In-Store Execution, Rebuilt

By David Yenzer, Acosta Group President, In-Store Services

In-store merchandising execution is harder than it used to be. We know the challenges well.

Retailers expect more. The shelf is highly competitive. Brands are under pressure to prove ROI at every turn. Inflation is squeezing margins — especially for national CPGs competing against fast-growing private brands.

And in today’s labor market, just getting merchandisers into stores across the country can be tough. Missed visits, inefficient routing, and disconnected tech stacks add complexity and chip away at performance.

We’ve spent the last four years transforming how in-store execution gets done. Not just bigger, but a whole lot smarter.

The Industry’s Strongest Merchandising Team

By bringing Acosta, Premium Retail Services (acquired in 2021), and CROSSMARK (acquired in 2024) into the Acosta Group In-Store Services team, we’ve built a true powerhouse.  

We didn’t simply staple logos together. We made intentional investments to integrate systems, operations, and teams. 

We now operate the largest, most efficient in-store merchandising team in North America and Europe, covering every major retail channel:

• 37,000+ in-store field reps
• 325,000+ store visits weekly
• 200,000+ unique retail stores touched monthly
• Spanning grocery, mass, drug, dollar, convenience, natural, and specialty

With the highest execution rates and the lowest windshield time in the industry, we minimize inefficiencies and maximize our time on the floor, executing. 

Real In-Store Execution ROI, Not Vanity Reporting

We’re past the era of check-the-box compliance reporting. We quantify and justify our clients’ merchandising investment with field performance transparency, data traceability, and ultimately increase sales.  

Our approach is built for agility and accuracy with predictive analytics, dynamic routing, real-time image recognition, and adaptable coverage models that:

• Close gaps that lead to out-of-stocks and missed sales. 
• Capture millions of data points per week across the retail landscape. 
• Validate ROI with POS data integration, top-line uplift, and project-level drill-downs 
• Deliver custom BI dashboards that combine Nielsen/Circana, execution data, and customer-specific attributes for a holistic performance view. 

360: Seamless Field Technology That Powers Precision

Our proprietary 360 platform is the engine behind every store visit. Developed and refined over 20+ years by retail operators — not software vendors — to drive performance and data integrity.  

360 is not a bolt-on tool. It’s the backbone of our execution, elevating both the quality and speed of our in-store initiatives. It’s embedded in every step of the retail lifecycle, from hiring and training to task routing, scheduling, performance management, and reporting. 

Every action our in-store reps take rolls up into one efficient and accountable system that connects directly to your brand’s strategy.

The best part? You’re not locked into our proprietary tech. Our systems are flexible and can integrate directly with your tech stack or the retailer’s, ensuring seamless data flow and visibility across the ecosystem.

Here’s what 360 delivers:

Support That Builds Better Reps

Technology only drives ROI when the people using it are well-prepared and supported. That’s why we’ve reengineered the entire rep lifecycle — from recruiting to training to field support:

• A robust, in-house recruiting team actively sources in-store bench strength so we can quickly scale field teams in any region. 
• Retail Concierge Team (RCT) provides high-touch onboarding for the first 30 days, setting new hires up for success. 
• Retail Training Specialists (RTS) and Development Coordinators (DC) deliver virtual training and in-person coaching to ensure every new hire is confident and capable. This allows field managers to focus on coaching high performers rather than constantly training new hires. 
• Operations Support Center (OSC) resolves field issues immediately, keeping reps focused on execution, not troubleshooting. A critical link between reps, field operations leadership, and clients that reduces downtime and boosts operational momentum. 
• A unified logistics system ensures signage, samples, and complex display assets arrive on time and where needed, reducing friction and costs.

Our local-first model means increased visit frequency, shorter drives and more time in-store, strengthening consistency and retailer relationships. By investing in talent and retention, we deliver a stable, high-quality field force that adapts to your business.

Deployment Models That Flex to Fit Your Brand

From grocery to mass, drug, dollar, club, convenience, natural, and specialty retail — we’re everywhere. Our in-store deployment models are adaptable by retailer, region, and store format. 

We help you select the best fit, then scale from there. Whether you need daily coverage or targeted support at specific retailers or in particular regions, we build a plan around your business goals, budget, and KPIs. It’s the opposite of one-size-fits-all. 

This flexibility empowers us to execute with precision but also supports rapid scalability, whether the engagement requires dedicated, syndicated, or hybrid team configurations.

Syndicated Teams

Cost-effective shared resources for large-scale, multi-channel coverage.

• Smart store segmentation for value, drug, convenience, and beauty retailers. 
• Scalable surge support for seasonal lifts and promotions where DRT is not practical.

Hybrid Model

The best of both: perfect for brands with broad national footprints seeking targeted precision.

• Dedicated reps in high-priority regions or formats. 
• Syndicated support for lower-volume stores. 
• Ideal for scaling without compromising brand standards.

We back all models with advanced route planning and zone creation to reduce inefficiencies and ensure the right coverage where and when it is most impactful.

Dedicated Retail Teams (DRT)

Ideal for brands requiring continuity, exclusive attention, and brand-specific execution.

• Tenured reps trained to uphold your brand standards and messaging, serving as true brand stewards within the retail environment. 
• Aligned to your promotional calendar, channel priorities, tech stack, and KPIs. 
• Foster deep and sustained relationships with store staff and managers for smoother execution. 

What Sets Us Apart

We’re not a staffing agency. Our people aren’t just bodies on a route. They’re a merchandising services field force trained to deliver your retail objectives — speed-to-shelf, promo compliance, or eliminating voids. 
 
No other in-store retail execution provider matches our scale and field-tested precision with:

• Consistency: Standardized workflows and digital verification tools for repeatable, verified, high-quality execution that enhances the customer experience. 
• Agility: We move fast to support market dynamics, new product rollouts, pilots, and seasonal surges.  
• Accountability: Digitally tracked tasks with transparent dashboards measuring our impact from HQ to the store shelf. You see what we see, 24/7.

In-Store Should Work Harder for You

You spend millions building brands and products. But the store shelf is where it gets real — or doesn’t. It takes more than coverage and staffing — it demands a disciplined system powered by real people, data, and commitment.  

When brands transition their in-store services to Acosta Group, results follow, often within the first six months. We are well-versed in:

• Onboarding new clients efficiently 
• Stabilizing and scaling performance quickly 
• Aligning with retail partners 
• Using insights to optimize placement, pricing, and compliance

That’s why our teams are well-trained, equipped with powerful tech, and managed by leaders who prioritize outcomes, not just completed tasks. 

As your priorities evolve — improving on-shelf availability, accelerating product launches, tightening up promo compliance, bringing in new leadership — our team will evolve alongside you.   

Retail doesn’t stand still. Neither do we. 

Let’s get to work.