IC&G is officially launching a fully-fledged planning and fixturing service for retailers.
The Dorset-based publisher, which won the Gold award in The Henries 2020 Best Service to the Independent Retailer category, for the fifth year in succession, has been working towards offering a planning service for customers for the last few years.
“When I joined the company three and half years ago we put together a five year plan and expanding into offering a credible planning service was very much part of that,” revealed IC&G sales director Tony Roberts. “We have worked on strengthening and broadening our product offer while maintaining the high levels of service which our customers have come to expect,” added Tony. Another clincher was when experienced greeting card planner, Jade Scholes joined the IC&G team earlier this year.
Now with over 1,000 card designs in its portfolio, IC&G could feasibly fill a 40’ card display on its own, but Tony feels that the vast majority of the stock control plans will see the publisher accounting for around 50% of the space with the other designs provided by other publishers of the retailers’ choosing.
“We can obviously advise on the mix, but are very happy to work with any publishers the retailer customers select,” says Tony. “Now more than ever retailers are seeing the benefits of controlling their stock. Having drawers rammed with cards is just wasting their money.”
As well as the planning service, IC&G is also offering PoS, fixturing options and installation.
While this month is the official launch of the service, the publisher has in fact already installed planned displays in 14 retailers’ stores over the last few months, providing fixtures too for 12 of them, with great results.
“Definitely the best decision I have ever made for my business,” Iqbal Zubair, owner of Bonnie Balloons & Party in Larkhall, Lanarkshire told PG Buzz. “Our card sales have increased 30%-35% since the replan. I’m delighted to have worked alongside Tony and the ICG reps in developing a new floor plan and card display. They made the process simple, straightforward and stress-free.
The planned display has extended my range, flows well with its layout, fits perfectly and is really eye catching. Every single customer has had nothing but positive feedback and has definitely helped to increase the foot flow for the store. I couldn’t be happier with it all,” added Iqbal.
Tony feels hopeful that IC&G will install stock control plans into 50 retailers over the course of next year.
“It feels like we going from the top of the Championship and into the Premier League. It’s so exciting!” he says.
Top: Bonnie Balloons & Party has seen its card sales increase 30-35% since the IC&G replan.
