Natural and organic foods retailer Sunflower Farmers Markets yesterday it has deployed a new space planning and category review system to enhance its ability to execute more customer-centric assortments and merchandising strategies in its stores.

The grocer is using the Apollo Professional solution from market research firm Information Resources, Inc.

"Integrating and upgrading our merchandizing process throughout all Sunflower markets is an important milestone for us," said Chris Sherrell, Sunflower's c.o.o. "IRI's Apollo solutions will help us improve category performance, enhance communication between headquarters and our stores, collaborate more effectively with vendors, and enable us to focus more intently on our shoppers' specific needs. This, in turn, will lead to more effective company operations and better financial results."
 
Apollo Professional system will serve as the foundation for its space planning and category review process, which is particularly challenging for natural and organic products retailers, Sunflower said.

Sunflower Farmers Markets operates 14 retail stores in Denver, Fort Collins, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque, and has expansion plans for Texas and Utah.