News from Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association

Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter

(January 27, 2012 - February 2, 2013)

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As I See It...

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We demand a lot from our sales reps.

Sometimes they stock shelves, put up signs, do samplings, unload trucks maintain displays, cut new products into the shelves and even do an entire shelf or cooler reset.

We as liquor store operators are their customers, but we should still take the opportunity to say thanks for working so hard in the store.

I want to share a program with you I have been doing for about 4 years. It's called the "MVP Program" It stands for Most Valuable Partner.

I believe every sales rep we have is a partner in our retail operation. They step foot in our operation usually every week working for us, and this program is an opportunity to say "good job."

When we get a new rep, we sit them down and tell them how we would like to see things done. At the end of the year my category buyers come to me with a selection for who was their best rep. The only rule I have is it cannot be the same person 2 years in a row, otherwise our favorite beer guy would win it every year and we like it to be competitive.

I have a plaque in the store and we give the rep a plaque as well. I also email a letter to the reps' superiors letting them know they have a good employee on their hands. One company game the rep a $250 bonus because they won this, another was mentioned in their company newsletter.

I spent 13 years as a beer rep before my 12 years managing municipal liquor stores, so I understand some of the reps work quite hard and deserve a pat on the back.

Hopefully after a few years the reps who have never won come and ask why they have never been picked. That can lead to an interesting conversation.

I hope 2013 is great year for all of you!

Tom Agnes - BC Liquor

Wirtz to Launch New Customer Service Model

As of Monday, February 4th, 2013 Wirtz Beverage Minnesota is proud to announce the launch of our new, streamlined customer service model.

A key element of our new approach is the advent of a new, dynamic software program at Wirtz which will translate into improved order accuracy, pricing and customer service levels for you.

It will be one of the most significant business shifts you will see to date, complementing our recent organizational changes in the market. In all, its functionality will help us maximize our service levels and ultimately help your business grow.

Experience has shown that this transition does not come without hard work and challenge. But, its application and performance in our other operations has proven it is well worth the effort.

Investment in this system is another example of the Wirtz family's steadfast commitment to Wirtz Beverage Minnesota's long-term success.

In the weeks and months ahead, we look forward to capitalizing on the advantages it will provide. We thank you in advance for your support and willingness to adapt to our new processes, systems and ways of working.

Right now, there are a lot of good things happening here in Minnesota and we believe we are positioning ourselves for a strong future with each of you.

Thank you all for your continued dedication and commitment.

Sincerely,

Julian Burzynski, SVP

10 Types of Merchandise to Put on Clearance

By Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor

Shopworn: Items that visibly show dirt, dust, yellowed packaging or items that have faded in the sun or are just plain OLD.

Seasonal: Items that were only appropriate for the holiday and didn't sell aren't worth storing for next year.

Loners: If you only have one left, clear it out. It will only get lost among your newer SKUs.

Demos: Items you used to display, demonstrate, or feature in a display that are or have been out of their packaging.

Out of Fashion: Trends that came and went often don't come back for a long time.

Duplicates: Multiple lines of the same type of merchandise leave you overbought. Eliminate the slow movers.

Vendor You No Longer Buy From: You won't be reordering, and that money can be reinvested in your better sellers.

Lower 20%: Always cull your lower 20% of SKUs in each of your various categories.

Too Specific: Don't hold on to old accessories for an item that was once popular.

Overbought: Mistakes happen. Items you have just too much of should be brought into line with sales.

While on a Road Trip, an Elderly Couple...

While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch.

After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip.

When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes.

By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around, in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.

All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man.

He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive.

The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up for a single minute.

To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.

As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her,

While you're in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card.

Great leaders don't blame the tools they are given. Great leaders work to sharpen them.

Future Dates to Remember!!