Jacksons ups customer service with new space partnership

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Jacksons Food Stores is looking to serve and retain customers with a new space-management partnership.

The Meridian-based company, founded by John D. Jackson in 1975, announced on Sept. 12 it was partnering with Scottsdale, Arizona-based Blue Yonder, a supply chain and store layout management company.

According to a release issued by Blue Yonder, Jacksons was looking for a way to automate and improve its category management capabilities from manual processes.

Blue Yonder’s platform, once put into use throughout Jackson’s stores, will allow the company to operate a modern category management process, which, Blue Yonder stated, will allow quicker time between strategic planning and execution; be more strategic with space allocation based on data and analytics, improving customer experience; and providing each store with specific assortment and shelf placement.

“We are focused on providing customers with the service, products and convenience they need ― when, where and how they want it,” said Cory Jackson, president of Jacksons.

He added that implementing Blue Yonder’s category management solution with the aid of Plantensive, a retail planning company, “will allow us to meet the needs of each of our stores, serving the unique needs of each of our communities.”

Jacksons Food Stores have more than 300 convenience stores coupled with gas stations in seven western states, employing around 3,000 people. They have an inventory of 5,000 products per store.

Blue Yonder stated that its service will allow Jacksons to maximize the space in its stores and stay ahead of inventory.

“Jacksons needed a category management solution that could adjust as customer preference and localized demand changes,” said Vince Beacom, senior vice president of retail for Blue Yonder. “With (our service) they can build and maintain store-specific planograms to drive more localized assortment and efficient execution, resulting in increased sales.”