Product Line
What's a "SKUWORTH?" (March 2017)
How do you put a number on the cost savings associated with SKU Rationalization so you can balance it against the costs?
The Retailiziation of Foodservice (January 2013)
A "Foodservice Lifer's" look at Category Management, advocating open-minds and fresh perspectives
Goin' To The Show (May 2012)
Brief comments about this year's NRA Show, with focus on one truly innovative (and long overdue product
In Defense of Food (August 2010)
A review of Michael Pollan's excellent book, with a strong suggestion that foodservice manufacturers, distributors, and operators pay attention
5 P's in FS (January 2010)
Applying some "old school" marketing to the foodservice channel
30 Days to a Slimmer Product Line (June 2009)
Describes my process for Product Line Optimization, and seeks manufacturers who want to solve their "SKU Rationalization" problems in 30 days
Help Wanted (April 2009)
Seeking advice from FSMI readers regarding my new service offering
New Products Madness (March 2009)
Rethinking new products strategy in light of today's economy
Is it a SKU, or a Product? (February 2005)
Describes how "SKU Rationalization" projects work best when manufacturers are able to balance "head and heart, rational and emotional, fact and myth"
National Brands and Innovation (March 2005)
Highlights two recent articles which explain the importance of innovation to support national brands, in light of the continued growth of private label
Landscaping (July 2005)
Compares product line rationalization projects to pruning and landscaping, and describes new software being developed to guide manufacturers through the process.
Getting SKU Rationalization Right (November 2005)
Describes a new process for getting excellent results from Product Line Optimization projects, and supporting software which is being developed
Are We Ready for Category Management? (January 2006)
An article by guest author Karen Ribler, in which she takes a practical look at the future of Category Management in foodservice. Karen urges manufacturers to "do their homework" before preaching product line rationalization to distributors.
