In retail, convenience stores stand as a key channel projected to soar to £50.9 billion in value by 2026. As we navigate the complexities of 2024, the competition within the convenience sector intensifies, demanding innovative approaches from brands looking to secure visibility and optimise sales within these compact yet influential retail spaces. Over the years, EFMP UK Partners Field Sales Solutions have become experts in convenience, honing their expertise in this fast paced and competitive retail space.

Understanding the Convenience Landscape:

Convenience stores have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of consumers' daily routines, offering expedient shopping experiences. With consumer footfall remaining consistently robust, these outlets present an enticing opportunity for brands to capture impulsive purchases and encourage brand loyalty. However, the allure of convenience retail is accompanied by unique challenges, including limited shelf space, heightened competition, and the importance of swift inventory turnover. To overcome these obstacles, brands increasingly turn to field sales agencies who are instrumental in providing a strategic and targeted approach to maximising sales potential.

The Significance of Field Sales Agencies:

Field sales agencies bring a multifaceted approach to convenience retail, leveraging local relationships, optimising placement strategies, and executing effective joint business plans. Through personalised face-to-face interactions with store owners, they ensure long-term success on the shelves. Moreover, their teams are familiar with the store format, purchasing behaviour both in terms of RTMs and consumers, enabling brands to tailor their strategies to meet local demands effectively. In the dynamic realm of convenience retail, adaptability is paramount, and field sales teams provide real-time market insights, empowering brands to make informed decisions promptly.

Field Sales Solutions' Distinctive Strategy:

Field Sales Solutions has emerged as a frontrunner in delivering impactful sales campaigns within the convenience sector, earning accolades for their innovative and effective strategies. With over 350,000 visits into Symbol & Independent Retailers annually and driving a remarkable £100million through direct sales campaigns for their brand partners collectively, our UK partner exemplifies excellence in convenience retail. Their success is underpinned by:

1. Data-Driven Precision:

Utilising their proprietary DOORs database, and other key data sources, Field Sales Solutions orchestrates targeted, bespoke callage strategies tailored to specific brands, categories, and consumer demographics. This data-centric approach optimises client investment, ensuring maximal impact at every store visit.

2. Expertise and Relationship Building:

Utilising their expert team, Field Sales Solutions, operate nationwide field staff, who are known, trusted, and have proven experience in the convenience channel. The field teams understand the nuances of the stores they visit along with being empowered with training, tools and technology to help them win in store. 

3. Technological Integration and Innovation:

Harnessing cutting-edge technology, Field Sales Solutions integrates mobile applications, real-time reporting systems, and digital communication tools to enhance operational efficiency and engagement. From advanced augmented reality displays to immersive product demonstrations, their innovative techniques redefine the in-store experience, driving heightened engagement and sales.

The results speak for themselves:

Working with global brand partners, Field Sales Solutions have delivered a measurable difference.  Their achievements include:

• Launching NPD Soft drink to market: Gained 2,204 new stockists, exceeding the business target by an impressive 122%.

• BWS distribution drive: Secured over 2,000 brand facings incrementally, surpassing stretch KPI expectations.

• Ensuring legislative compliance against gambling commission standards: Achieving a compliance rate of 99.8%, surpassing the target of 95%.

• Distribution drive for leading energy drinks range: Selling over 9,000 cases into stores, elevating entry availability from 28% to 40% upon exit.

• Selling in NPD in innovation drinks category: Overachieving the new distribution stretch point target by an impressive 17%.

• Distribution measure FY22/23: Maintaining an average strike rate of 52% across campaigns.

The opportunity for brands in the convenience sector is undeniable, and looks set to be a key growth channel for brands for the foreseeable future. But as the channel gains traction, brands looking to navigate the complexities of this channel will benefit from partnering with field sales experts. Field Sales Solutions' award-winning strategy serves as a best-in-class approach for brands seeking to optimise their distribution, increase sales, and foster lasting relationships within the convenience channel. By embracing the local expertise, real-time insights, and relationship-building prowess of field sales teams, brands can position themselves for success in the competitive world landscape. 

Please contact Field Sales Solutions to explore how their wider Group can support you and drive your success:  Home | Field Sales Solutions