Sainsbury’s has introduced a raft of new measures aimed at improving efficiency and availability levels in its stores.
Several trials are currently underway at its recently refurbished superstore in Cobham, which it hopes to roll out across its store estate.
The supermarket enjoyed a dramatic improvement in its availability performance over the past year, with average availability rising from 92.5% in 22/23 to 94.1% in 23/24, as tracked by the Grocer 33. Only Tesco scored better, with 94.6%.
Sainsbury’s availability has improved further in the current Grocer 33 year, which started in July – currently running at 94.8% on average – following the completion of a long-term project to implement a new Blue Yonder forecasting system this summer.
CEO Simon Roberts has previously described the system as a “game-changer” and is keen to build on the improvements as part of his Next Level strategy. Many of the trials focus on making the replenishment process more efficient.
For example, Sainsbury’s has rearranged the warehouse area at the Cobham store so that bestselling lines can be restocked in “no more than 60 steps”.
Like many of its mainline rivals, it’s also increasingly borrowing lessons from discounters Aldi and Lidl in how its shelves are stocked. For example, last year it began displaying heavier items like beer crates on shipping pallets rather than shelving units, making it easier for colleagues to refill.
Other products like bleach, coffee and tins are increasingly displayed on shelves in the same boxes used to transport them.
The supermarket is also rolling out spring-loaded and push feed merchandisers across a number of categories. The systems push new items to the front when one has been retaken, making levels easier to monitor. Many of the new merchandisers also display products standing up, which has the added benefit of making aisles look more appealing. Items are also easier to spot for shoppers.
Sainsbury’s aims to refurbish 180 of its largest stores over the next three years, and rebalance the layout of its convenience network. Cobham was reopened in June, and, along with its recently refurbished stores in Witney and Talbot Green, acts as a test bed store for more than 100 new formats being trialled ahead of the rollout.
Also on trial is a new hybrid checkout system aimed at attracting more bigger trolley shops. A new beers, wines and spirits section has been moved to the middle of the shop, and fitted with more cameras and sensors to crack down on theft.
To boost efficiency, Sainsbury’s has also replaced paper and cardboard signage in aisle, with new lightboxes. The change is designed to make it easier for store staff to rearrange aisles, as well as cut down on paper waste.
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