Synopsis
Successfully launching a retail media network requires more than technology. It calls for a growth strategy backed by an operating plan and data agility. That is why Pattison Food Group partnered with Fastloop to build Western Canada’s first fully owned and operated retail media initiative network. The strategy prioritized digital excellence, data integrity, and revenue growth, by leveraging Pattison Food Group’s digital assets with in-store inventory delivering an omni-channel opportunity for CPG suppliers to engage with millions of Western Canadian shoppers.
Highlights
Profitable new business in year one.
Multi-million dollar profit opportunity.
New operating roles and model.
Challenges
As a trusted Western Canadian retailer with over 100 years of history, Save-On-Foods is well positioned to launch a retail media network by offering suppliers advertising inventory across its in-stores and digital platforms. This approach would strengthen supplier relationships and create a reinforcing loop that supports Pattison Food Group, the parent company’s growth toward becoming a leading Western based brand.
Core challenges include:
As a newcomer to the advertising space, Pattison Food Group would need to navigate a complex ad-tech landscape and manage the learning curve associated with adopting and operating multiple platforms with existing talent.
Integrated cloud infrastructure, new SaaS and IaaS technology plus complex integrations frameworks were required to support event-driven processing, data consumption and campaign activation.
To position as a premium-quality retail media network, close attention is paid to the data foundation, including ETL, data models, real-time processes, campaign dashboards/analytics and audience segmentation and targeting.
Effective stakeholder and change management are prioritised to ensure the retail media effort complements, rather than distracts, from core grocery operations. This includes recognizing constraints on dedicated resources, technical expertise, and the organizational shift from media buying to selling.
Solution
Fastloop was the sole third party partner, driving the engagement from early strategy and opportunity assessment through to implementation and operationalization. As a technology-first, data-savvy consultancy, Fastloop brought deep strategic insights, best practices and domain-specific toolkits, alongside its technical delivery capabilities, to deliver an enterprise-wide launch.
Key components of the solution:
Market planning and business assessment, ROI and Financial Modelling, change management and stakeholder engagement, inventory management, reference architecture and implementation plan.
Solution architecture, integration frameworks, technical negotiation and selection, systems integration, launch and operationalization.
Results and Impact
By transforming the technical delivery framework and validating the market opportunity, Fastloop prepared Pattison Food Group for an organization-wide data-backed implementation. This strategic foundation delivers a multi-million revenue and profit stream, plus creates more value for Pattison Food Group’s community of CPG Suppliers.
A validated, data-backed retail media roadmap
Aligned commercial, technical, and operational plans around a 5-year growth trajectory.
Multi-million revenue / profit stream
Quantified opportunity supported by a clear ROI framework and market-entry strategy.
Deal cycle preparation and change management
Brought Agile thinking to Business-As-Usual teams, designed the operating and delivery practices required to scale the capability efficiently, enabling cross-functional alignment.
Why Fastloop.ai?
Deep understanding of client business
Between existing domain knowledge and similar experience in the industry, Fastloop is able to speak the same language as their client. This means quick identification of challenges they are facing and the opportunities to drive scale and increased profit.
Application of business knowledge to technical solutions
While other businesses with technical expertise tend to go after the niche, technical problems, Fastloop ensures that innovation is always applied practically in a way that makes real sense for their clients.
Quick solutions and long-term success
Fastloop excels at making sure that every step along the way creates value for their clients. By working quickly and iteratively, they ensure that clients get the quick wins while still working towards a long-term version.
Future Outlook
The successful launch of the Retail Media Network serves as the foundation for a multi-year roadmap centered on data innovation. As the ecosystem matures, the focus will shift toward deepening the integration between offline shopper signals and digital attribution, ensuring that every touchpoint from the smart shelf to the mobile app provides a consistent and reliable data stream.