How Local Discounter Increased Sales 28.3% and Cut Staff Workload 80% with LEAFIO AI

The retailer automated planogram management with LEAFIO Shelf Efficiency and centralized replenishment ordering with LEAFIO Inventory Optimization across around 300 suppliers. The rollout also delivered a 23.9% increase in sales per meter and a 15% improvement in inventory turnover.

Scale: 82 stores · 2,000–15,000 SKUs · around 300 suppliers · Eastern Europe

LEAFIO Shelf Efficiency

Metric	Result
Sales	+28.3%
Unit sales	+26.3%
Sales per meter	+23.9%
Sales per facing width	+19%

LEAFIO Inventory Optimization

Metric	Result
Sales	+20%
Product availability	+10%
Inventory turnover	+15%
Store staff ordering workload	−80%
Average inventory levels	0% growth (flat despite assortment expansion)

Store ordering is now centrally coordinated through automated forecasting and replenishment. This gives Local Discounter consistent, data-driven ordering across all 82 stores.

Merchandising processes at Local Discounter relied on manual methods. Category managers created planograms in Excel with varying levels of detail: some included only category width, while others listed product names and barcodes. Suppliers with agreements often managed shelf space independently, using manual measurements and their own judgment for product arrangement.

• Category managers handled planogram creation as part of broader responsibilities
• Product placement varied across stores
• Suppliers managed shelf displays with limited oversight
• Planogram control relied on photos shared informally through messaging apps

As the retail chain expanded, Local Discounter recognized the need to simplify and automate planogram management, which led to the search for a comprehensive solution.

During their search for a shelf management solution, Local Discounter evaluated multiple products and selected LEAFIO Shelf Efficiency for its complete feature set and cost-effectiveness. The platform offered an all-in-one solution for planogram creation, compliance monitoring, and data-driven shelf space optimization.

The implementation of LEAFIO Shelf Efficiency followed a structured approach:

1. Business audit and data integration
2. Pilot phase: creating planograms for a selected category in a pilot store
3. Scaling: rolling out planogramming to additional locations

The implementation streamlined merchandising operations by centralizing planogram management and ensuring compliance. Local Discounter's team took part in regular online meetings to review progress and refine the process.

• 28.3% increase in sales
• 26.3% increase in unit sales
• 23.9% increase in sales per meter
• 19% increase in sales per facing width

“LEAFIO Shelf is an excellent platform for our retail merchandising. We moved from basic spreadsheets to real-time visualization. It has simplified work for both stores and the commercial department. The extensive reporting capabilities are incredibly useful. Highly recommend this platform.” — Sergey Baltaga, Planogram Optimization Specialist

Before adopting LEAFIO Inventory Optimization, Local Discounter managed its inventory through an accounting system. The ordering process was decentralized, with 82 store managers responsible for processing orders. With around 300 suppliers, the network needed an automated solution to reduce manual work in purchasing. Each store manager spent 2 to 3 hours on order creation, which created inefficiencies and a higher risk of overstocking. Decentralized ordering also limited control and transparency in the order formation process.

Challenges in Inventory Management

• Product ordering often experienced delays
• Order quantities varied in accuracy
• Inventory levels ran higher than needed
• Order formation had limited oversight and transparency
• Promotional orders were managed manually rather than through a dedicated tool

Store managers spent significant time on order processing. The key driver for adopting LEAFIO was the need to centralize order management and optimize inventory using KPIs such as turnover, availability, and stock levels.

Local Discounter evaluated several inventory management platforms before selecting LEAFIO Inventory Optimization for its functionality and cost-effectiveness. LEAFIO AI provided an intelligent, automated ordering system that improved order accuracy and inventory turnover.

The implementation of LEAFIO Inventory Optimization followed a three-stage approach:

1. Business audit and data integration
2. Pilot phase: integrating an initial assortment for automated ordering
3. Scaling: expanding Inventory Optimization across all stores

Centralizing order management and introducing automated ordering reduced manual work significantly. The platform also improved order accuracy and stock availability.

• 20% increase in sales
• 0% increase in average inventory levels
• 10% improvement in product availability
• 15% improvement in inventory turnover
• 80% reduction in store staff workload

“The implementation allowed us to expand our assortment by 30-70% in some cases compared to pre-automation levels. The algorithm utilizes the entire assortment matrix, eliminating reliance on individual managers’ discretion.” — Alexander Mankosh, Project Manager

Local Discounter is a supermarket chain in Eastern Europe. The retailer operates 82 stores with a combined assortment of 2,000 to 15,000 SKUs and works with around 300 suppliers. To modernize its merchandising and inventory operations, Local Discounter implemented the LEAFIO AI Retail Platform, including Shelf Efficiency and Inventory Optimization.