Make your category more relevant and profitable with strong Category Management. From vision to tangible plans on the shop floor.
Strong Category Management is the driving force behind sustainable growth in retail and foodservice. It’s about understanding the shopper, turning insights into strategy, and creating tangible impact in-store. Whether you’re developing a vision, building a category plan, or professionalising your processes – we help you move forward.
We combine strategic insight with practical tools and years of market experience. Together, we build categories that are relevant to shoppers and profitable for your organisation. From analysis to implementation – we make Category Management concrete, effective and practically applicable.
From vision to growth
on the shop floor
Category vision & plan
Developing or refreshing your category vision? It’s essential to set direction based on shopper insights and market trends. A strong vision provides clarity and leads to a concrete annual plan. Working towards one shared vision makes your plan more effective.
The Category & Trade Company guides the entire process – from analysis to execution. This helps you drive growth with tangible impact, both within your organisation and on the shop floor.
Collaboration projects
A category vision can be developed by retailers or suppliers – but together, you go further. The Category & Trade Company facilitates collaboration projects in Category Management where both sides combine their expertise into one strong, shared plan.
As an independent facilitator, we bring structure, focus and results to the process. This strengthens not just the plan itself, but also the long-term partnership
Interim Specialists
The interim specialists at The Category & Trade Company bring experience that truly makes a difference. With a clear brief, they don’t just deliver results – they go beyond the assignment. They get the work done, run projects and help raise the organisation to a higher level. Always with an eye on the bigger picture and a focus on achieving tangible results.
Advanced Training Courses
Category Management
In this training, you’ll learn how to translate shopper and market insights into concrete category visions and plans. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how retail formats work, explore strategies and tactics using analyses, tools and cases, and apply them straight away in practice. Strengthen your role and increase the value of your category!
€ 1.825,- (excl. VAT)
12 May & 23 June 2026
6 October & 27 October 2026
Category Management
Online
In this training, you’ll learn how to use data, tools and insights to optimise your online assortment and boost conversion. You’ll discover how to make better use of digital platforms and strengthen collaboration between retailers. For both starters and experienced professionals!
€ 1.825,- (excl. VAT)
22 September & 29 October 2026
Category Management
in foodservice
In this training, you’ll learn how to apply Category Management, Trade Marketing and retail format principles effectively within the foodservice and out-of-home markets. You’ll explore trends, channels, shoppers and routes to market, and work with tools you can use immediately.
€ 1.825,- (excl. VAT)
1 October & 5 November 2026
Format Management
In this two-day training, you’ll learn how to translate brand identity and strategy into clear retail format principles and building blocks such as location, layout, service, assortment, price, presentation and promotion. You’ll discover how to create focus and consistency through format policy, management and execution.
€ 1.825,- (excl.VAT)
17 November & 10 December
What our clients say about us
“The Customer Journey training gave me valuable insights into all my different touchpoints. I started putting it into practice right away.”
Mehmet Eser
Foodservice HOMiES
“Category management is a true specialism. I’d highly recommend this training to anyone involved in category development.”
Marleen Ligtenbarg,
Marketingmanager Maaltijd Thuis
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a strong category vision deliver in practice?
A well-defined category vision gives long-term direction for growth. Growth drivers form the basis for better choices in assortment, promotion, presentation and collaboration – all contributing to category growth.
Do you work with retailers, suppliers, or both?
We work for and with both. Facilitating collaboration between retailers and suppliers is one of our key strengths.
Can you support the entire process?
Yes – from analysis to implementation. We support both strategy and execution, including workshops and stakeholder management.
Is Category Management only relevant for FMCG?
No. It applies to any sector where space, assortment and shopper behaviour come together – including DIY, health & beauty, garden and pet specialists, and across foodservice channels.
