WDS Showing Large Sales Increases

The AWMA-sponsored Warehouse Delivered Snacks program is off to a strong start and it’s time for industry to reap the benefits of increased sales and profits, said Kit Dietz, president of Dietz Consulting, in a roundtable discussion with REAL DEAL EXPO attendees.

"Let’s face it, cigarette volume continues to decline, which is a huge hit to the bottom line. We need to grow profitable categories outside of cigarettes, and the multi-vendor endcap [MVE] is a great way to do this," Dietz said, noting that 1,200 locations are now implementing the MVE, with incremental sales increases. One distributor saw retail sales increase for the endcap snack brands by 114 percent.

Dietz also announced plans to encourage retailers and distributors to work together to build an area in stores that displays new products only. "These products could be on display for 60 to 90 days, as determined by the retailer and by the success of the product. The goal is to rotate new products and keep generate consumer interest and excitement," said Dietz.

AWMA’s Warehouse Delivered Snacks Committee is leading the charge on the MVE program and has been working to implement the concept throughout the convenience industry.