restocking at Retail,
#cpgcompanies,
Albertsons,
TNG Retail Services,
Team Members,
Teamwork,
grocery retailers,
grocery retail renovations,
#possible,
Event,
#movers&shakers,
stocking back rooms,
merchandise organization,
setup,
#Tokyo2020,
Conversions,
Behind the scenes,
breakdown