Foodies, Metro`s fast growing convenience-store franchise chain, has chosen Ixchange`s SaleAbility point-of-sale system, which is part of Ixchange`s enterprise management solutions suite Ability, to be rolled out to more than 40 stores in Gauteng and the Free State.
Foodies GM Tony Bell says the chain, launched in July 1997, is expected to have 100 stores countrywide by the end of 1999. SaleAbility will be implemented in all stores.
The chain was established when Metro realised the independent small cafe owner was moving from cash and carry into credit and delivery. "We wanted to give small traders a solution to a declining independent cafe market," says Bell. "The main differentiators in the convenience franchises today are marketing, positioning, financing and design.
"Technology is a key factor in helping convenience stores stay competitive. The small independent store owner cannot afford to keep up with technology, but by joining a franchise, he is given the computing power and the management support to make him profitable."
Bell says retailers` key need is an intelligent stock management system. "You can`t have that unless you have a scanning system with back-office capabilities. That enables you to manipulate shelf space, and that gives you the intelligence you need to optimise stockholding.
"Foodies needed a system that could communicate with head office on a daily basis so that stock levels could be checked, not only by the franchisee, but also by head office, since it is our job to replenish stock. With turnover of between R200 000 and R500 000 a month, Foodies franchisees run on a very low inventory, where just-in-time replenishment and timeous delivery are key," says Bell.
"Foodies franchisees dial in to head office at the end of each day to update our central database, giving us a total or specific view of how items are selling by store, region and on a national basis. It means we`re operating Foodies even more profitably and effectively than before."
SaleAbility provides POS, inter-store communications, head office-to-store communications, inventory management, stock management, cash management, and barcoding, which gives resilience, accuracy and speed at the point of sale.
Share
Editorial contacts