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L.E.K. 4 Steps To Optimizing Trade Promotion Effectiveness
L.E.K. 4 Steps To Optimizing Trade Promotion Effectiveness
established category. (Please note that brands would use different trade promotion strategies to launch new products or enter
new markets.)
Figure 1
L.E.K.s Four-Step Framework for Improving Trade Promotion Programs
STEP 1
STEP 2
Observe Trade
Promotion
Effectiveness
Measure Category
Price Elasticity
STEP 3
STEP 4
Evaluate Marketplace
and Competitive Dynamics
Assess Trade
Promotion Options
Four Steps to Optimizing Trade Promotion Effectiveness was written by Alex Evans,Vice President, and Julie Wherry, Manager, of L.E.K. Consulting.
Please contact L.E.K. at [email protected] for additional information.
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Figure 2
Sales Volume Correlation with Promotional Events
Total Sales Volume at Retailer X
Incremental
Q1 2009
Q2 2009
Q3 2009
Q4 2009
Baseline
Volume
Units
Occurrence
of Promotion
Baseline:
X% volume
driven by
promotional
events
This data provides historical insight into the effect that trade
use this insight to set promotions at the highest price point pos-
gressive promotions.)
Page 2
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Figure 3
Measuring the Effectiveness of a CPG Trade Promotion Program
Total Product Category (all brands)
Volume in Retailer X
Volume Change
Price Change
-4%
25%
= -0.16
-4%
Sample Output
Figure 4
Millions of Units
Status Quo
Reduce Trade
Promotion 25%
at promotional discounts.
The value-destroying cycle is difficult to break due to competitive dynamics. In the mass cosmetics category, which we believe
is an inelastic category, we have seen initial challenges when a
vicious cycle:
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Companies that lead a category in reducing their trade promo-
promotion programs.
line benefits using its new trade spending strategy. In fact, the
company has the potential for up to 15% improvements in
contribution margin dollars at its key grocery and drug channels, while certain retail partners could potentially see 50%+
improvements (largely due to gains in private label share).
Conclusion
If you are a CPG company spending more than $20 million2
annually in trade promotion or a retailer in a heavy trade
promotion environment, a review of your trade promotion plans
may spotlight areas for improvement. Importantly, senior execu-
category.
Case Example
A global CPG company in a consumable category found in
food, drug, mass and club channels was facing significant market pressures from its competitors trade promotion programs.
The question was whether the brand could shift away from
the BOGOF dynamic that had become an established category
element. Using its market research process, L.E.K. conducted a
diagnostic of the opportunity for the brand (and its retail channel) to potentially generate substantially higher margin dollars
by driving a wholesale conversion of BOGOFs to BOGO50s
(buy-one-get-one-50% off).
Page 4
AMR Research, Trade Promotions: Are you Getting What You Pay for? (2009)
We cite the $20 million annual trade promotion budget because even a
modest 5% improvement in trade promotion effectiveness would yield $1
million in incremental savings and substantially improve trade promotion
program ROI. Clearly there is an opportunity for companies with varying
trade promotion budgets to improve the overall results of their marketing
programs.
2
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L.E.K. Consulting is a global management consulting firm that uses deep industry expertise and analytical rigor to help clients solve their most critical business problems. Founded more than 25 years ago,
L.E.K. employs more than 900 professionals in 20 offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
L.E.K. advises and supports global companies that are leaders in their industries including the largest
private and public sector organizations, private equity firms and emerging entrepreneurial businesses.
L.E.K. helps business leaders consistently make better decisions, deliver improved business performance and create greater shareholder returns.
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