SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Schultz Sav-O Stores here expects that store upgrade, marketing and operational initiatives begun in the past year will help reverse a downward sales trend.
d one franchise remodel this year, according to its 1995 annual report. Also, a corporate store sold and converted to a franchise unit in February is targeted for a major expansion and remodel. At the end of 1995, Schultz operated 19 Piggly Wiggly stores and serviced 66 franchise units.
The Piggly Wiggly Preferred Club Card, a frequent shopper card introduced in 1995's fourth quarter, is expected to help boost store traffic, shopper loyalty and micromarketing, the report said. This year, the company also plans to start an Internet home page for Piggly Wiggly called the "Pig Site." In operations, Schultz replaced its transportation fleet with new higher-cube trailers and fuel-efficient tractors to boost distribution efficiencies and customer service, the report said. In January, the company formed PW Trucking, a wholly owned contract and common carrier subsidiary, to enhance shipping efficiency and produce incremental revenues.
Schultz Sav-O's net sales fell to $439.6 million at year-end 1995, from $446.4 million at the end of 1994 and $469.6 million at year-end 1993, the annual report said. Net earnings in 1995 rose 8.1% to $5.8 million, from $5.4 million in 1994 and, $4.8 million in 1993.
"In looking back over 1995, I believe that the company has made great strides in operational efficiency, cost controls and development of our retail support program. We are positioning ourselves to reverse the sales trends of the past few years beginning in 1996," James Dickelman, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in the report.