[ad_1]
Retailer Game has announced its new future-ready concept store at the Mall of Africa in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The new store is part of Game’s overall recovery strategy, after owner Massmart in July noticed 1,800 jobs at its Game stores were threatened, months after it closed losses and generated losses at Dion Wired.
“Our new store concept goes beyond providing a modernized look and feel, and rather encapsulates the direction in which we are moving toward our broader change as a business,” said Andrew Stein, vice president of Game.
“We are making positive progress in our turnaround while staying true to our value proposition for our price-sensitive customers, who expect not only a wide range of products, but also quality, at unbeatable prices,” he said.
Innovations
Some of the innovations to be tested include:
- Self-checkout counters;
- Price check booths;
- Sample vending machines;
- Electronic shelf labels;
- Free Wi-Fi for customers in store.
The store will also feature a children’s play area, digital touch screens that will allow shoppers to access information on Game’s products and product ranges, and interactive demonstration areas in the various store categories where consumers can try out products. such as strollers, children’s bikes and electronics.
“Gambling is changing the way we operate within our stores, the design of our stores, our product ranges, category proposals and customer service,” said Stein.
Improved operational efficiencies
Stein said the concept store will include an intuitive floor layout that will make navigating the store easier. It will also include self-checkout counters that will allow the buyer to skip the queues at regular checkout points.
In terms of improved operational efficiencies, additional technologies are being introduced, including:
- QR codes: These allow the customer to scan QR codes to access information about the product, as well as the option to buy the product online and receive it;
- ESL: This technology provides personnel with information on factors such as the sales rate, the days of stock coverage and the location of the stock in the warehouse;
- Intelligent Tags: These labels facilitate the monitoring and management of the stock in the warehouse;
- Trackmatic Phase two: This technology not only allows Game to track the trucks that are transporting stock, it also provides the retailer with better visibility of the type and volume of stock being transported;
- Intelligent Camera Solution: This allows Game to manage waiting time for customers in stores, as well as to secure its receiving bays for stock.
Stein said Game has also made a recent move to the SAP S4 / HANA system, which substantially improves the retailer’s data analytics capabilities, business process efficiency, and integration with its online store.
“This also means that we will be able to ensure an optimized variety of products according to the demographics of individual consumers in each of our stores,” said Stein.
Game will also introduce new and expanded categories as part of its turnaround strategy, all of which will be available in the Mall of Africa concept store, including clothing, party solutions, parenting, best-selling children’s books, safety at the home and wellness.
“While we are testing the Game’s reinvented format with the Mall of Africa store, we plan to roll out two more future-ready stores by the end of the year. Along with our other strategic plans, such as the phase-out of Fresh and Frozen from 65 stores by November and the introduction of our clothing range, Styleessentials, in all Game stores by 2021, ”said Stein.
Read: Woolworths earnings fall on lockdown restrictions
[ad_2]
