Dynamic store replenishment enables Ekoplaza to improve on-shelf availability
The availability of products on shelves surged to 98.7%, inventory levels dropped by 15%, and shrinkage decreased. Moreover, the introduction of dynamic store replenishment has brought a sense of calm to both the central purchasing department and the shop floor. “Out of all 53 supermarkets, not a single franchisee wants to revert to the old system,” says Commercial Director, Erik Jan van den Brink. Slimstock’s inventory optimization solution, Slim4, has laid the groundwork for these new processes.
Ekoplaza, a supermarket chain specializing in organic products, used to require its purchasing team to spend countless hours daily reviewing stock levels. Since successfully implementing Slim4 for both central planning and store replenishment, the situation has vastly improved.
Replenishment orders are now nearly fully automated, leaving franchisees with just a final quick check for approval. “Previously, ensuring timely replenishment orders caused significant stress for our franchisees,” explains Van den Brink.
Shelf Availability Soars to 98.7%
The new replenishment system has not only brought peace but also significantly enhanced on-shelf availability, which has risen to 98.7%. Concurrently, overall inventory levels have decreased by 15%, and Ekoplaza experiences less shrinkage. “With Slim4, we can better manage product shelf life. Slim4 predicts how many products will expire before being sold and alerts users. Planners receive notifications about these items, allowing them to make informed decisions.”
Planning Reduced to Two Hours Daily
An indication of the simplified planning process is that Van den Brink can now review all purchase orders for the central distribution center on his own, a task that previously required several full-time planners. “Each day, Slim4 provides purchasing recommendations and highlights exceptions. I review the list, make necessary adjustments, and then simply press the order button. On average, I can complete all this work in just two hours, which is remarkable for a company with a turnover of €130 million.”
Franchisees Remain in Control
While Ekoplaza supermarkets now use Slim4 for replenishment management, franchisees still oversee their store’s product range and inventory. Van den Brink emphasizes, “We provide a shelf plan, offer suggestions, and introduce new products, but franchisees remain in control. They can always intervene, whether to phase in or out a product, add new items, or determine delivery frequency.” The new Slim4 replenishment concept has been implemented across all 53 Ekoplaza stores, and everyone is satisfied with it. “No franchisee wants to return to the old system, so I’d say it has been a great success,” concludes Van den Brink.