DCS Group launches webinars on wholesale and convenience coronavirus opportunities

• The first webinar involved direct conversations between customers and DCS account managers

• DCS aims to advise retailers on how to capitalise on a shifting consumer trend to shop locally

DCS Group has launched a series of webinars to educate wholesalers and convenience retailers about the sales opportunities the coronavirus crisis presents for the personal care category.

The distributor said by stocking the right range of goods convenience stores would be well placed to capitalise on a shifting consumer trend to shop locally, where increased footfall has seen sales of some personal care lines surge by 300%.

The first of the webinars had 50 attendees, with buyers from 21 convenience and wholesale customers, and covered ‘Destination Convenience’.

It consisted of two half-hour channel insight briefings, led by DCS chief commercial officer Clare Bocking and head of category and insight Matt Stanton, followed by direct conversations between customers and DCS account managers.

Advice included stocking ‘main shop’ packs sizes alongside top-up sizes and taking a lower margin to grow overall profit.

DCS also provided advice on ranging higher-value and margin lines such as branded pregnancy tests, smoking cessation products and skincare lines.

“To become a destination store and win the share of main shop missions, convenience retailers need to offer shoppers more than just top-up,” said Bocking. “This means offering larger main shop pack sizes, premium tiers, and new adjacent categories. We are delighted with the results of our first sales webinar and have set up further events for the next few months. The team has worked with our customers to identify key product range gaps and opportunities for growth, and agreed new listings by the end of the following day.”