While classic category management techniques are difficult to transfer from the dry grocery areas into perishables, help is available to operators:
rt and workbook. The workbook contains category planning templates for tactile, financial and category plans.
Bakery -- In addition to IDDBA's program, the Retailer's Bakery Association, Laurel, Md., also tracks successful methods retailers have used to achieve category management.
Dairy -- Dairy Management Inc., Rosemont, Ill., has a wealth of U.S. Department of Agriculture, A.C. Nielsen and Information Resource Inc. data available for milk and milk products, including cheese, butter and ice cream. DMI's Dairy Dollars newsletter also offers category management information. Consumption and trend information is also available to help retailers take data to actionable methods.
