The Facts
Customer – ASDA
Result – The upgrade of the George at Asda baby section and the installation of digital showcases at 120 stores – were completed on time, to budget, and to the highest standards.
Timeframe – 6 Weeks
Start Date – 09/10/22
End Date – 23/11/22
The Challenge
The required works for this retail store rollout focused on two key areas; upgrading the George at Asda’s baby section in 90 of the 222 targeted Asda stores to create a unique and interesting shopping experience and adding a digital showcase aspect to 71 of 171 targeted stores to enhance customer interaction and engagement.
The George at Asda baby section fit-out involved the installation of new ambient display shelving, new low-level volume gondolas, display tables with display baskets and a new style point of sale, and feature halo lighting to give the whole department a nursery look and feel. The new style kit was designed exclusively for the rollout.
In terms of the digital showcase installation, Asda required fixtures to support the digital screens (supplied by a third party) which were installed in upfront locations of the store. The screens display the latest information and styles on offer in George, reinforcing the brand to the customer on entry and ensuring the department is not missed.
The Solution
Sigma received the request at very short notice and had two weeks to find and secure a suitable facility and a team to complete the works. As a highly trusted partner to Asda and with a proven track record of delivering major retail projects at pace, the Sigma team was ready for the rollout.
Because of the tight deadlines, manufacturing turnaround times from suppliers played a crucial role in the project. To ensure that the multi-location rollout ran smoothly, efficiently and to schedule, a coordinated approach between Sigma, Asda and other stakeholders was required. Sigma communicated with the six suppliers, expediting timeframes where necessary, and ensuring that all communication between the various stakeholders was handled quickly and proactively. Sigma were later asked to accommodate an additional 17 stores, keeping within the original time frames with only a three-week turnaround.
On some occasions, the turnaround time from suppliers was so tight that deliveries were coming in on the morning of the installation. Preparation was key to accommodate the turnaround times, the kit that had already arrived was picked and ready to leave so that the last few items could be added quickly, wrapped and banded then loaded onto the delivery vehicle. At times the vehicle delivering to the store would be on site waiting as the outstanding goods arrived.
At times, some short notice changes were required and palettes that were ready to go had to be stripped down in order to fulfil the requirements for another store. With an already tight timeframe, this added additional pressures for the Sigma team.
The Result
As a result of the efforts of the various parties involved, this retail store rollout enabled Sigma to streamline processes, completing the project to a tight schedule and with operations continuing uninterrupted throughout. The installs took either one or two nights per store depending on scope.
Sigma also completed all logistical aspects of the project and ensured that palettes were assembled as carefully and efficiently as possible in order to maximise space, mix and matching items from different suppliers. The Sigma team reworked and improved how they palletised throughout the project, based on feedback received from the contractors.
Additionally, as Sigma continuously seeks to reduce the environmental impact of its projects, the works were planned and implemented to be as efficient as possible. One dedicated vehicle per store, grouping deliveries for snagging elements and complete round-robin collections, creating a great cost saving.
The Sigma team’s flexible and dynamic approach and unrivalled expertise in delivering to the most demanding of schedules without compromising on quality meant that both aspects – the upgrade of the George at Asda baby section and the installation of digital showcases at 120 stores – were completed on time, to budget, and to the highest standards.