Independent

Merchandiser’s

INFORMATION

GUIDE

Page 1

Table of Contents

PAYMENT INFORMATION 2 RETAILER DRESS GUIDELINES 3 CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT 3 SPECIAL PROGRAMS 4 QUALITY ASSURANCE 4 IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS 5

SUGGESTIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL VISIT 6 1-Precall/Planning 2-Signing in and out of the Store Vendor Log Book 3-Meeting with Store Management

4-Review 5-Reporting To Clients

REPORTING METHODS 7 GLOSSARY AND GENERAL SBS TERMINOLOGY 8-11

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Payment Information

All Contract/Jobs (“Projects”) that you accept with SPAR BUSINESS SERVICES (“SBS”) are your responsibility to ensure are complete & reported correctly and reported the same day per specific client direction.

FALSIFICATION IN REPORTING: Reporting that a project you accepted is complete to client

specifications, which has NOT been completed will result in termination of your contract. Falsification on reporting incomplete projects results in you breaking your contract with SBS and your contract will be null and void immediately.

SOME REQUIRMENTS FOR PAYMENT FOR YOUR Project ARE:

1. PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED TO CLIENT SATISFACTION. ALWAYS OBTAIN STORE MANAGEMENT SIGNATURE (unless client instructions say otherwise).

2. PROJECTS MUST BE REPORTED WITHIN THE TIME FRAME LISTED ON THE CLIENT INSTRUCTIONS. Clients require same day reporting as part of the project (Late reporting may delay or cause nonpayment).

3. ACCURATE REPORTING OF ALL FACETS OF THE CONTRACTED PROJECT: IF you have accidentally reported something incorrectly, immediately contact a Client District Manager (“CDM”) to have the project deleted (you will be able to reenter the correct info once the original data is deleted). Please be careful and read carefully all client instructions & call form questions.

Please refer to the payment calendar in your Merchandiser Tools page under the “Payment Section. You may view and print your payment grids from Merchandiser Tools for a list of projects paid. Payment will be mailed on the date listed in the payment calendar. Please allow ten days for postal receipt. If you have opted into the Worker’s Compensation Insurance deduction, you will see a deduction from your payment listed as administrative fees for Worker’s Compensation Insurance. This is optional, if you have supplied proof you have Worker’s Compensation Insurance through your own carrier, no deductions will be taken out of your payment. It is important to retain copies (for a minimum of 90 days) of call forms showing: chain/store number/city/job contract number/wave number/task number/date of service/time in and out/ store management met. This is to ensure you are paid correctly for each project and if a dispute arises to verify completion of a project. If a problem occurs on your payment contact a CDM immediately. You will not be paid for errors which are not reported within 30 days of occurrence. If you have in your possession any equipment lent to you such as handhelds, digital cameras, phones, tablets, etc. upon your terminated contract, your payment will be held until the equipment is returned.

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Retail Dress Guidelines Retailers require that Merchandising Specialists must be clean, neat and in appropriate attire at all times. Remember, if you wear a SPAR Business Services badge (visibly displayed), the Store Manager will be able to identify you. While you are on a project and representing clients the name badge shows you have a contract signed with SBS identifying you as an Independent Contractor and allowing you to work in retail stores. If you lose your name badge, please contact a CDM or the SAL Line (SPAR Assistance line) to obtain a new one. Retailers have certain dress guidelines ensuring anyone working in their stores is appropriately dressed.

Examples of acceptable attire - Slacks (khakis, cotton, polyester, rayon)

Skirts (knee length or longer- No mini-skirts)

Blouses Collared/buttoned shirts

Polo Shirts Comfortable shoes

Examples of unacceptable attire - Open-toed or high heeled shoes

Tank/halter tops Sweatshirts

Shorts

Leggings T-shirts with ads/slogans

Jogging suits Hats

Code of Business Conduct Please ensure you are safeguarding confidential and proprietary information, avoid conflicts of interest and avoid participation in or condoning dishonest, fraudulent or illegal acts. Retailers want to ensure that

professional and ethical behavior is considered while visiting their location.

Smoking, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Policy -Smoking or tobacco chewing is not permitted in any work areas.

-Consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs before or during your store visit is not permitted.

Violation(s) of the standard/policies stated above may result in the termination of your contract.

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Special Programs

Bright Ideas Our Clients and Retailers want to hear your ideas!! You are their eyes and ears in store. If you have an

idea or suggestion, no matter how large or small on how to improve anything, please submit on the SBS

Merchandiser Tools page via “Submit Your Comments – You Talk We Listen”. Click the button next to “Suggestions” and type your idea in the comment section. Each quarter 10 names are drawn for

submitting Bright Ideas and these 10 will receive a gift of $25.00!

Success Stories

Please share your success stories with our clients. Pictures! Pictures! Clients love to see pictures! If you placed a display at the front of a store that had not let you in the past, that is a success story. Please

share it and if possible send a picture. If a store was pleased with something you did, told that your work has increased sales, that the customers liked a product or a new way a section was set these are

all examples of success stories. PLEASE SHARE THESE! Submit a Success Story, on the SBS

Merchandiser Tools page via “Submit your Comments – You Talk We Listen”. Click the button next to “Success Stories”, enter the contract/job, wave and task that the story concerns and enter your story

in the comment section. You can upload pictures with the Take Picture activity on the Store Visit App or with the Photo Upload button when entering your call form online.

Merchandiser Recruitment Program

For every new (excludes previously contracted) IC you recommend that contracts with SBS and stays

at least 3 months (must accept projects within the 3 months consistently) you will receive $25. If you know anyone outside your immediate geographic area (other markets or states) you will qualify for the

bonus as well. SBS is always looking for good qualified Independent Contractors! Please contact an SAS Zone Director (ZD) for details.

Quality Assurance

Random quality assurance audits of the contractors completed projects may be conducted by store

management or the client. If you, the contractor are having any issues in completing the project please let a CDM know. Clients may request the use of the Retail Issue Tracking Tool (RTS) on the

Merchandiser Tools page if you encounter any issues or challenges that fall outside of the call form questions. Any issues resulting from an audit are your responsibility to resolve.

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Important Phone Numbers Zone Director (ZD) or is: ___________________________ ZD phone #____________________________________________ Zone Lead (ZL) is____________________________________ ZL’s phone #______________________________________________ (Please write this in for your information from your communication from the ZD) SBS Merchandiser Assistance Line 1-800-438-2566 (SAL) SPAR Business Services-Detroit 1-800-753-6723 Mobile Device Technical Support 1-800-738-8640 Fixture Trait Assessment Hotline 1-800-986-4228 New Contractor Orientation Conference Call 1-800-501-8979 Monday 2 PM EST Passcode – 4094913# Webinar – Allows you to follow along on line in addition to call. http://connectpro99779220.adobeconnect.com/sparinc/ Select “Guest” to enter

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SUGGESTIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL VISIT

1. PRECALL/PLANNING Please be sure you have all the client’s instructions, planograms, POP or other necessary items to

complete the contract/job. If you are missing anything, it is imperative that you contact a CDM immediately.

Read all client instructions so you are knowledgeable and understand all the information for your visit

before going into the store. If any project requires a pre-call, it is important to set an appointment with the Store Manager and/or the Department Manager.

Most retailers require that your store visit begin before 3:00 p.m.

2. SIGNING IN AND OUT OF THE VENDOR LOG BOOK

For security purposes, most retail chains require anyone working in their store sign a log book providing

the store a record of who is working in their store each day. By signing into the book it shows you are authorized to work in that store.

The store’s vendor logbook is generally located at the customer service counter. Some stores may

have it in the back, by receiving. Sign in and out for each project/client you are servicing while in the

store. All of the following information must be included with each visit: DATE, TIME IN, TIME OUT (VERY IMPORTANT), NAME, CLIENT YOU ARE SERVICING, AND THE STORE MANAGEMENT PERSON

YOU MET WITH. Clients and Store Personnel may review the vendor log books on a regular basis and will report anyone not signing in and out properly. Since this is the first impression clients have,

please remember that signing in and out for every visit is critical.

3. MEETING WITH STORE MANAGEMENT

It is very important you meet with the Store Department Manager. If he/she is not available, try the

Store Manager or Assistant Manager. Explain that you are a SPAR Business Services Merchandiser representing (Client’s name). It is important that you discuss your visit with the Manager before

starting your work. Review all objectives for your visit and give him/her an estimated time when you will be completed, to ensure they will be available to review your work.

4. REVIEW Be sure to review all of your work with the Store Department Manager. If they are not available, locate

the Store/Assistant Manager. Obtain a signature from the Store Manager if the project requests you to do so. If the Department Manager is not available, then obtain signature from the Store

Manager/Assistant Manager. It is important to ensure that the Department Manager is aware of the completed project and is satisfied with the work performed. This allows you to maintain good records

if the client asks any question.

5. REPORTING

It is a client requirement that projects are reported on the same day they are completed. It is crucial that all information reported is accurate. A store visit is not completed until the project information is

reported using one of the methods outlined below. It is very important that you do not report different

projects within the same time frame, as the projects will overlap. This can result in delay of payment to you.

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REPORTING METHODS

SBS STORE VISIT APPLICATION You may download the SBS Store Visit (SV) App to any Android or IOS device from the

Merchandiser Login screen of the SBS website by clicking on the button “Click or Tap Here to Download the Field Mobile Application”. The SV App may be used to report most projects.

The App works offline except when communicating. You can choose when to communicate during the day of project completion giving you the option of using free Wi-Fi vs. your data

plan. On the SV App you can report your in-store time in and out, Call Form, Product Data,

Retail Issue Tracking (RTS), manager’s signature and take pictures. This allows you to upload all project reporting criteria at once. It is important to communicate daily to ensure you have all

the current changes.

HAND HELD COMPUTER

All projects, in which a client requires the use of a Hand Held should be completed on a Hand Held Computer. Store data (returns, OOS, call form response, photos and time in time out)

will be uploaded during your nightly communication. PLEASE do an immediate communication as soon as you arrive home from a visit to transmit data. Before

communicating be sure all visits completed that day are marked as complete in your Hand Held shown with an asterisk next to the job/wave/chain. It is important to communicate daily

(mainly on Sunday or Monday before going into the stores to receive your new assignments for

the week).

INTERNET REPORTING

You may also report completed contract/jobs on the SBS website at www.sparinc.com. On the SPAR Business Services Merchandiser Tools page click on the "Internet Call Form” tool to report

your completed projects. If you have product data information such as Out of Stocks, Returns, Voids or Inventory information, report that before your call form using the Product Data

Collection tool. Clients require PROJECTS MUST BE REPORTED ON THE SAME DAY

COMPLETED. Be sure to document your confirmation # you receive at the completion of your reporting.

IVR

1-800-886-7303 IVR should only be used if your project instructions inform you to report via this method. An

example of this would be for a Blitz visit for a New Release where a client requires reporting from the store as soon upon completion. Be sure to document your confirmation number at

the conclusion of the call.

NAS IN-HOMEONLY- 1-877-690-7727

IVR to report check in and completion of NAS In-Home Work Orders

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General Merchandising Terms/Glossary

4-way/H-Rack A four sided fixture.

Backorder Product that was ordered and not included with shipment. Will be shipped when

available.

Backstock Additional merchandise available in the stockroom or warehouse.

Back Tag Thin plastic piece that goes on a peg hook for the label to go on.

Banner Usually a plastic or cloth rectangle with grommets in the corners, designed to be suspended from the ceiling or between posts.

Bar Code (UPC Bar Code) A pattern of stripes on printed materials, which can be scanned by a laser beam and

translated to product identification numbers.

Bonus Pack Special packaging that provides consumers with extra quantity of merchandise at no

extra cost over regular pack.

Brand A name, mark, or symbol (or combination of these) that identifies the product or service offered by sellers.

Case Pack Each individual case of a certain product.

Case Packout Shelving term describing when a full case of a product fits in the amount of shelf space

allotted for that product.

Chain Organization with two or more centrally owned stores handling similar merchandise.

Checklane Fixture Fixtures at cash register inline or endcaps at the store.

Chips Thin plastic piece that goes into the shelf rail that the label goes on

Circular Multi-page flyer published by retailers for consumers, usually mailed or inserted in regular newspapers.

Clip Strip A plastic strip to which product can be attached using j hooks. Used to cross

merchandiser or obtain incremental display space.

Controlled Store Test Means of measuring potential success of promotions or other offers by placing items in a

limited number of retail outlets under controlled conditions to measure product

movement, share of market, influence of display, etc.

Corrugate Cardboard display vehicle that is shipped with a new release or promotional item used to display the product. A corrugate can be a tray of a free standing display.

Counter Unit Prepackaged product (usually 12-18 units) display designed to be placed on a counter

with merchandising materials.

Coupon Sales promotion technique in which a consumer can redeem for a price reduction.

Cross Merchandising A way of displaying and selling merchandise which does not traditionally sell together. A very effective way of increasing impulse purchases, and displaying seasonal merchandise

and new products.

Cut-in A partial reset where a limited number of products are moved in a section in order to add

a new product.

Dedicated Space Space in a store that has been purchased by a company to be used for displaying that

company’s product only.

Display Bin (Floor Stand) Folding cardboard display bin used for display of small items.

Display Material Backboards, poles, posters, shelf cards, etc. made for product promotions.

Display Work To build a special display yourself, or to check that it was built correctly and in the proper

location by store personnel.

Distribute To sell, promote and ship merchandise.

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Dumpbin/Speed table A store fixture or cardboard fixture that is table like for displaying product.

End Cap High traffic display area located at the end of an aisle that is designed to increase product

movement.

Face-Out Layout of the front row of all products as they will appear in the final set.

Facing Unit of product on the shelf edge.

Flex A section of the inline that is not planogrammed.

Front of store ( FOS) The main aisle at the front of the store.

Gondola A section of shelving in retail stores.

HBA Health and Beauty Aids.

Header Sign that is placed above displays or shelf sets.

Inline The product within the aisles of the store.

IRC Placement (Instant Redeemable Coupon) Placement of an adhesive coupon on product line(s) for immediate price reduction.

Island Display Island type display used to hold products in the middle of the store either stacked alone,

in a floor display, or on a table.

Linear Footage The length of a section (base) from left to right, multiplied by the number of shelves.

Most shelves are 3 or 4 feet long. Example: Shelf = 3 feet, and there are 4 shelves,

then 3 x 4 =12 linear feet.

List Price Manufacturer’s price

Mark-up (margin) The difference between merchandise cost and the retail price.

Mass Merchandising Type of merchandising practiced by accounts that display and sell all kinds of

merchandise, usually at discount prices.

Merchandising Activity that ensures that merchandise is in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity and at the right price.

Order Code Number Identifying number given to each item that is used to order the product from the store

warehouse.

P & L Profit and loss.

Pack-out Shelf term referring to the number of units necessary to eliminate out-of-stocks.

Permanent Merchandiser A permanent fixture within the store that is freestanding.

Plan-O-Gram (POG) Blueprint or planned shelf layout.

POD Proof of Delivery

POP/POS (Point of Purchase/Point of Sale) Promotional material placed near product shelf or

display.

Pre-Assembled Display with merchandise packed inside the display prior to shipment rather than

shipping display and product separately.

Pre-Awareness Sharing promotional material and information with store management to make them aware and excited about an upcoming new release.

Pre-Price Special pack that has the retail-selling price marked on the package or label prior to

shipment.

Product Display An arrangement of a shelf, rack, clipstrips, freestanding display, etc. of product.

Proof of Purchase Piece of the package consumers use to prove the product was purchased.

Pusher A fixture component that pushes product to the front of the row.

Rebate A cash or credit refund offered to customer for purchasing a product.

Reset All or part of the sections are disassembled and reassembled according to a new POG, in which many products are moved, facings are increased or decreased, old products are

deleted, and new products are cut in.

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Retailer An operator who sells product to the ultimate consumer by means of a store which stocks

product.

ROTO Like a circular, a multi-page flyer published by retailers for consumers.

Sales Tag A preprinted tag that is utilized in front of product that gives sale date title name and UPC (note most common in Circuit City).

SBT Scan Based Trading - the supplier/vendor owns the product in the retailer until the point of sale. The supplier/vendor will later invoice the retailer for goods sold.

Scanning 1. Use of an electronic device passed over a shelf tag or barcode to pick up the item

code and relay it to an inventory system. 2. Used at store checkout where product is

passed over scanner t and price/description is relayed to cash register.

SEM/Shelf label The label on a POG’d area that shows all information for the product (i.e.: UPC/date of label/product description/ store item number).

Shroud A cardboard advertisement that slips over a fixture/pole or security gates in the store.

Sidekick A fixture that is on the side of an end cap.

SKU The stores item number.

UPC universal Product Code - unique number assigned by the manufacturer to a particular

product. Displayed as both a barcode and a numerical code.

SBS Terms

BD Blu-Ray Disc

Blitz A job that is required to be executed within a specific day and time. Most often required

to be reported through Store Visit App or IVR.

CDM Client District Manager - person who manages a specified area for SBS clients

DFC District Field Coordinator - supports region with on boarding, checking status and offering projects to Independent Contractors

DLC Diabetic Life Center

DOS Disk Operating System handheld that uses a text based menu system for the

merchandisers to report assignments.

DS District Support - district support person that assists CDM, ZD, etc.

GO

Great Openings Division - Field force that focuses on new store build outs and remodels

ITS Issue Tracking System - Issues reported on SBS website

JWT Job, Wave Task

Mailing Report SPAR Business Services term for the merchandisers’ schedules. It indicates chains,

stores, and frequency classifications.

MC- 65 , MC-70 Symbol/Motorola mobile computer handheld with Windows based system that the

merchandisers use to report their assignments. This HH has a touch screen that you use

a stylus to navigate the screens.

McKesson Independent Contractors that call on Independent pharmacies.

MS Merchandising Specialists - Independent contractors who literally do the in-store projects for our clients

NAS National Assembly Services - Field force that focuses on all things assembly

NS National Services - Field group that focuses on general merchandising

OOS Out of Stock

QCS Quality Control Supervisor – McKesson

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RIMM Retail Info Materials Mandatory - documents client has deemed mandatory for MS to print and take to store to complete project.

ROD Reset on Demand

RTS Retail Tracking System used to report issues or additional information from an independent contractor regarding service.

RVP Regional Vice President

SAL SBS Assistance Line - merchandisers can call during regular business hours for questions/assistance.

SPAR Sales, Promotion, Analysis, Reporting

Task A task number is used to define type of assignment - see Task Number Definitions

Trait The assigned inline footage and/or fixtures for a store.

Wave Designates year and week of year - wave 201344 is the year 2013 and the 44th week of the year.

Zone Director Person who manages Zone Leads that manage a specified area for SBS clients

Zone Lead Person who manages a specified area for SBS clients

Task Definitions*

Task 1 General merchandising activity

Task 2 additional merchandising activity, generally syndicated with task 1

Task 5 Generally used to designated a second visit is needed during the same week as a task 1 visit

Task 6

Used to report a buddy visit where an additional merchandiser was needed to complete project. Can also be used where a merchandiser takes more than 1 day to complete a project

Task 8 A Go Back visit is scheduled to complete project that through no fault of the merchandiser was not able to be completed on the first visit

Task 20 Precall - used to schedule visit date with store or determine if materials have arrived at store.

Task 22 Incremental Activity - determined by client

Task 23 Incremental Activity - determined by client

Task 26 Incremental Activity - determined by client

Task 27 Incremental Activity - determined by client

Task 40 Used to ship materials to merchandiser - no reporting required

Task 41 used to load a store specific list of titles, general for mandatory returns or title count

Task 51 Monday project

Task 52 Tuesday project

Task 53 Wednesday project

Task 54 Thursday project

Task 55 Friday project

Task 56 Saturday project

Task 57 Sunday project

Task 65 Used to load monthly Proof of Delivery (POD) info for Sony - no reporting required

*task definitions can vary depending on client