FAQs about Planograms

What is a planogram?

A planogram is a diagram used by retailers that shows the composition of products or services on display for the purposes of maximizing sales. A planogram may use SKU numbers or product images to indicate the placement of specific items. These diagrams are almost always part of a larger planogram system. Thus, a planogram is also a set of visual schematics for product listings that can be used to design the layout of a store or the range of various products and product categories. These schematics can represent shelves as well as other kinds of merchandising displays.

What does POG mean in retail and merchandising?

In retail and merchandising, POG simply means planogram. But just as the definition of a planogram can be viewed as an image of products on display or a set of schematics for designing these images, the exact meaning often depends on the context. Planogram, planogramming, or planogrammer, POG is both the result and the process for creating that result. In retail and merchandising, it’s common to pack all these meanings into an acronymic shorthand…How’s the POG looking?

What is a POG merchandiser?

POG merchandisers are responsible for implementing merchandising strategies through the design and deployment of planograms. While many people are involved in the POG process, not everybody is a planogram merchandiser. A retail store manager, for example, is more likely focused on operational efficiency and planogram compliance than the nuances of visual merchandising strategy. By comparison, a POG merchandiser is more concerned with the potentially dramatic sales effect in making subtle changes to the planogram design. These merchandisers must also determine how to maintain those supply chains that are performing the best in the store.

What does a planogram analyst do?

Whether called planogram analyst, planogram supervisor, planogram manager, or just planogrammer, these jobs often involve a combination of analytics and operational tasks. This is typically the person responsible for all things related to inventory, product flow, product placement, category management, and POG merchandising. While they can be either, a planogram analyst is more likely to be an employee hired by company; a planogram consultant is more likely to be an outside contractor.

What is planogram compliance?

Planogram compliance is exactly what it sounds like. It’s making sure the shelf space allocation in your store matches the planogram design. All the best planning and design elements, including deep-dive market research, can be for naught if the reality in the store doesn’t adhere to the planogram. There are all kinds of reasons for errors in planogram compliance. Sales associates may be negligent. Sales managers may have their own theories about how to maximize sales. Suppliers with their own bottom-line in mind may have found a way to manipulate your shelf space allocation. Most major retailers have planogram compliance teams that go from store-to-store measuring the planogram compliance rate.

What is planogram maintenance?

Planogram maintenance is a big part of planogram compliance. It means recovery for strewn items and product facings that are askew. It means clean floors, walls, and fixtures. And it means the right signage in the right place. It’s also important to periodically update the planogram design itself as part of this POG maintenance. Sales trends change, but even if they don’t, it’s imperative to get customers to walk around as much of the store as possible and to take a fresh look at the items on sale in your store. To maximize sales, planograms must be adaptable enough to keep pace with dynamic merchandising goals.

What is category management in retail POG?

Category management is the identification and strategic deployment of different product categories and sub-categories. Where is the best place for the produce department? If there’s a shortage of ketchup inventory, what condiments and products are the best alternatives for this shelf space? How does the placement of cheese products impact cracker sales? Effective category management requires identifying these product categories, their role in your store, their potential to increase total sales, and the supply chains that fulfill these categories

Scorpion Software

Once you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to start implementing a planogram system for your store(s), retail brand, or as a product supplier. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience in retail and planogramming, you’re going to love our planogram software. In our planogram Gallery, check out the types of solutions Scorpion can offer your business with our planogram design, 3D viewer, automation, category management, and IT security.