Our recent “The Perfect Planogram” story struck a nerve with readers, with strong social media engagement and overall readership.

It got us to thinking about another to ask you, the space planner, as well as the category managers in the audience.

So here’s the question we posed to people in our industry:

Describe, in your words, the ideal partnership between Category Management and Space Planning.

Here’s what you told us, with a bonus word cloud below to get a visual of some of the most popular words and phrases used.

Answers were edited for clarity and brevity.

James Aldape, Space Planning Manager, Pabst

Insights from Category Management teams inform the Space Planning cycle to create sets that are better tailored to a retailer’s shopper. This ensures the best opportunity to create a profit opportunity in your retail partnership.

Tracy Allen, Sr. Director, Space Management, Walgreens

The ideal partnership between Category Management and Space Planning is very similar to any strong, happy, healthy relationship. It includes trust; trusting each other’s expertise. It includes accountability; holding each other accountable and taking accountability. And it absolutely must include clear, consistent, honest communication.

Aaron Fidler, Advisor, Scalene Group

The ideal partnership between Category Management and Space Planning is focused on a shared set of data and KPIs that guide towards the targeted commercial outcomes for the chain. Category management brings the overall view of a category that considers key trends, the health of the category, overall assortment and supplier relationships, and other major factors. Space Planning translates that into actionable plans on a store-by-store basis and looks across categories to find the optimal use of space for the store while incorporating local customer preferences, store-specific constraints, and overall strategic objectives. As an example, consider Paper at an office supply retailer. We found that shelf space needed for (city) locations was significantly less than what was needed in more suburban locations. The range was relatively similar, but inventory was reduced as businesses in city locations often placed large paper orders online for delivery instead of going into the store. This allowed space planners, who work across the entire store, to allocate that extra space to other categories that sell well in inner-city locations.

Richard Harris, Director of Sales, Retailigence

Category Management and Space Planning are distinct but complementary processes essential for optimizing sales and profit. Category Management focuses on ensuring the right products are continuously available to meet customer needs, while Space Planning balances available space across categories to achieve business goals. If Category Management demands more space for a category, Space Planning evaluates and executes this need. Conversely, if Space Planning suggests a space change, Category Management adjusts the product range accordingly.

Reg Jigins, Director of Client Services & Product, Scalene Group

From my experience in helping retailers improve processes such as Range Reviews, the best outcomes occur when Category Managers and Space Planners collaborate seamlessly. This requires clear processes, defined accountabilities and aligned objectives and incentives. Placing the customer at the center of decisions foster better discussions, while accurate data and insights support informed decision-making. Ultimately, the ideal partnership is characterized by smooth collaboration, a customer-focused approach, and data-driven strategies.

Phil Joergensen, Category & Customer Insights Manager, ITG Brands

In my view, the ideal partnership between Category Management and Space Planning is marked by seamless communication and shared objectives. Both teams should collaborate closely to ensure optimal product placement, driving sales and customer satisfaction. By leveraging data-driven insights and aligning on strategic goals, they can create a shopping environment that maximizes space efficiency, enhances the shopper experience, and always puts consumers first!

Kevin Lu, Project Leader, Scalene Group

Category Management and Space Planning are dance partners performing on stage to customers. Only when the two bring forth their best skills and toolsets in harmony will the show sellout. It is the joint effort to wow customers that yields world class success.

David Van Der Horst, Project Leader, Scalene Group

The ideal relationship between Category Management and Space Management is one where the two are intrinsically linked and providing each other real-time feedback. Category Management can govern the strategic objectives of the category within wider merchandise and organizational objectives. Space Planning can implement those strategic objectives, expressed through optimized use of space. Through active monitoring of space performance, Space Planning can provide feedback to Category Management where misalignment between strategic objectives and customer activity is emerging.

Priji Vijayakumar, Project Leader, Scalene Group

The best examples of Category Management working well with Space Planning is when both areas have clear understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities and work with each other to achieve the optimal outcome. Category Management should be fairly commercial, and bring in the outward view, while Space Planning should have a very data-driven view and a more inward focus. The consistent and robust use of data from Space Planning should be taken onboard and Category Management can provide the intimate Category insights.

Word Cloud