How do you encourage customers to shop, but also get them to do it quickly and efficiently?

We all experience management on many different levels. Many agree good management begins with communication. What we do not always realize is communication is a very broad term which stretches far beyond person to person. Especially in a technologically advanced world, communication is available on so many different platforms. At TNG Retail Services, we combine technology and communication every day to make our services and our clients’ management capabilities the best.

Essential Services are synonymous now more than ever with the year 2020.  Everyday items and tasks once seen as instinctual, are now scrutinized and strategized.  The public demands a constant supply of these services but are at the ready to analyze HOW people involved are acting in their surroundings. 

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the retail and grocery ‘worlds’ stepped up their game.  There was no option of shutting down, only ramping up.  Delivery and carry-out service initiatives were made high priorities.  An increase in personnel and hours were needed to fulfill new procedures.  All of this done with low-inventoried cleaner, gloves and masks.

The impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing economic and public struggles leaves the Country feeling divided and unsure of where we will all end up.  Many of us are left wondering, how do we proceed?

Ever wonder why supermarkets look the same, or how and why product location is universal to certain retail chains?

TNG Retail Services is one of the top experts when it comes to inputting merchandizing plans and executing Planograms, or as the industry gurus would say, POGs. POGs are used in the merchandising industry as an organization tool for stores to take their visual standards and make them come to life!

It’s why you as a consumer can walk into chains across America and know your way around without too many interruptions. Sometimes you’ll see a POG in action with empty shelves, or aisles temporarily denying access. We as consumers may find it troublesome, and scoff at the ‘Please excuse our mess’ signs, but what we don’t see are the many people who make these ‘disaster zones’ turnaround in a matter of hours. What we see as inconvenient, they see as a puzzle, a plan and then a well-executed, team-oriented work-of-art.

TNG Retail Services will be participating in a career fair October 9th, 10th & 15th in select Northeastern coastal cities.  As a way to bring the opportunities directly to the public, this fair will showcase project work, flexible schedules and the potential for permanent part-time positions.  

With the  demise of Toys R Us, there is has been a void left for the toy shopper. It is an opportunity for retailers, new to this product category, looking to play in this space and perhaps, leverage their customer base. Whether for impulse buys or planned purchases, toys could help you drive store traffic and increase sales.

If you're thinking of adding toys to your mix, whether in a small way, or you want to revamp your store to add a dedicated toy section, consider your customer shopping path along with the display and placement strategies unique to your retail environment. Alternatively, you may just want to capitalize on that prime toy-shopping time and set up a seasonal toy section. Regardless, TNG Retail will maximize your efforts by executing on your vision. Our reset teams can get you in the game, and if necessary, regular merchandisers can ensure replenishment throughout the season.  

Leveraging the hottest, trending now, and seasonal toys that your customers desire is definitely filling a temporary marketplace void. Brick and mortar stores have an opportunity to capitalize on this now, however, wait too long and that void may be filled by new shopping habits.

For more insights check out this article on LinkedIn: "Where Have All the Toys Gone"

Our company looks forward to the future and is excited about continuing to lead in the retail and merchandising space. These are growing areas for us as we see new solutions for our customers.

Below is a press release from the Jim Pattison Group:

"JIM PATTISON GROUP AGREES TO SELL U.S. MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION RELATED ASSETS TO AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY, LLC

VANCOUVER, November 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Pattison Group (JPG) today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its United States magazine distribution business (TNG), including their interest in The News Group LP, to American News Company, LLC (ANC). The sale is expected to close by December 31, 2018 at which time executive management, and the approximately 1,500 employees of the acquired businesses, will transition to ANC and continue to oversee the day-to-day operations.

Do you need to remain competitive in today's hyper-competitive retail landscape? Are your shoppers not as excited today, when shopping in your stores? Have you lost shoppers to that new store that just opened up down the street? And, are you thinking about updating your retail locations as one of strategies to employ to reinvigorate your brand at retail?

I recently came across the study, “Total Retail 2015 - Retailing in an Age of Disruption”, which was extremely insightful. It highlighted the complexity, the challenges, and the opportunities resulting from the current retail disruption. Retailing is becoming an omnichannel experience with the physical store as only one part of that experience.

Even Retail Operations Needs Alignment
Here are just a few statements from the study which highlight how different things are today: “Today the customer is driving every facet of the shopping journey. The reality is that customers know what they want and expect retailers to provide it. Every retailer must consider how they can provide the unique experiences their customer’s value. The most successful retailers will be the ones that understand their customers best and have changed their strategy, operating model and infrastructure so that they evolve as customer needs evolve.”^1.