PEP understands that operating South Africa’s largest retail network entails the responsibility to make choices that balance customer needs, business efficiency and environmental impact. As part of its commitment to sustainability, PEP has reimagined its approach to in-store marketing and material usage, implementing changes that reduce waste, save costs and enhance the shopping experience.

By reducing reliance on traditional point-of-sale (POS) materials and introducing innovative, recyclable alternatives, PEP is creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to communicate with customers while staying true to its mission of delivering value where it matters most.

Streamlining point of sale for impact
Historically, PEP stores relied heavily on physical POS materials, such as entrance banners and category signage, which are updated on a monthly basis. Over the past year, this approach has undergone a thoughtful transformation:

• Entrance banners: PEP has completely removed entrance banners from PEP HOME stores and reduced the frequency of entrance banner rollouts in PEP clothing stores. Previously updated monthly, these banners are now refreshed every two months across 2 154 locations, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable approach.
• Category signage: Traditional banners have been replaced by new banners made from recyclable poly tool material. This shift aligns with sustainability goals and enhances the visual appeal of stores by offering a clean, professional look that complements the shopping environment.

These changes reflect a 26% reduction in banner production (from 25 248 units annually to 6 656) and a remarkable 34% cost saving, equating to a decrease from R1.3 million to R840 000 annually.

A quarterly update model: Efficiency and safety
PEP has also reimagined its update cycles. Where stores previously required monthly updates, the shift to quarterly changes has significantly reduced labour demands, transport needs and associated costs. This new model saves time, reduces complexity and has notable health and safety benefits for store teams by minimising frequent material handling.

Building on these efficiencies, PEP is optimising how materials are packed and shipped to stores to curb waste and reduce spend. By using less packing material and exploring alternative packing methods for POS kits, particularly for PEP CELL, the business will save more than R900 000 on its annual POS budget.

The role of print and digital in the customer experience
While print remains a critical touchpoint for many PEP customers, the company is striking a balance between tradition and innovation. Recognising that many customers still value printed catalogues as part of their shopping experience, PEP has maintained its leaflet production levels, increasing them slightly in response to customer demand. However, overall, the company continues to see a slight reduction in print each year.

However, these efforts complement a growing focus on digital marketing initiatives. By reducing reliance on traditional POS materials, resources can be redirected to digital platforms, enabling PEP to connect with customers in more targeted and engaging ways.