New Online Category Management Training Targets Small Stores

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada and LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Category Management Knowledge Group (CMKG) and b2b Solutions LLC have developed a new online category management training program that is tailored specifically for convenience store and small-store retailers.

The training program is designed to help retailers move to a more strategic, fact-based approach in their business, the companies announced.

Calgary-based CMKG is a category management training company that blends learning solutions, including online, case studies, webinars and live training. It currently serves more than 100 clients and is the first company to become Category Management Association-certified.

“We are very excited to work with b2b Solutions,” said Sue Nicholls, president of CMKG. “Teaming up with b2b Solutions to provide online and custom training solutions to the convenience store industry is an exciting development for our company.”

Lake Forest-based b2b Solutions is a consultancy firm specializing in industry education, research and market penetration strategies. It supports retailer clients with its extensive background in business strategy/planning, retail fuel, marketing/merchandising, foodservice, store operations and information systems.

“We saw a perfect fit for both organizations in our like-minded approaches and visions to build the skills of c-store/small-store owners around the world in order to help them compete with the increasingly competitive marketplace through a more strategic approach to their business,” added Steve Montgomery, president of b2b Solutions.

“Our focus is on real-world, actionable learning; not just theory," he continued. "The foundations of category management certified training, coupled with a strong knowledge and understanding of c-stores and how they work, has led to an incredible and unique learning program that will benefit c-store owners around the world.”

As part of the program launch, a free webinar entitled “Category Management in Your C-store/Small Store Overview” will be hosted on Oct. 8 and again on Nov. 19. Seats are limited.

To register for the webinar, click here.