ACNielsen Completes National Picture for Four Sq.

ACNielsen Completes National Picture for Four Square

Scanning Data Total coverage of 290 stores with over $500 million in retail sales per annum

Auckland, Foodstuffs, New Zealand’s largest retailer, has been working closely with ACNielsen to expand their provision of Four Square sales data to cover total New Zealand, providing ACNielsen with the ability to provide manufacturers with a complete picture of this important chain.

By end of August 2005 ACNielsen will be delivering total scan data for the Four Square chain across New Zealand with the addition of South Island data to the current regions of Auckland Province and Lower North Island. “We are pleased that Foodstuffs recognises the importance of capturing total market sales within their Group by actively working with ACNielsen to develop and deliver this service,” said Alistair Watts, Managing Director, ACNielsen Pacific.

“Four Square is a key chain within the convenience retailing sector in New Zealand and provides an area of growth opportunity for manufacturers. It is increasingly important for manufacturers to capture seasonal opportunities that Four Squares provides in key holiday destination areas in order to grow their businesses in a tough, competitive retail environment”, he said.

Tony Carter, Managing Director, Foodstuffs New Zealand, commenting on the expansion of the serivce, “As Foodstuffs moves towards the next era in supermarket retailing in New Zealand, the Four Square offering has emerged as an important player in the market, linking Foodstuff’s rural and urban coverage”.

“This ACNielsen service will provide manufacturers with in-depth understanding of the sales dynamics within the group, enabling clients to isolate opportunities for growth,” he continued. “I see this as a major step towards expanding FMCG Manufacturer’s knowledge of the traditional convenience sector. Foodstuff’s looks forward to the mutual benefits this increased understanding will provide.”

His sentiments are supported by Alan Malcolmson, General Manager, Retail Operations, Foodstuffs South Island.

“We are very pleased that ACNielsen are now processing our Four Square South Island scan data information. We currently have 90 Four Square supermarkets throughout the rural South Island and their combined sales make up approximately 10% of our total group retail sales.

“It is of interest that a number of suppliers have previously requested ex warehouse sales to this group as they believe that by understanding the sales mix of the Four Square Supermarkets, they achieve a better understanding of the volume this group moves and options to maximise their sales within this group.

“I’m sure this new information will be of value to the New Zealand supplier base.”

About ACNielsen ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world's leading marketing information provider. Offering services in more than 100 countries, the unit provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behavior. Clients rely on ACNielsen's market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns. To learn more, visit www.acnielsen.co.nz

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