Pricewatch Celebrates Second Anniversary with Gander

Pricewatch Celebrates Second Anniversary with Gander

Retail Tech Insights | Thursday, November 23, 2023

Pricewatch Group, the family-owned and operated independent group of forecourts and convenience stores located across Sussex, is celebrating its second annual anniversary with leading food waste reduction app provider Gander.

Since launching the Gander app in its stores in the autumn of 2021, Pricewatch has hit a number of significant milestones on their second anniversary.

Stay ahead of the industry with exclusive feature stories on the top companies, expert insights and the latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.

In the two years, the group has successfully marketed and sold 169,000 reductions through the Gander app with a staggering 120,000 user interactions already identified.

Claire Goddard, Marketing Manager at Pricewatch, says: “Investing in retail technology has had an extremely positive impact on our stores' shopper behaviour. Previously, our sell through rate was 57% but since adopting Gander, our sell through rate has increased to 86%, a huge increase of 51% with no other changes made in store.

“As food prices have increased over the past two years, the Gander platform has really helped shoppers in our area manage their food bills. We’ve seen how some have had to change the way they shop and now save money by spending it on reduced food. This has helped us promote ourselves as a value retailer amongst our customers.”

Gander uses real time technology to highlight reduced to clear food items in stores near homes. It has the ability to reach thousands of people in the vicinity of a store, allowing shoppers to drop in and pick up a great price on selected products while enabling retailers to reduce their food waste at the same time.

“Gander provides us with real time information on reduced to clear food items, enabling our local shoppers save money on weekly food bills, whilst helping us reduce food waste,” she adds.

“As well as displaying reduced to clear food products in real time, Gander automatically removes sold items from the live feed of all in-store reductions. This is a huge benefit because it means our shoppers using the app are never disappointed when they reach our stores.

“We see our stores regularly selling over 86% of our reduced food, which means the more people see the products available on Gander, the more they come in to store and buy them.

“We have made a commitment to reduce food waste and increase recycling within our business. Since working with Gander, we have seen how this has helped improve our margins while also supporting our local community.

“Reducing food waste also has a huge impact on the environment and its positive effect cannot be ignored. We have saved 177 tonnes of CO2 in two years - that's the equivalent of 177 hot air balloons across the sky - imagine the sight!

“The app has been brilliant, and I would urge any retailer looking to change their shoppers buying patterns to invest in it. It has really helped us reduce food waste and become a more sustainable business whilst allowing us to connect with our local customers from the comfort of their home,” says Goddard.

The Gander app integrated seamlessly with EDGEPoS, the EPOS system Pricewatch works with. The app’s real-time technology will allow Pricewatch to achieve significant cost savings while reducing stores food waste.

Stacey Williams, Head of Customer Engagement and Business Development at Gander, adds: “We are proud to partner with Pricewatch and we are delighted that our app technology is helping consumers in Sussex.

“As a leading forecourt and convenience store operation, it is exciting to see how well Pricewatch has adopted the technology. We look forward to working with Claire and the team well into the future so they can achieve their goals to reduce food waste and support local consumers to maximise their shopping budgets.”

Earlier in 2023 Gander enhanced its user experience by unveiling a series of new features. These include the ability for consumers to search by location rather than just specific stores, an optimised interface to improve useability and the ability to view additional store offers.

As many consumers continue to contend with rising costs, Gander aims to help families across the UK and Ireland to save money by providing real time information on yellow labelled food items in local convenience and forecourt stores.

Williams adds: “The new functionalities provide an enhanced user experience. The app’s new features allow consumers to faster locate yellow labelled foods, not only in store but right across their local area.

“Gander is committed to reducing food waste and to helping consumers to manage their shopping budget. Data from our Ganderlytics analytics platform, which is available to independent forecourt and convenience retailers, has shown that, on average, consumers using Gander save around 56% on their food shop.

“The app recognises the potential to help households make the most of their shopping budget. Its live feed displays thousands of reduced products to consumers, allowing them to filter by dietary requirements and preference,” he concludes.

Since launching in 2019, Gander has partnered with 548 stores across the UK and Ireland in a bid to reduce food waste and transform bottom lines.

Integrating directly with retailers’ point of sale systems, the app provides an easy solution to reduce food waste by delivering real time information on reduced stock into the palm of the consumer’s hand.

 

 

More in News

Fremont, CA : The retail sector is one of the most important industries in the world. Its established nature makes it especially vulnerable to the effects of technological advancements. In recent years, retail companies have made significant progress in utilizing technology. One major development in this area has been the rapid growth of big data analytics. Big data refers to data sets that are too complex to be managed effectively with conventional techniques. While there is no universally accepted definition, it typically pertains to the extensive data sets generated by large contemporary organizations. The vast magnitude of big data necessitates the utilization of advanced computer-based technologies for collecting, organizing, and analyzing information. Over time, these technologies have become increasingly cost-effective, making them realistically available to businesses of nearly all sizes. Companies like KW International , as highlighted in Retail Business Review , leverage these tools to turn complex data into actionable insights, enabling smarter decision-making, improved customer experiences, and optimized retail operations. Challenges Faced by Retailers in Utilizing Big Data  The utilization of big data presents significant challenges for retailers. Several factors warrant careful attention when leveraging extensive data sets within a retail context. Ensuring Data Accuracy  In data collection, it is crucial to focus on acquiring the appropriate types of information and employing the most effective collection methods. Poor-quality data can result in misleading conclusions, rendering it more detrimental than advantageous. In retail, key data types include sales figures, customer traffic, profit margins, inventory levels, and the success of marketing initiatives, among others. The diversity of data sources further complicates the situation, as various techniques must be employed for effective data collection. Adhering to Data Protection Standards and Legislation  An increasing initiative is aimed at safeguarding customers' privacy rights, as evidenced by the recent enactment of various legislative measures. As the complexity of these laws and regulations escalates, retailers face significant challenges in ensuring full compliance. Consequently, any efforts by retailers to collect analytical data must be executed with meticulous attention to legal stipulations.  In addition to meeting legal obligations, managing data responsibly to prevent unauthorized sharing with third parties is a challenge. This may include implementing secure storage solutions, establishing comprehensive company policies, and providing staff training on data handling practices, among other measures. Establishing Sufficient Trust among Customers  For a retail enterprise to effectively gather customer data on a significant scale, it is essential to cultivate a certain degree of trust. This can be achieved by offering exclusive advantages to customers in return for their data, such as discount coupons. A crucial aspect of this endeavor involves strategic branding and advertising, which fosters a connection between customers and the brand. Additionally, it is vital to ensure secure data storage, refrain from improper usage, and maintain transparency with customers regarding the information that will be collected. ...Read more
Supply chain management has traditionally depended on demand forecasting to help companies anticipate consumer needs, optimize inventory levels, and enhance operational efficiency. However, new trends in demand forecasting are reshaping how businesses approach this crucial task, influenced by technological advancements and the dynamic changes in the market. Traditional forecasting methods often overlook essential factors for sudden market shifts or external influences, as they mainly depend on statistical models and historical data. In contrast, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) revolutionize demand forecasting, enabling more accurate and insightful projections. The advanced technologies enable businesses to create dynamic forecasting models that continuously learn and adapt to new data, improving accuracy over time. Companies can better anticipate changes in demand, reduce forecast errors, and make more informed decisions. Retailers, manufacturers, and supply chain managers can access a wealth of data from various sources, including sales transactions, customer behavior, social media interactions, and market trends. Businesses can uncover hidden correlations and trends that traditional methods might overlook. Cloud computing has transformed many aspects of business operations, and demand forecasting is no exception. The holistic view of the market allows companies to create more accurate and nuanced demand forecasts, leading to better inventory management, reduced waste, and improved customer satisfaction. Cloud-based platforms like Bango , highlighted by Retail Business Review , enable businesses to store and process large volumes of data, collaborate across departments, and generate real-time, on-demand forecasts. By leveraging AI and ML-driven demand forecasting, companies can enhance supply chain efficiency, respond quickly to market fluctuations, and deliver a superior customer experience. Real-time forecasting involves continuously updating predictions based on the latest data, allowing businesses to react swiftly to demand fluctuations. On-demand forecasting enables companies to generate forecasts as needed rather than relying on a fixed schedule. The flexibility is precious during periods of uncertainty or unexpected events, such as economic downturns or supply chain disruptions. Businesses can maintain agility and stay ahead of the competition. Modern demand forecasting models are increasingly incorporating external factors that influence demand. The factors include economic indicators, weather patterns, geopolitical events, and social trends. Businesses can create more comprehensive and accurate forecasts. A manufacturer might consider economic indicators to predict changes in consumer spending. A retailer might adjust its demand forecast based on upcoming weather conditions, anticipating increased sales of certain products during a heatwave or snowstorm. The approach fosters greater transparency and alignment, ensuring all parties understand demand expectations clearly. Collaborative forecasting can improve accuracy by combining insights from multiple stakeholders with different perspectives and expertise. Cloud-based forecasting solutions offer several advantages: scalability, flexibility, and accessibility. Technological advancements, such as cloud-based platforms and data integration tools, facilitate collaborative forecasting by enabling seamless data sharing and communication. Supply chain partners can create more accurate and reliable forecasts, improving supply chain efficiency and customer satisfaction. Companies can enhance their forecasting accuracy, improve supply chain efficiency, and better meet customers' needs in an increasingly complex and competitive market. ...Read more
Custom retail packaging is critical in shaping consumer perceptions, reinforcing brand identity, and enhancing market appeal, all of which can significantly impact a product's success. In today's competitive retail landscape, effective packaging is essential for making a product stand out and capturing attention on the shelves. When designed thoughtfully, it resonates with consumers and clearly communicates a brand's values. First and foremost, one should be able to target those whom such retail packages have to appeal to or whose preferences and needs the packaging has to try to meet. Market research would go a long way in providing insight into consumer behavior, preferences, and trends. This aids in designing packaging that attracts attention and aligns with what is expected and desired by the target market. The other crucial ingredient is brand identity. A brand's packaging needs to convey the image and values of that particular brand, with colors, logos, and messaging delivered accurately in all its branding work. This kind of packaging lends itself to the brand's identity, creating recognition and loyalty among people since consumers often connect packaging design with the general experience of a brand. Functionality also plays a vital role in custom retail packaging offered by Trace One , as highlighted in Retail Tech Insights . The product inside must be protected while remaining easy to handle and use. Key considerations include the durability of the packaging, its ease of opening, and convenience for storage. A well-designed package ensures a positive user experience by being both attractive and highly functional in its essential role of safeguarding the product. Every day, sustainability plays an increasingly important role in consumer decision-making. Eco-friendly packaging options are great for the environment and for tapping into a vast, growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers. Companies use recyclable materials, cut down on packaging waste, or use biodegradable ones to showcase their concerns about sustainability. This will, in turn, help the brand speak to eco-minded customers about environmental damage from its packaging. Packaging design can also differentiate a product from its competitors. Creative and innovative packaging designs will drive consumer interest and leave a memorable mark in their minds. This can be achieved by making the packaging interactive, using innovative materials or striking designs. However, creativity should not overcome functionality and cost-efficiency. Cost is also another major factor in packaging design. Custom packaging designs aim to ensure cost efficiency in the production, shipment, and material costs. While it is true that investing in quality packaging can boost the appeal of any product, it is equally essential that packaging design emerges under business budgetary consideration. Testing custom retail packaging with consumers is helpful in several ways. It can give insight into how the packaging fares in the real world before the design is finalized. Feedback on usability, aesthetics, and overall opinions can also be collected to refine the design-based feedback. ...Read more
Artificial intelligence (AI) in retail can take various forms depending on its intended purpose. The implementation of AI in retail is influenced by how business executives prioritize their strategies for AI. Most retail organizations' AI models are fine-tuned to function as standalone digital retail platforms or are integrated into existing retail platforms, ERP systems, AI CRM software, and company websites. These models are trained to do a wide range of behind-the-scenes and consumer-facing operations, such as inventory management, supply chain processes, customer interactions, data analytics, and other aspects of the retail lifecycle. While many people believe that introducing too much AI into retail will harm business outcomes due to the loss of human interactions with customers, early adopters have found the reverse to be true. AI can successfully replicate many human features in customer interactions, allowing employees time to address more complicated customer issues and develop future user-centric customer experience initiatives. Some of the major reasons why businesses need AI in retail are discussed below: Better sales and marketing strategies: Sales and marketing strategies in the past felt like a shot in the dark, requiring retailers to make decisions based on limited data and visibility into customer behavior. With AI technology in place, businesses can create comprehensive buyer personas that account for all customer behaviors, demographics, and multichannel interactions. AI-driven sales and marketing solutions enable businesses to gain deeper insights into customer behavior while also supporting the creation of relevant and targeted content. Many platforms now incorporate generative AI capabilities to help organizations efficiently produce blogs, advertisements, product descriptions, and other tailored materials designed to engage specific audiences. Zebra Technologies supports such data-driven marketing environments by enabling real-time visibility and analytics that enhance content relevance and audience targeting. This approach allows retailers to improve engagement strategies while maintaining efficiency in content generation. Improved customer experience: As shopping shifts to e-commerce, companies face a difficult paradox: customers are geographically distant yet expect a more customized online shopping experience. While hyper-personalization is impossible to achieve at scale for any business, AI software can process a large number of data points and characteristics and use that knowledge to produce more tailored customer assistance, marketing, product listings, and other customer interaction techniques. Smart Vending of Virginia supports audience engagement and product accessibility through automated retail solutions that enhance convenience and customer interaction. Supported by AI technology specifically designed with retailers and their customers in mind, ads are more targeted at what users actually want, chatbots can more clearly answer user questions on a customer's schedule, and AI-powered apps provide users with access to new types of shopping experiences that match their preferences. Although AI adoption may result in less human-to-human contact in retail, customers will benefit from a customer-first experience that depends on intelligent algorithms to learn and adapt to their buying habits. ...Read more