Why IDL Worldwide is leading the retail merchandising pack

Source: Retail Exec

Date :21/12/2007 07:09:57

Providing in-store retail merchandising solutions is a tough business, but IDL Worldwide is proving that it can meet the lead time challenge.

Written and produced by James Buchanan & Nick Ledue

For IDL Worldwide, synchronizing all that must be done to fulfill and exceed its retail client’s needs means taking ownership of the entire process, from the client’s marketing concept to delivery of the finished products.

“We feel a deep sense of project ownership when we are working with one of our clients,” says David Ball, president of IDL Worldwide.

“It’s our responsibility to meet and exceed their expectations. Our VP of creative services, John Schreiber, likes to say that we ‘Sell sleep.” That comment means a lot to our group because we know the client is depending on us to deliver.”

With all the issues that retail merchandisers could lose sleep over, store fixtures and in-store communication are areas where IDL believes it can provide some relief.

According to Ball, the business is all about providing retail communication, display and environmental solutions to brands and retailers.

Communication

“We are a value added designer and producer of retail merchandising solutions,” says Ball. “Our products display and communicate the attributes of products and brands to the consumer to help them make an educated buying decision.”

IDL works with some of the most recognizable brands and retailers in the world such as BP, Microsoft, Nike, and Toys R Us, Ball says.

“We are like an advertising agency that derives its revenue through the production of retail-based advertising materials,” says Ball, “which is a very timing-critical business to be in.”

Lead time is perhaps the biggest challenge facing this Pittsburgh, Pa. based company, because speed to market is a main goal of its retail clients.

“After the order is received in the manufacturing group, we are able to get it to market generally in 14 to 21 days,” says Ball. “For some of our products — such as those that are graphics-based — that time to market can be reduced, while for others — such as permanent fixtures and displays — the time could be quite a bit longer...”

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