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Common Definitions, Terms And Acronyms When Working In The DotActiv Software

The purpose of this article is to provide you with a range of common retail terms you will come across while space planning or floor planning in the DotActiv software.

Applicable Products: DotActiv Free, DotActiv Lite, DotActiv Pro,
DotActiv Enterprise

As there are many different retail terms and acronyms, we have split them into various sections and included only the most common.

Data Terms and Acronyms

Raw DataData that has not been checked for
missing, misspelled or duplicated
data.
Clean DataData that has been reviewed and
corrected where necessary.
SQL or Structured Query LanguageA computer language used to organise and simplify the process of adding,
retrieving, editing, and deleting
information stored in a database
KeyA column index which allows you rapid and/or sort access to a table’s row.
Primary KeyThe unique identifier used to draw
links between each row in a table to
draw the correct data. It is used to
identify a row of data in a specific
table. You only have one primary key.
CSV or Comma-Separated Values FileColloquially known as CSV’s, a comma-separated values file is used for
moving tabular data (numbers and
text) between programs that operate on incompatible formats.
FLPThe DotActiv file extension used for a planogram and floorplan.
DRTThe DotActiv file extension used for a custom reporting template.
License KeyThe unique number given to each
DotActiv license holder.
Data CubeA data cube consists of any data that
you, as the user, decides to use. A data cube cannot be used in isolation. It
merely contains less data than the
entire database, making it faster to
work with and more efficient.

Category Management Terms and Acronyms

BMCBase Merchandise Category (BMC) is a term used by some retailers to determine their product classifications.
CategoryA group of items or products that a
customer sees as a reasonable
substitute for each other.
Category HierarchyThe group of categories into
supergroups (larger groups),
sub-categories and segments (smaller groups).
Consumer Decision TreeA record that outlines the consumer
buying habits and decision-making
process while shopping a category.
FlowThis indicates the position of one
category, sub-category or brand in
relation to another, shown on a
planoguide.
KVIThis stands for known value item and
refers to an item that is purchased
frequently and therefore the customer is familiar with the market price for the product.
StatusThis is an indicator referring to the status of a product. For example a product can be ‘Active’ or ‘Inactive’.
SupergroupThis refers to the category hierarchy which is used for the classification of products. Consumer behaviour is important to consider when defining your category hierarchy because it must be in line with how your customers look for products in your store. For example, Supergroup A could refer to Edible Groceries and Supergroup B could refer to Beverages.

Space Planning Terms and Acronyms

POG / PlanogramA planogram is a visual representation of a department, shelf, or display for
allocating products by the number of
facings and/or the depth of the display.
PlanoguideA visual guide to how the category
should flow i.e. from one sub-category or segment to the next.
RealogramAn exact virtual copy of a category as
it currently is in a store before any
optimisation has taken place.
GondolaThis free-standing fixture has a flat
base and vertical component featuring shelves, notches, slat walls or
pegboards.
End CapEnd-caps are display units located at
the ends of gondola aisles.  They are
perpendicular to the gondolas.
Segment or DropA section of the gondola spanning one shelf length, from top to bottom.
NOD / Number of Drops This represents the amount of drops or segments. It is also often referred to as drop count.
NotchesA slot that the shelf fits into securely.
Hanging BarA horizontal bar with metal hooks on which products can be hung for
display purposes.
PegboardA board with a regular pattern of holes for pegs or hooks on which products
can be hung for display purposes.
Upright Fridge / FreezerThese fixtures look similar to
conventional refrigerators but with only one door that can be installed to open from either the right or left side. 
Customers can easily see the items without opening the doors.
Island Fridge / Coffin FreezerA usually long, flat box fixture that stores frozen items in a lying flat position.
CassetteA usually flat case or cartridge that
holds products in an upright position.
Clip StripA vertical bar with metal hooks or
clips on which products can be hung
for display purposes. This usually is
found hanging vertically between
drops or segments.
BasketA container that is placed on a shelf to hold usually smaller items that may
roll-off.
Snake QueueA gondola that is narrower in shelf
depth and either longer or shorter in
length when compared to the other
gondolas. This gondola is at the
checkout points. It can appear as a
long aisle directing traffic flow to the
checkout. Or they can be short
gondolas separating each checkout.
They encourage impulse purchases.
SKU or Stock Keeping UnitIt refers to the unique identification
number on a product and allows for
differentiation.
UOMUnit of Measure (UOM) is assigned to each product as it relates to the
measurement of size. The size of an
item might be ‘500’ but the UOM
defines whether it’s grams, litres and
so on.
FrontsThis is the number of items that appear on the shelf above and behind a
single facing.
FacingThe number of products with a single barcode in a linear measure (across,
up or back) in a 3-dimensional space.
Actual FacingsOn the Shelf Report, this would indicate the total number of facings of the product on the gondola.
CapacityThe actual number (total count) of a
product on a planogram. Or on a Shelf Report, this would refer to the capacity of a product at that specific position i.e. a specific shelf.
Actual CapacityOn the Shelf Report, this would indicate the total capacity of the product on the gondola.
X FacingThe number of front horizontal facings of a product in an area.
Y Facing or Facings HighThe number of front vertical facings of a product in an area.
Z Facing or Facings DeepThe number of facings of a product
moving to the back or deep into the
shelf.
CapsThis specifies the number of products that can be laid out under or over the stack. When an item is laid on top of
another item in a different orientation, it’s called a layover.

For example, if cereal boxes are
arranged on the shelf in a front end
orientation, if sufficient headroom
exists you could lay a box on top of the others in the end front orientation
Variety Width or BreadthThis describes the number of different kinds of products that the retailer has available.
Assortment DepthThe number of each item or a
the particular style of a product.
MDDMinimum Display Depth (MDD) can
be used when wanting to set a
minimum limit to the number of
products that can run deep into a shelf.
Movement (Unit/Weekly)The number of products sold per day
or per week. Based on the period of data,
it is referred to as daily movement or weekly movement.
DOS or Days Of SupplyDays of Supply refer to the number of days a product is on the shelf before replenishment. You calculate DOS by dividing your capacity by the number of units you sell per day.
Cubic SpaceThis calculates the volume or space of a product in cubic feet. It can be used
to rationalise the amount of space
given to a particular sub-category or
segment of product.
Forward ShareThis calculates the forward-sharing
space a product occupies across the
planogram. It is a relative measure for ensuring brands receive the
forward-sharing space they deserve to entice a customer to purchase.

Although these are the most common terms that we believe you will come across, the list is most certainly incomplete as you will come across many more in your career.

If the term you want to know more about is not on the list, let us know and we can add it.

Updated on January 25, 2023
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