How to Choose the Best Planogram Software for Your Retail Business
As some entrepreneurs choose to have a retail business, there are plenty of ways to optimize your sales, and one of them is, of course, product placement.
It is even shown in the research that 97% of the buying behavior in a retail store is determined by these aspects: shelf display, shelf position, and product assortment (Source: The Journal of Business).
However, in any case, if you find managing these objectives overwhelming, don’t worry as this is when the Planogram software aids you.
A digital application that helps retailers develop an appropriate visual representation of how the store layout ought to be so that the arrangement of the items is more systematic.
Given the many options available, choosing the best solution for your business’s unique needs can be challenging.
To help solve that dilemma, allow me to refer you to this blog that explores the main elements of deciding on a planogram software —find out more here.
How Do You Make a Planogram?
The purpose of a planogram is to balance space usage, increase revenue, and raise the overall shopping comfort level for patrons.
Here are a few steps below you can follow to create one:
1. Analyze your store’s layout and traffic flow:
The first thing that is needed to ensure before creating a planogram is how the layout of your store has been structured and how customers navigate it.
And also, determine which sections receive the most of their attention and those that tend to be ignored.
2. Determine product placement
After you have done the analysis, you may now decide where each individual item should go.
You can keep in mind factors such as the size, shape, and color of the product as well as complementary and substitute products that should be placed nearby.
3. Group products
You can create sections in which related products will be placed together to enhance the shopping experience for customers.
For instance, you can collect all the coffee items together in one group and all the tea items together in another set.
4. Create a visual representation
You can use planogram software or other tools to design your layout which will make it easier for you to know what the products will look like on the shelves when displayed.
5. Test and optimize
Once the approach and general planogram have been drawn up, it should be tested in the store and any necessary changes should be made.
You can also monitor sales figures and customer feedback to enhance the layout of the mart.
The data below showcases that the planogram software market has been witnessing rapid and substantial growth from 2023 to 2031.
What to Look for in Software for Planograms?
The software takes into account factors such as customer flow, product placement, and shelf space, which can be challenging to do manually.
Planogram allows retailers to drag and drop the images of the products they want to the store map and adjust them to suit their placement.
This ensures consistency in merchandising, improves the client experience, and increases sales and profits.
1. Ease of Use
Pick up software that allows you to quickly create and customize planograms to your preference with ease and that also without a steep learning curve.
To make a perfect decision to choose the best, go with a user-friendly interface, clear instructions, and helpful tutorials.
Selecting a tool that is easy to use will shorten your team’s learning period and help avoid mistakes in the future.
2. Customization
Each retail outlet is distinct, thus the software should address the business specificity.
Considering this aspect, search for a tool that allows you to customize shelf and fixture sizes, as well as the placement of individual products.
This way, you should be able to create planograms that reflect your store’s layout and product assortment.
3. Integration
Another very pivotal factor to consider when choosing a planogram solution is integration.
The point-of-sale (POS) system and inventory management software provide the most pivotal information for creating it.
Without seamless integration, retailers may have to manually update their apps, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
In addition, if they are not integrating this app with POS and inventory control systems.
Then, the retailers may lose a lot of valuable data on patterns in sales and customer interactions which can result in missed opportunities for deals and loss of revenue.
4. Reporting and Analytics
To make informed decisions about your store layout and product placement, you need access to data and analytics.
Looking into this requirement, you must look for one that can give detailed reports on how sales are, how the inventory is, and even customer interactions.
In Outcome;
Without these features, businesses risk losing out on valuable insights that can help optimize deals and improve operational efficiency.
However, with proper reporting and analytics, your company can identify trends, track performance, and make data-driven decisions that result in increased sales and client loyalty.
Therefore, you must choose a planogram solution that incorporates robust reporting and analytics capabilities.
An example of retail planogram software
5. Customer Support
When searching for vendors, look for those that will be able to provide full support over the phone and via email, as well as online tutorials and documentation.
This will ensure that you can receive assistance when required and that the agent is committed to your success.
6.Comprehensive solutions
As your business continues to grow, investing in an all-inclusive automated system will be beneficial in the long run.
One that can run automate tasks such as inventory management, streamline payments and customer service, and provide real-time visibility and analytics.
For example, retail space planning software can utilize the same data as other apps without other work needed to coordinate the two systems.
Having one vendor offer a variety of solutions can help you cut expenditures that would otherwise go into the integration of multiple systems that will never be fully compatible.
Do You Know? There are 9.1 million online retailers in the world, and 2.5 million of them are in the United States.
So How Would You Choose the Best Planogram Software
As businesses develop, they often encounter hurdles regarding inventory management, more complex layouts, and even store locations.
That’s when the right Planogram Software comes into assistance to help you handle these all; here’s how to choose the best one:
A cloud-based planogram solution
A cloud-based planogram solution has the potential to mitigate these challenges since it allows for the remote control of merchandising plans.
This ensures consistency and compliance with merchandising regulations and set standards across all marts.
Also, it allows you to avoid extra costs from system integrations and software transitions.
This way it prevents disruptions and costs tied to migrating to the new app, which often requires extensive data transfers and staff training.
LEAFIO AI Planogram Optimization Solution
LEAFIO AI Planogram Optimization Solution is a comprehensive, cutting-edge option for all your space planning needs.
It provides macro and micro space planning, optimization, and real-time communication between the head office and retail locations.
In addition, it offers a mobile app for store employees, comprehensive analytical reports, and performance-oriented technical support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, picking up the proper planogram software is pivotal for optimizing the layout of your store and the convenience of customers.
The right one consists of features such as ease of use, customization, integration, reporting and analytics, and client support.
Also, when you pick up reliable software that meets your business’s unique needs, it assists in maximizing sales and improving the consumer experience.
