VST Brings Planogram Access to Co-op Suppliers

British-based retail technology company VST has today announced a new partnership with convenience retail chain Co-op, giving the latter's branded suppliers direct access to its planogram data through VST's Planogram Publisher platform.

VST (Virtual Store Trials) provides software products for virtual shelf and pack testing, planogram visualization and planogram data analytics for shopper insights and category management teams. The Planogram Publisher software was launched with Tesco and dunnhumby in 2022, and allows CPG brands to visualize and optimize in-store execution.

Co-op, a member-owned business operating thousands of stores across the UK, has recently formed a Group Commercial and Logistics division, with a remit to deliver 'a market leading buying experience' for suppliers. Opening up the chain's planogram data will allow suppliers to see exactly how and where their products are merchandised across its estate, which the firm says will help drive better investment decisions, accelerate activation, and ultimately grow category sales.

The firms plan to trial the new system for four weeks with five suppliers, then roll it out across the Co-op supplier estate. VST CEO and founder Nick Theodore comments: 'For years, planogram data has been an underused asset in retail. We're excited to announce our launch of Planogram Publisher in partnership with Co-op. It's a big step forward in making Co-op's planogram data available to their most strategic CPG partners to unlock category growth across their stores.' Tom Bradley, Commercial Director at Co-op adds: 'As the leading UK convenience retailer, our aim is to run the best small shops providing quality products and great value for our members and customers, and to do that we need cutting edge processes and data access behind the shelf edge. This new partnership will give brands direct sight of planogram data which will remove friction, and create transparency, enabling smarter conversations and more agile execution.'

VST is headquartered in London and works primarily across the UK, EMEA and North America, with a web site at www.storetrials.com .