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Case Study: Barilla Spa

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Executive Summary:

Barilla was the largest pasta manufacturer in the world, making 35% of all pasta sold in Italy and 22% of all pasta sold in Europe. In addition, Barilla held a 29% share of the Italian bakery-products market. Competing in a crowded field of over 2,000 Italian pasta manufacturers and the Italian pasta market as a whole was relatively flat, growing less than 1% per year. Per capita pasta consumption in Italy averaged nearly 18 kilos per year and relatively consistent throughout the year. A few pasta types experienced some seasonality.

Variation in distributor’s order pattern have caused severe operational inefficiencies and cost penalties for Barilla. The extreme variability in orders that Barilla receives is …show more content…

Barilla divided each year into 10 or 12 "canvass" periods, typically four to five weeks in length, each corresponding to a promotional program.

During any canvass period, a Barilla distributor could buy as much product as desired to meet current and future needs.

Incentives for Barilla sales representatives were based on achieving sales targets set for each canvass period. Different product categories were offered during different canvass periods, with the discount depending on the margin structure of the category.

Barilla also offered volume discounts. For example, Barilla paid for transportation to distributors, and offered incentives of 2% to 3% for orders in full truck-load quantities. In addition, a sales representative might offer a buyer a 1,000 lire/carton discount (representing a 4% discount) if the buyer purchased a minimum of three truck-loads of Barilla egg pasta.

Role of Sales Representatives/ Customer Service:

Barilla sales representatives serving DOs spent an estimated 90% of their time working at the store level. In the store, sales reps helped merchandise Barilla product and set up in-store promotions; took note of competitive information including competitors ' prices, stock outs, and new product introductions; and discussed Barilla products and ordering strategies with store management. In addition, each sales rep spent half a day in a regularly scheduled weekly meeting with the distributor 's buyer, helping

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