The Jargon Buster Directory is your central resource for locating
an explanation to typical terms found for within all industries , professions
and governments.
Use our directory to locate and decipher jargon that you would like an
explanation for.
Keeping our directory up to date and to include all the spheres where jargon
is used is a never ending task for us. We have started with what we can locate
but but it is a vast subject and can be very niche specific.
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BROKER A company who sells products to retailers and wholesalers on behalf
of manufacturers for a percentage of sales turnover or profit. Some of these
organisations also market these products, consequently a trend has recently
developed for these companies to re-label themselves as 'sales and marketing
agencies'.
CATEGORY MANAGEMENT A category is product group such as biscuits, ice cream,
pasta or petfood, there may of course be sub-categories within a category.
Both retailers and manufacturers employ category managers, their job is to
improve the sales achieved from the amount of shelf-space allocated to any
particular category. To do this they will need an understanding of why shoppers
buy what they do so that they can offer the optimum mix of brands and private
label products to suit the size and type of store, taking into account local
demographics.
Other factors that will be taken into consideration are merchandising to
make the category both appealing and logical to shop, the level of brand
support given through TV advertising, promotions, special offers and new
product launches.
DUE DILIGENCE The process of making sure that food is safe to eat, respectable
food manufacturers will undertake 'due diligence' throughout the manufacturing
process to ensure that food is not contaminated.
C T N Stands for confectioner, tobacconist and newsagent - in other words
a newsagent.
FGP - FACTORY GATE PRICING Factory gate pricing is really primary distribution.
Retailers, working in partnership with their suppliers, have devised a system
where goods are collected by the retailer, or their designated carriers,
from the factory gate. Under this system manufacturers charge for the price
of the product excluding delivery.
EDI - ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE This paperless system is widely used in
grocery for stock ordering, it is sophisticated enough to know that you have
bought a tin of beans from your local supermarket, it then goes through a
process which alerts the manufacturer so that stock levels will be maintained.
EDLP - EVERYDAY LOW PRICING A devise used by major supermarkets to emphasise
value for money. the retailer offers low prices across their product range
rather than special offers and BOGOFFs, buy one get one free.
ECR - EFFICIENT CONSUMER RESPONSE
A system that strives to improve the efficiency of the grocery supply chain.
Its main aims are to provide consumer value by .removing costs that do not
add value and to minimise inefficiency throughout the supply chain.
EFSIS EFSIS is a common third party independent inspection service for food
retailers and manufacturers leading to EFSIS accreditation, which ensures
that the highest food manufacturing standards are maintained.
EPOS Electronic point of sale equipment that is used for pricing at the till,
stock control and accounting.
F.M.C.G. - FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS Products that have a quick turnover.
FWD - FEDERATION OF WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS An organisation which represents
the cash & carry and wholesale business.
IGD - THE INSTITUTE OF GROCERY DISTRIBUTION The IGD is a research, information
and education provider for the food and grocery industry, it has members
from all sections of the food and grocery market - retailers, caterers,
wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers.
LOGISTICS The sophisticated art of getting products from the factory to the
retailer at the allotted time.
MERCHANDISING The placement and display of products in-store, on-shelf and
on the counter to maximise sales. Merchandising can have a very positive
effect on sales, but the effect can be ruined by manufacturers sending their
merchandiser into a shop to push their brands, rather than help the retailer
make more profit
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER He or she is employed by a supplier to look after
a major retailer or wholesaler, they will negotiate the price, sort out
promotions and support and keep their customer informed of any new product
developments and consumer support such as advertising and on-pack promotions.
PRIVATE LABEL - OWN LABEL - RETAILER BRAND Originally developed by Marks
& Spencer (St Michael), retailers are keen to develop their own company
name as a brand, so they now sell a massive proportion of their offering
in their own packaging. Some of these are designed to re-enforce the value
for money that the retailers offers, such as Tesco Value and some are used
to demonstrate high quality, like St Michael or Tesco Finest.
RDC - REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE A central warehouse operated by a major
supermarket chain or their chosen contractor. Full loads are dropped off
by manufacturers, they are then split up into smaller units and delivered
to individual stores as part of a mixed load.
RFID - RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DATA A controversial tagging system
which helps manufacturers identify where materials are in the supply chain
and help retailers cut down on pilferage.
SKU - STOCK KEEPING UNIT Is a unique number assigned to a product for ordering
and inventory purposes.
SUPERMARKET - SUPERSTORE - HYPERMARKET A supermarket has floor space in excess
of 3,000 sq ft, a superstore more than 25,000 sq ft and a hypermarket has
over 40,000 sq ft.
TERTIARY BRAND A brand that receives no consumer advertising support and
may be used by retailers to demonstrate good value or simple used as a price
fighting device.