Firms get awards for distribution success

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Eight firms have taken "best consumer goods distributor" awards for nine categories of products based on a survey conducted by Qasa Strategic Consulting.

In line with the findings of the survey, titled "Most Powerful Distribution Performance 2007", Unilever received two awards as best distributor in the soap and shampoo categories.

PT Indofood Sukses Makmur received an award in the best instant noodle distribution category, PT Bintang Toedjoe in the energy drinks category, PT HM Sampoerna in the cigarettes category, PT Santos Jaya Abadi in the coffee category, PT Dankos Farma in the colds and flu medicine category, PT Johnson Home Hygiene Product in the mosquito coil and lotion category, and PT Nestle Indonesia in the milk category.

The awards were based on a survey of 1,222 traditional large and small retailers in seven major cities -- Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Makassar, a media statement said.

Qasa managing director Joko Wiyono said that the survey was aimed largely at traditional retailers as this segment accounted for some 70 percent of all goods distributed.

"The reason for focusing on traditional retailers is because most people rely on them for their everyday needs," explained Djoko.

The survey included interviews with retailers and product audits using such indicators as availability, payment method, number of display locations, promotional programs, frequency of salesman visits and complaint management.