The Co-operative Group Delivers Retail Business Transformation with JDA

Leading British consumer-owned co-operative successfully deploys JDA Category Management solutions as the first phase of its multi-year strategy to enhance management of a retail range at over 2,500 food stores – supporting the community retailer’s work to get closer to its members and customers, what they need, when and where they need it, conveniently.

The Co-operative Group, known as the Co-op, a British consumer-owned co-operative with a diverse family of businesses, has embarked on a retail business transformation, working with JDA Software, Inc., to revitalize its category management processes as the first phase of its multi-year strategy. The Co-op has deployed a wide range of JDA® Category Management solutions to centrally manage a retail range spanning over 2,500 food stores.

The Co-operative Group, trading as The Co-op, retail businesses include Food Retail; Online Electrical; Insurance Services; Legal Services and Funeralcare. It is the largest consumer co-operative in the UK and owned by more than 4.6 million active members.

The Co-op strategy involving getting closer to the needs of its members and customers, what they want, when and where they need it. One of the objectives of their business transformation project is to enhance its category management business processes, upgrading to the latest version of JDA Space Planning, Floor Planning and Category Knowledge Base for an end-to-end streamlined approach to managing its retail stores from floor to shelf.

“The first phase of our business transformation will set the stage for our advanced, sophisticated retail supply chain strategy that will drive increased consumer experience and choice through improved availability and better decisions,” said Michael Fletcher, Retail Chief Commercial Officer, The Co-op. “With a goal of always delivering what our members and customers want, and getting closer to their needs, our powerful JDA Category Management solution footprint enables us to anticipate shopper demands with agility and speed. We look forward to continuing to build on this robust foundation as we continue to deliver our strategy.”

The Co-op worked with a collaborative team from JDA and partners Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Deloitte for the first step of its multi-phased transformation. Now, The Co-op can automate planograms to meet increased store localization needs, and collaborate with downstream teams and suppliers ensuring they are delivering accurate and early stocking information for each diverse store. The Co-op now has sharper insight into shopper behaviors at the macro and local market level. This level of visibility will improve the way The Co-op plans store and space layouts and provide tailored assortments to each store, elevating the customer experience.

“Maintaining competitive edge and anticipating shopper demands is more important than ever, and meeting those demands the first time is absolutely critical for retailers today,” said Johan Reventberg, president, EMEA, JDA. “We’re pleased to enable such a critical piece of The Co-op’s retail business transformation by underpinning it with our best-in-class category management solutions that will give them the right balance of right item, right store, right time, with the efficiency and agility they need in a challenging and dynamic retail sector.” 

The Co-Op will be speaking at JDA FocusConnect 2018, next week in Barcelona. Their session, entitled “Enabling the Co-op’s Ranging Strategy through JDA Category Management Application” will be held at 1:30 on Thursday, November 8.

Additional Resources:

• Join JDA at JDA FocusConnect in Barcelona, November 6-8, register now!
• Learn more about JDA Category Management solutions in this brochure