The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has ended its Take Home Blueprint programme, which provided independent retailers with industry-agreed planograms and merchandising support in the alcohol category.
The halt of the scheme follows a six-month strategic review of activity led by new FWD chief executive James Bielby.
Bielby told C-Store that the Take Home initiative had helped retailers for 16 years, but had now had its day. He said: "Since its inception in 1993, thousands of independent retailers have been helped by Blueprint and we're very proud of its achievements. But a number of FWD members now operate their own category management programmes for retailers, so the Blueprint process has reached a natural conclusion.
"Category advice is still widely available to retailers through wholesalers or magazines such as Convenience Store."
Bielby added that the FWD would increasingly focus on political lobbying, although he pledged to continue to drive forward the My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign, and is already talking to suppliers to generate support for next year's activity. Bielby will personally head up the MSYS team for 2010, meaning that campaign founder Alan Toft will step down.
FWD chairman Francis Ball paid tribute to Toft's contribution, adding: "We have to thank Alan for the MSYS concept and execution over the past five years. The campaign is a positive force for good in the independent sector and we will build on what has been achieved."
The halt of the scheme follows a six-month strategic review of activity led by new FWD chief executive James Bielby.
Bielby told C-Store that the Take Home initiative had helped retailers for 16 years, but had now had its day. He said: "Since its inception in 1993, thousands of independent retailers have been helped by Blueprint and we're very proud of its achievements. But a number of FWD members now operate their own category management programmes for retailers, so the Blueprint process has reached a natural conclusion.
"Category advice is still widely available to retailers through wholesalers or magazines such as Convenience Store."
Bielby added that the FWD would increasingly focus on political lobbying, although he pledged to continue to drive forward the My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign, and is already talking to suppliers to generate support for next year's activity. Bielby will personally head up the MSYS team for 2010, meaning that campaign founder Alan Toft will step down.
FWD chairman Francis Ball paid tribute to Toft's contribution, adding: "We have to thank Alan for the MSYS concept and execution over the past five years. The campaign is a positive force for good in the independent sector and we will build on what has been achieved."
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