How to spot voids and protect ...
November 8, 2021
From automated Monday morning recaps to a customizable report builder with over 5,000 key Target metrics, SOLYS by Crisp streamlines operations and drives growth for vendors in their Target partnership.
In May 2024, the SOLYS data platform joined our family of Crisp retail technology solutions with the acquisition of Minneapolis-based Lumidata.
SOLYS is a specialized Target reporting suite, offering vendors a comprehensive solution for managing their book of business with the leading U.S. retailer. From EDI compliance and enablement to fully built-out Monday morning reports and customizable reporting with over 5,000 relevant Target metrics, SOLYS stands out as a premier data management tool all teams across supplier organizations can benefit from. Many top CPGs already rely on SOLYS—either directly through Crisp or via a SOLYS-enabled broker.
To guide us through this powerful solution, we’re joined by John Zapfel, Director of National Accounts at Crisp. As part of Crisp’s growing Minneapolis hub, John brings extensive industry expertise from his experience as a former Target Buyer and Merchandise Planning Manager.
Here, John shares how vendors of all sizes can utilize Crisp’s SOLYS Target reporting solution to automate reporting and enhance data actionability for this key U.S. retailer account.
Sales intelligence
SOLYS instantizes Monday morning sales reporting with its pre-built Weekly POS report; a comprehensive weekly recap with broken-down sales totals by distribution center (DC), channel (in-store and online), out-of-stock percentages (OOS%), product-level sales data, and more, highlighting YOY comparisons.
A handy pre-built KPI report features high-level performance benchmarks, including dollars and unit sales, productivity metrics, promotional activity, out stock percentages, and more. These KPIs mirror those valued internally by Target, equipping vendors with essential data to assess performance and drive productive conversations with buyer partners.
Custom reporting: SOLYS’ Target report builder goes beyond basic sales and inventory reporting, offering extensive customization for in-depth analysis. Users can:
- Choose time periods, including Target’s fiscal year-over-year, which may differ from the vendor’s fiscal year, as well as creating your own saved POG set and end dates.
- Select departments as Target defines them (e.g., Department 49: Personal Care)
- Narrow down to specific classes within departments as Target defines them (e.g., Soap, Deodorant, Mouthwash in Department 49: Personal Care)
- Create Custom Item Attributes. If Target’s hierarchy isn’t how you want to see the data, you can easily create your own (e.g. New/Carry, Forward/Discontinued, Sub Brands, Color, etc.)
- Filter by DPCI (Target’s unique item identifier)
- Select from over 5,000 metrics, with the ability to sort by the 50 most popular metrics for quick access.
Promotional analysis: Seamlessly access promotional and clearance sales data in SOLYS. Aggregate the data with additional time periods and sales metrics to uncover key strategic insights and continuously optimize your retail marketing approach.
Digital success: As a Target supplier, online success is critical. Ensuring a strong presence on Target.com, along with product availability for pickup and delivery orders, is paramount in the eyes of Target buyer partners who prioritize a smooth omnichannel shopping experience. SOLYS’ online sales data includes key sales metrics (dollars and units) and sales penetration data, indicating the extent of your digital footprint.
Breaking Target reporting down by channel provides a comprehensive view of in-store and online performance, allowing suppliers to identify growth opportunities across channels and ensure products are optimized for sale at every turn.
With custom reporting, suppliers, brokers and agency partners can select custom or Target-defined time periods; select departments as Target defined them (e.g., Department 49: Personal Care); select classes within departments; and/or select from over 5,000 additional metrics.
Bullseye supply chain
Standout supply chain management is critical for success with Target, and SOLYS provides the tools necessary to excel. Reporting revolves around out-of-stock percentage (OOS%) rates, which buyer partners regard as a top success metric.
Out-of-stock percentages are a critical performance benchmark for Target teams—on par with OTIF (on-time in-full) for other retailers.
In addition to offering accessible OOS% reports, SOLYS offers comprehensive supply chain data, including:
- Real-time inventory levels: To monitor stock across Target’s distribution network and stores.
- Forecast and order data: To access predictive analytics to anticipate demand and adjust supply accordingly.
- A robust EDI integration: Seamlessly connecting systems with Target’s for efficient data exchange.
These elements come together in a weekly pre-built FLO (Future Logistics Opportunities) report, which combines historical and future order data, providing vendors with a clear picture of supply chain health and a definitive action plan for what’s next.
The SOLYS platform additionally features a POs repository for easy access to these crucial records.
Showcasing the power of EDI-enabled data sharing, these end-to-end supply chain reports help unite operational decision-makers with other teams in the organization, connecting concrete records with proven sales data and advanced forecasting analytics.
Leveraging these tools, supplier teams can stay on top of out-of-stock situations and demonstrate preparedness for new opportunities.
Showcasing the power of EDI-enabled data sharing, these end-to-end supply chain reports help unite operational decision-makers with other teams in the organization, connecting concrete records with proven sales data and advanced forecasting analytics.
Category management to stay ahead
Last but not least, SOLYS makes category reporting a breeze with pre-built reporting and insights that reveal competitive performance, and drive meaningful conversations with buyers.
Category scorecard: Assess category performance on a weekly basis, with a breakdown enabling vendors to:
- Quickly review sales trends and growth drivers
- Track share of category
- Monitor in-stock and out-of-stock levels
Pricing dashboard: This powerful tool unlocks rich insights into pricing strategy. Understanding how each item performs at its current price point and impacts overall sales is crucial for optimizing product mix within a category.
Advanced promotional insights: With aggregate sales and promotional insights, vendors can assess incremental promotional effects on their categories and subcategories, including for non-promoted items. Teams can then reallocate marketing mix spending based on these compelling analyses.
With aggregate sales and promotional insights, vendors can assess incremental promotional effects on their categories and subcategories, including for non-promoted items. Teams can then reallocate marketing mix spending based on these compelling analyses.
Best-in-class Target vendor data solution
As the omnichannel retail landscape continues to evolve, SOLYS empowers vendors with the tools needed to stay ahead of the curve and maximize their partnership with Target.
Looking ahead, the integration of SOLYS with the broader Crisp Retail Analytics platform promises to deliver even more value to suppliers. It will provide seamless data management and reporting capabilities across leading U.S. retailers, further streamlining operations and enhancing strategic decision-making.
To learn more about SOLYS and other Crisp data solutions for 40+ retailers and distributors, book a demo.
