Hobby market chain in Panama

• Founded in 1990
• 26 hobby markets
• Average store size 3,000 m²
• 25,000 products in the database

Michael Cohen  |  CEO

When did you start using Quant?

We started our first implementation in the mid of 2020.

Do you remember your expectations at the time?   

We had modest expectations. In fact, we had already tried to implement a different system for store planning. We knew how challenging and lengthy this process could be, especially in our business model where the assortment is constantly changing. Our main goal was to make it easier for customers to shop in-store and to introduce a more organized category layout.

What was your main motivation for looking for a system to manage categories, planograms and sales space?

Because we have so many items and different product categories, our stores look disorganized and are somewhat difficult to shop in. We needed a tool that would help us communicate with our 26 stores where and how to present our assortment to improve the customer experience.

What were the biggest obstacles? How did you overcome them?

The most difficult was, as with most projects, getting the right people on the team. This is not easy in Panama because there is very little experience in this sphere, which makes it difficult to select members of the implementation team. There has been significant turnover in the team that specializes in planograms and we continue to do so, but the implementation has moved forward. I believe that one of Quant's strengths is that it is very clear and its linear project management allows a team member to pick up where another left off.

How was the implementation of the system and what were the first results?

It was challenging, especially given the ongoing pandemic. The first benefit was that the implementation of Quant forced us to re-evaluate our product assortment, find duplicates and eliminate unproductive items.

How do you upload data into Quant? Have you been able to set up automatic data transfers between Quant and your ERP?

Product information is automatically uploaded daily from our SQL server. With the exception of measurements and images, which are uploaded via Quant Web.

How has Quant Web worked for you as a tool for publishing planograms and communicating with stores?

Since we have more than 25 stores, Quant Web has been one of the main benefits of the implementation as it has allowed us to easily but very efficiently connect with each store. During the implementation, we discovered how productive this communication channel could be, and at that point we decided to move forward with implementing the shelf labels module for all stores.

What are your favourite reports and analyses?

We don't currently use many reports as we are still in the process of creating planograms. In addition, we believe it will take us until at least 2023 to take the next step beyond basic store plans.

In 2021, you started using the Shelf Label Management in Quant. Can you describe how you've been managing those until then and what was the main reason for deploying shelf labels from Quant?

Until 2021, we were using two price tag management tools. The first was a basic ERP barcode generator that we used for shelf and hook tags. The second was for all our promotional and more detailed price tags, which we generated manually using Word and printed individually according to a prepared format. We decided to implement Quant Shelf Lables because our existing barcode price tags did not provide the necessary information we wanted to include, and action price tags were very time consuming. In addition, we had little control over what the stores printed.

Can you describe the results of the Shelf Label system implementation?

Although it was not the original goal, Shelf Label Management has been the biggest success so far in our Quant implementation. We now have a more organized process for all price changes and a much better track record of implementation in stores. In addition, our labels are more informative, include price expiration dates, QR codes, and are helping to improve the overall customer experience.

"The most significant result was the complete implementation of the Shelf Label Management. We are still far from completing the implementation of planograms, but the entire process is well defined and deployed."

You began testing Quant Task Management in early 2022. Can you describe the main reason that led you to start looking for a task management system? What do you think are the main advantages of an integrated Quant Task Management system over other systems that offer a separate task management solution?

Having had such success with Shelf Labels Management, we saw great potential in Quant as a communication platform with our stores. Quant Task Management was a natural next step for us because it offers multiple store-level solutions in one platform, which contributes to more efficient store operations. Task Management also allows the entire organization to get two-way feedback and serves as an integration tool to connect headquarters with stores and vice versa.

Can you describe the main benefits of using Quant?

The main benefit for us has been the visibility. It has allowed us to better communicate with our stores about the customer experience we expect.

How do you rate the quality of support?

The level of support and flexibility of the Quant Retail team was key to the success of the implementation. The process of implementing planograms is very time consuming and not very standardized. Each retailer has to adapt and so does the tool. Quant Retail does a great job of guiding their customers through this journey.

What are the best results of the project so far and what are your next goals for space planning and category management?

The most significant outcome has been the complete implementation of the Shelf Label Management system. We are still far from completing the implementation of planograms, but the whole process is already well defined and deployed. We have therefore overcome the most difficult challenge. Our plan is to continue to improve the implementation of planograms. We are now starting to work with vendors on implementation for individual brands at store level.

Shelf Label Management

A more organised Shelf Labels change process

Deployment of Quant Task Management

Overview of implementation in stores

Easier communication with stores

Better customer experience