In a strategic move to further strengthen its customer-centric approach, Coop Group, one of Switzerland’s leading retailers, has expanded its partnership with supply chain solutions provider Blue Yonder. The expansion will extend Blue Yonder’s Category Management capabilities to Coop’s DIY retail brand, Jumbo, enhancing efficiency in space management, assortment planning, and store operations.

The decision comes amid ongoing challenges in the retail sector, including shifting consumer behaviors, inflationary pressures, and global supply chain disruptions. Building on a successful deployment of Blue Yonder Category Management in its supermarket division since 2018, Coop’s latest initiative aims to bring the same level of data-driven precision and automation to Jumbo’s operations. The rollout was supported by Strategix, a trusted Blue Yonder implementation partner.

Founded over 160 years ago, Coop has evolved from a small consumer cooperative into a major international retail and wholesale group. In 2024, the company reported revenues of 34.9 billion Swiss Francs (approximately $40 billion USD), supported by a workforce of 97,000 employees and a network of 2,400+ physical stores alongside robust online sales channels.

“Coop acts with a deep sense of responsibility towards its people, regions, and ecosystems, and we are committed to delivering both quality and a diverse range of brands and products we can be proud of,” said Alexander Senft, head of IT Merchandise Management Masterdata, Coop. “Category management excellence is vital for providing value to our customers, which is why we were excited to extend our collaboration with Blue Yonder and Strategix. Expanding the deployment of Blue Yonder Category Management to include Jumbo’s 125 points of sale underscores our dedication to innovation and focus on our demand-driven strategy, ensuring we continue to effectively meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Driving Efficiency Through Automation

Using Blue Yonder’s advanced Category Management tools, Coop has already realized notable improvements in its supermarket operations. The system generates around 5,700 automated planograms annually for key product categories such as fresh bread and meat, allowing the retailer to tailor shelf layouts to specific store needs while maintaining category standards.

With plans to roll out similar automation across more product categories, Coop aims to extend these benefits group-wide, including within Jumbo.

“Thanks to Blue Yonder Category Management, a key advantage of automated planogram creation is the efficient integration of new products into store shelf planning. This capability allows us to plan exactly where new items will be placed and determine the appropriate stock levels for each store. As a result, we can now establish the initial quantities needed for orders, streamlining the introduction of new products across the supply chain. In addition, the solution leverages sales data to optimize product placement and quantity on shelves, enhancing the overall efficiency and value of the stocking process,” said Senft.

“We take pride in our long-term collaboration with the Coop Group and are excited they chose to extend their category management footprint for their DIY division with us,” said Fredrik Prada, vice president, Retail – EMEA, Blue Yonder. “Our Category Management solution provides Coop with the necessary speed and agility to keep up with customer demand and constant industry changes so they can stay ahead of their competition and meet business goals.”

Key Benefits Realized by Coop:

• Operational Efficiency: Fully automated inventory optimization frees up category managers to focus on strategic tasks, improving overall productivity.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Access to shopper behavior analytics enables smarter assortment and placement choices.

• Customer Experience: Store-specific product assortments create more personalized shopping experiences, improving satisfaction and brand loyalty.

• Profitability and Sustainability: Better-aligned assortments help increase sales, reduce waste, and support more sustainable retail practices.

By continuing to invest in intelligent retail technologies, Coop demonstrates its commitment to delivering tailored, efficient, and sustainable shopping experiences across its diverse retail portfolio.