Space and category management software is Windows-based and rapidly improving. Cosmetics tested on animals, for example, would not find their way onto planograms of stores in animal-rights conscious localities, Stadler said. The technology is also expensive. Walgreens would not say what it cost to develop and install BDM except that it ran in the millions, including training costs. For retailers planning to grow, the investment is well worth it, experts said.
Consumers have less time.
The challenge in the brick and mortar world is to be able to adjust the assortments to most closely match the needs of the consumers in their local market. The challenge for companies using the software is executing store layout changes quickly, which makes a healthy communication system imperative, experts said. Retailers are constantly processing new items. More than 1,000 new products a year are introduced. Walgreens said it expects to have few problems on the communications side, but that maintaining and upgrading BDM could prove challenging in upcoming years.