BI-LO USING OWN LABEL TO PEG BEST SELLERS

RICHARD TURCSIK

MAULDIN, S.C. -- Bi-Lo here is using its private-label pegged candy program to determine what types of candy should be added to the department.

Carol Ensley, private-brands manager at Bi-Lo, told SN the chain is deleting slow-moving items to make room for fast sellers.

"We are using [our private-label pegged program] as a testing ground to see which items are and are not moving. We will also use it to switch for holiday items," she said.

Ensley said Bi-Lo switched from the branded Farley line to its private-label line last year. The line, supplied by Shari Candies, Edina, Minn., currently has about 30 stockkeeping units. The product mix includes assorted nonchocolate items like jellies, bubble gum and mints, along with some name-brand items, such as Tootsie Rolls.

To better accommodate the private-label items, about five Brach's items were deleted and the pegged items were reset to give the Bi-Lo items a solid block.

"Our Bi-Lo pegged candy has been doing very well and sales are up over what the Farley and Brach's items were," she said.

"We use a header card that is a very vibrant red and yellow, and when the candies are all blocked together it makes quite a statement," she added.

Ensley said the line has a marked retail price of two bags for $3, although it is frequently featured in ads at 99 cents, and is regularly run at $1.19 a bag.