Information analysis system, information analysis method, and information analysis program

Abstract

To analyze competitive relationships among sales objects with high accuracy.SOLUTION: An information analysis system is provided with: a storage device that stores sales performance data for multiple sales objects and feature data in which features of the sales objects are associated with the sales objects; and an analysis unit that uses index values of the multiple sales objects, which have been obtained based on the feature data, and transitions in sales performance of the multiple sales objects, which are obtained based on the sales performance data, and outputs, as sales objects having a competitive relationship, sales objects for which the index values are similar and trends of the transitions in sales performance are in opposite directions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information analysis system, an information analysis method, and an information analysis program. [Background technology]

[0002] In stores that sell products, a phenomenon called cannibalization can occur. Cannibalization is a phenomenon in which, for example, a certain product competes with other products of the same type, cannibalizing each other's demand. Furthermore, stores are subject to physical constraints such as sales floor space, making it unrealistic to display all of the many types of products or countless products available on the market. In order to improve sales in a store, it is important to determine the product lineup by taking into account cannibalization between products within the physical constraints of the sales floor. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technology for determining the product lineup by taking into account cannibalization between products within the physical constraints of the sales floor.

[0003] Patent Document 1 states that "in a situation where no store has a complete product lineup, the order quantity of a product is determined taking into consideration cannibalization between products." and "the management device 20 includes an acquisition unit 212, an estimation unit 213, and a determination unit 214. The acquisition unit 212 acquires first and second sales quantities. The first sales quantity indicates the sales quantity of product X at a first store that does not sell product Y, of products X and Y that cannibalize each other's demand. The second sales quantity indicates the sales quantity of product Y at a second store that sells product X and product Y. The estimation unit 213 estimates the substitution probability between product X and product Y, the original demand rate of a product group consisting of product X and product Y at the first store, and the original demand rate of the product group at the second store, based on the first and second sales quantities. The determination unit 214 determines the order quantities of product X and product Y at the first store based on the substitution probability and the original demand rate of each of product X and product Y." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-111136 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that cannibalization occurs between products of the same type, such as sweets and soft drinks. However, cannibalization can occur across types. For example, when a customer wants to feel refreshed, cannibalization occurs between sweets and soft drinks. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to determining a product lineup that takes into account cannibalization between products of different types that satisfy the same need. The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to solve a problem by analyzing competitive relationships that arise across product types, which makes it possible to determine a product lineup that takes into account cannibalization between products across product types that satisfy the same needs, for example, within the physical constraints of a sales floor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information analysis system of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a storage device that stores sales performance data for a plurality of sales targets and feature data that associates the sales targets with their features; and an analysis unit that uses index values for the plurality of sales targets calculated based on the feature data and trends in sales performance for the plurality of sales targets calculated based on the sales performance data, and outputs sales targets that have similar index values and whose sales performance trends are in opposite directions as competing sales targets. The information analysis method of the present invention is characterized in that it includes the steps of: an information analysis device acquiring index values based on the characteristics of a sales object; acquiring sales performance for the sales object; and outputting, as competing sales objects, sales objects having similar index values and sales performance trends in opposite directions. The information analysis program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute the steps of acquiring index values based on the characteristics of a sales object, acquiring sales performance for the sales object, and outputting, as competing sales objects, sales objects having similar index values and sales performance trends in opposite directions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The information analysis system, information analysis method, and information analysis program disclosed herein can analyze competitive relationships among sales targets with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration including an information analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information analysis Web AP server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information analysis DB server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a client terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing the data configuration of a sales performance (daily single item) table included in the information analysis DB server of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 shows a table structure of a product hierarchy master included in the information analysis DB server of this embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing the data configuration of a product master included in the information analysis DB server of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the data configuration of a product feature needs conversion master included in the information analysis DB server of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing the data configuration of a product needs level master included in the information analysis DB server of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of a processing procedure of an information analysis method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing procedure of the information analysis method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cannibalization input screen in the client terminal of the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cannibalization output screen in the client terminal of the present embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a modified example of output information. [Figure 15] This is a modified example (part 1) in which customer needs level is used. [Figure 16] This is a modified example (part 2) in which customer needs levels are used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0010] (System Configuration) An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network including an information analysis system according to this embodiment. The information analysis system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a computer system that enables analysis of cannibalization between products of different types that satisfy the same needs in the retail industry, under the physical constraints of a sales floor.

[0011] 1, this information analysis system 100 is configured by the cooperation of an information analysis Web / AP server 101 and an information analysis DB server 102, which are communicatively connected to each other via a network 104. Of course, this configuration of the information analysis system 100 is just one example, and these servers may also be implemented as an integrated server device.

[0012] On the other hand, the client terminal 103 is a terminal used by a user who wants to recognize cannibalization between products in order to determine the product lineup, such as in a retail product department, and is capable of communicating with, for example, the information analysis Web AP server 101 via the above-mentioned network 104.

[0013] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of each server that constitutes the information analysis system 100. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information analysis Web / AP server 101 in this embodiment.

[0014] The information analysis Web AP server 101 in this embodiment includes a storage device 201 configured as an appropriate nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, a memory 203 configured as a volatile storage device such as RAM, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 202 that is a computing device that reads out and executes a program 210 stored in the storage device 201 into the memory 203, thereby performing overall control of the device itself and making various judgments, calculations, and control processes, and a communication device 206 that communicates with a client terminal 103 operated by a user via a network 104. The program 210 in the storage device 201 is a program that implements a cannibalization analysis function, which is a function necessary for the information analysis system 100 of this embodiment.

[0015] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information analysis DB server 102 in this embodiment. The information analysis DB server 102 in this embodiment includes a storage device 301 configured as an appropriate nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, a memory 303 configured as a volatile storage device such as RAM, a CPU 302 that reads out a program 310 stored in the storage device 301 into the memory and executes it to perform overall control of the device itself as well as various judgments, calculations, and control processes, and a communication device 306 that is connected to the network 104 and handles communication processes with other devices. In addition to the program 310, the storage device 301 also includes a sales performance (daily single item) table 311, a product hierarchy master 315, a product master 312, a product feature needs conversion master 313, and a product needs level master 314.

[0016] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 103 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 103 of this embodiment. The client terminal 103 includes a storage device 401 configured as an appropriate nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, a memory 403 configured as a volatile storage device such as RAM, a CPU 402 that reads a program 410 stored in the storage device into the memory 403 and executes it to perform overall control of the device itself and perform various judgments, calculations, and control processes, an input device 404 that accepts key inputs and voice inputs from the user, an output device 405 such as a display that displays processed data, and a communication device 406 that connects to the network 104 and handles communication processing with the information analysis Web AP server 101 and the like. In addition to the program 410, the storage device 401 also stores screen data for a cannibalization analysis information input screen 450 and a cannibalization analysis information output screen 460. The screen data for the cannibalization analysis information input screen 450, the cannibalization analysis information output screen 460, and the like may be part of the program 410.

[0017] (System features) Next, a description will be given of the functions provided in the information analysis system 100 of this embodiment. The functions described below are implemented, for example, by executing a program 210 provided in the information analysis Web / AP server 101 in the information analysis system 100. Of course, other servers may also have similar functions, or the functions may be divided and held between servers to cooperate with each other.

[0018] (Product master registration) The information analysis system 100 of this embodiment has the function of accepting product information describing the characteristics of each product from the user's client terminal 103 as information about each product, and storing the accepted information in a storage device as a product master 312.

[0019] (Register the needs level for each product) In addition, the information analysis system 100 has the function of searching for the needs level linked to the product value of the relevant product in a storage device (which is assumed to have obtained and stored information on the product feature needs conversion master 313 from the information analysis DB server 102) based on the product information obtained in the above-mentioned process, and storing the relevant product name and needs level in the storage device as the product needs level master 314.

[0020] Here, as will be explained in detail later, product values are assigned words that indicate the characteristics of the product. Need levels are index values that map product values to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. For example, the product value of satisfying hunger satisfies physiological needs and is a need at the first level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The product value of beauty satisfies social needs and is a need at the third level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In other words, even though they belong to the same food and drink category, snacks and diet foods are at different levels. On the other hand, diet foods and cosmetics are classified differently, but both have the product value of beauty and are at the same level. Competition between products is expected to occur even if they are classified differently, as long as they are at the same level. For example, when shopping within an allocated budget for beauty purposes, one may have to choose between purchasing diet foods or cosmetics. The needs level uses the hierarchy of Maslow's five stages of needs as an index, and in this embodiment, a value of 0 to 1 is assigned to each product.

[0021] (Function to obtain information according to analytical requirements) The information analysis system 100 also has the function of receiving an analysis request including the relevant needs level and comparison period from the client terminal 103, retrieving the relevant product corresponding to the received identification information from a storage device, and retrieving information on the sales performance of the relevant product during the relevant period from the storage device (which is assumed to have obtained and stored information on the sales performance table 311 from the information analysis DB server 102).

[0022] (Information aggregation function) The information analysis system 100 also has a function of aggregating the sales performance information of the relevant product acquired in the above-mentioned process for the relevant period.

[0023] (Cannibalization calculation and display function) In addition, the information analysis system 100 has the function of calculating the sales and sales growth rate of the relevant product for the relevant period based on the results of the above-mentioned aggregation, and displaying information on the sales and sales growth rate on the client terminal 103.

[0024] (Data configuration example) Next, an example of the configuration of data held by the server constituting the information analysis system 100 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a sales performance (daily item) table 311 provided in the information analysis DB server 102. This sales performance table is a table generated by storing POS data acquired from the POS systems, etc., of each store that sells products by the information analysis DB server 102, for example, and has the following items as table items.

[0025] That is, organizational hierarchy 1, organizational hierarchy 2, organizational hierarchy 3, product hierarchy 1, product hierarchy 2, product hierarchy 3, product code or JAN code of the product, date of sale, selling price, sales quantity, and sales amount. In this sales performance table, the organizations that sell the products are categorized hierarchically, from the broadest concept, as follows: organizational hierarchy 1 corresponding to the store operating company, organizational hierarchy 2 corresponding to the store location area, and organizational hierarchy 3 corresponding to each store. Similarly, in this sales performance table, the products sold at each store are hierarchically categorized according to their concept, with product hierarchy 1 corresponding to a broad product category such as "coffee," product hierarchy 2 corresponding to medium-level product categories such as "instant coffee" and "regular coffee," which are sub-concepts of "coffee," and product hierarchy 3 corresponding to lower-level product categories such as "bottled," "refill," and "small bottled," which are sub-concepts of "instant coffee."

[0026] 6 shows the table structure of the product hierarchy master 315 provided in the information analysis DB server 102. This product hierarchy master 315 is a table that is generated by, for example, the information analysis DB server 102 by storing user input values received from the client terminal 103, and has the following items as table items:

[0027] That is, product layer 1, product layer 1 name, product layer 2, product layer 2 name, product layer 3, and product layer 3 name. The concept of product layers has already been described above. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, the highest concept, "product layer 1," is defined as "coffee," "product layer 2," which is a subordinate concept of product layer 1, is defined as "instant coffee" and "regular coffee," and "product layer 3," which is a subordinate concept of product layer 2, is defined as "bottled," "refill," "small bottle," etc. In addition, each product layer is assigned identification information "111," "1112," and "11121." When a user inputs conditions via the cannibalization analysis information input screen on the client terminal 103, the information analysis DB server 102 transmits this product layer master 315 to the information analysis WEB / AP server 101.

[0028] 7 shows the table structure of the product master 312 included in the information analysis DB server 102. This product master 312 is a table that the information analysis DB server 102 generates by storing user input values received from the client terminal 103, for example, and has the following items as table items.

[0029] That is, product code, product name, product layer 1, product layer 2, product layer 3, product value 1, product value 2, and product value 3. The concept of product layers has already been described above. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 7, "product value" is defined as "refreshment," "health," "peace of mind," "interaction," "diversity," etc.

[0030] 8 shows the table structure of the product feature needs conversion master 313 provided in the information analysis DB server 102. This product feature needs conversion master 313 is a table that is generated by, for example, the information analysis DB server 102 by storing user input values received from the client terminal 103, and has the following items as table items.

[0031] That is, product features and needs levels. Here, product features include product hierarchy and product value. The concept of product hierarchy has already been described above, and in the configuration illustrated in Figure 8, "product value" is defined as "candy," "carbonated drinks," "beauty products," "refreshment," "health," "peace of mind," "interaction," and "diversity," and "needs level" is defined as 0.2, 0.1, 0.5, 0.3, 0.4, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, etc.

[0032] 9 shows the table structure of the product needs level master 314 provided in the information analysis DB server 102. This product needs level master 314 is calculated from the product hierarchy master 315, the product master 312, and the product feature needs conversion master 313, and associates each product with its needs level.

[0033] FIG. 9 has the items of product code, product name, and need level. For example, the product name of product code "1111111" is "Candy A" and the need level is "0.3." The product name of product code "1112111" is "Carbonated Drink B" and the need level is "0.3." The product name of product code "1191111" is "Facial Paper C" and the need level is "0.3." This shows that when the need levels are the same or similar, competition occurs across product categories.

[0034] (Processing procedure example 1) The actual procedure of the information analysis method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The various operations corresponding to the information analysis method described below are realized by a program that is read into each memory or the like and executed by each server constituting the information analysis system 100. This program is composed of code for performing the various operations described below.

[0035] (Overview) FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing Example 1 of the processing procedure of the information analysis method in this embodiment, and specifically, is a sequence diagram showing the flow in which the information analysis Web / AP server 101, the information analysis DB server 102, and the like that make up the information analysis system 100 receive various requests from the client terminal 103 via the cannibalization analysis information input screen, and finally output the analysis results to the cannibalization analysis information output screen.

[0036] (Product registration request, product registration processing, sales record accumulation) First, a predetermined user who manages a retail store or the like sends product information describing the characteristics of the product as information about the products they handle from the client terminal 103 to the information analysis Web·AP server 101. Having received the product information from the client terminal 103, the information analysis Web·AP server 101 executes a product registration function and first instructs the information analysis DB server 102 to acquire information necessary for product registration processing. On the other hand, the information analysis DB server 102 receives this acquisition instruction and transmits information from the product feature needs conversion master 313 to the information analysis Web·AP server 101 in response to the request.

[0037] The information analysis web-AP server 101 receives the information sent in the above steps from the information analysis DB server 102 and executes product registration processing using the product registration function. The results of the product registration processing are sent to the information analysis web-AP server 101 and registered in the product master 312 and product needs level master 314. Furthermore, sales records and the like for the registered products are sent from the POS system of the corresponding store to the information analysis DB server 102 and stored in the sales record table 311.

[0038] (User ID and password reception and transmission) After that timing, the client terminal 103 receives a predetermined instruction from the user via the input device, displays a predetermined login screen on the output device, and accepts input of a user ID and password on that screen. The client terminal 103 transmits this user ID and password to the information analysis DB server 102 via the network.

[0039] (Authentication process) On the other hand, the information analysis DB server 102 receives the login ID and password from the client terminal 103, and executes authentication processing by checking them against a predetermined login table (authentication information stored for each user in a storage device). This authentication processing itself is based on existing technology.

[0040] (Regarding processing based on the results of authentication processing) If the result of the authentication process is unsuccessful, the information analysis DB server 102 generates an error screen, returns it to the client terminal 103, and ends the process. On the other hand, if the result of the authentication is successful, the information analysis DB server 102 returns a cannibalization analysis information input screen to the client terminal 103. For this reason, although not particularly shown, the information analysis DB server 102 stores screen data for the cannibalization analysis information input screen in advance in a storage device.

[0041] (Conditions accepted on the cannibalization analysis information input screen) On the other hand, the client terminal 103 accepts input of conditions related to the analysis request from the user on the cannibalization analysis information input screen, and transmits this to the information analysis Web AP server 101. As conditions accepted on this cannibalization analysis information input screen, items such as needs level and comparison method can be envisioned, as exemplified in FIG.

[0042] (Information acquisition instructions for cannibalization analysis processing, information acquisition instruction reception, special sale product master acquisition / transmission, special sale store master acquisition / transmission) The information analysis Web-AP server 101, which has received the above-mentioned input conditions from the client terminal 103, executes the cannibalization analysis function and first instructs the information analysis DB server 102 to acquire the information necessary for processing the information analysis of this embodiment. Meanwhile, the information analysis DB server 102 receives this acquisition instruction and transmits to the information analysis Web-AP server 101 the information in the sales performance (daily single item) table 311 and the product needs level master 314 stored in its own storage device.

[0043] (Execute cannibalization analysis process, output cannibalization analysis information) The information analysis web-AP server 101 obtains the information transmitted in the above steps from the information analysis DB server 102 and performs cannibalization analysis using a cannibalization analysis function. The information analysis web-AP server 101 transmits the results of this cannibalization analysis to the client terminal 103 via a cannibalization analysis information output screen. The client terminal 103 displays the results of the cannibalization analysis on this cannibalization analysis information output screen.

[0044] (Processing procedure example 2) 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing procedure of the information analysis method according to this embodiment, specifically, a flowchart executed by the cannibalization analysis function of the information analysis WEB / AP server 101. Here, the above steps, i.e., the cannibalization analysis processing, will be described in detail.

[0045] (receiving an analysis request) First, in step 1001, the information analysis Web AP server 101 receives an analysis request from the client terminal 103, which includes the values of the needs level and comparison method input on the cannibalization analysis information input screen.

[0046] (Extract information from product needs level master based on analysis requirements) Next, in step 1002, the information analysis Web AP server 101 extracts the product code and product name values from the product need level master 314 that has already been obtained from the information analysis DB server 102 and stored in the storage device, using the need level indicated by the above-mentioned analysis request as a key.

[0047] (Extract information from the sales performance table based on the acquired data) Next, in step 1003, the information analysis Web AP server 101 extracts sales results such as unit price, sales quantity, and sales amount for each product code in the sales results table 311 based on the product codes acquired in the above steps and the values of the comparison method indicated in the above analysis request.

[0048] (Total sales) In step 1004, the information analysis Web AP server 101 extracts the date that belongs to the relevant comparison method from each record in the above-mentioned sales performance (daily item) table 311, using the value of the comparison method indicated by the analysis request as a key, and classifies the relevant period from which this value was extracted into a previous period (the date that corresponds to the previous period of the comparison method indicated by the analysis request) and a subsequent period (the date that corresponds to the subsequent period of the comparison method indicated by the analysis request), and tallies the sales amount for each based on the sales performance (obtained in step 1004). The sales amount can be calculated by tallying the sales for the relevant period in the sales performance table 311.

[0049] (Sales growth rate calculation) Next, in step 1005, the information analysis Web AP server 101 calculates the sales growth rate from the sales figures (extracted in step 1005) for the previous and subsequent periods tallied in the above steps. Here, the sales growth rate can be calculated using the formula "sales for the subsequent period / sales for the previous period."

[0050] (classification) Next, in step 1006, the information analysis Web AP server 101 classifies the sales into increased sales, same sales, and decreased sales based on the sales growth rate for each product calculated in the above steps. For example, the classification method can be as follows: if the sales growth rate is less than -5%, it is decreased sales, if it is greater than +5%, it is increased sales, and otherwise it is the same sales.

[0051] (Screen data generation table) At this time, the information analysis Web AP server 101 generates screen data for a cannibalization analysis information output screen, as shown in Fig. 13. In this example, the needs level and comparison method that were the subject of the information analysis are displayed as keys, and a table is created in which the product name, sales amount, and sales growth rate values are associated for representative products for each classification that is the processing result of the cannibalization analysis function. To select representative products, for example, the product with the highest sales growth rate can be selected as the representative product for increased sales, and the product with the lowest sales growth rate can be selected as the representative product for decreased sales.

[0052] (Display of calculation results) Next, in step 1007, the information analysis Web AP server 101 transmits the calculation results obtained by the cannibalization analysis function through the above processing to the client terminal 103, and displays them on the cannibalization analysis information output screen. A user viewing the output screen on the client terminal 103 can recognize at a glance from the screen contents of Figure 13 which products are experiencing sales growth or sales declines within the range of the selected need level and comparison method, for example, based on the sales growth rate in the table, and can decide on a product lineup that takes into account cannibalization between products across categories that satisfy the same need.

[0053] Fig. 12 is a specific example of a cannibalization input screen displayed on client terminal 103. The cannibalization input screen in Fig. 12 allows input of items such as organizational hierarchy 1 (store operating company), organizational hierarchy 2 (area), organizational hierarchy 3 (store), product hierarchy 1, product hierarchy 2, product hierarchy 3, need level, and comparison method, and is provided with an "OK" button and a "Cancel" button.

[0054] Fig. 13 is a specific example of a cannibalization output screen displayed by client terminal 103. The cannibalization output screen in Fig. 13 displays a result table in addition to input items such as organizational hierarchy 1 (store operating company), organizational hierarchy 2 (area), organizational hierarchy 3 (store), product hierarchy 1, product hierarchy 2, product hierarchy 3, need level, and comparison method. The results table displays the product name, need level, sales amount, and sales growth rate.

[0055] Fig. 14 shows a modified example of output information. As shown in Fig. 14, the information analysis Web AP server 101 can also generate graph display data as a cannibalization analysis information output screen. The graph display data in Fig. 14 is a bubble chart showing the need level, sales in the later period, and sales growth rate for each product, with the horizontal axis representing the need level for each product, the vertical axis representing the sales growth rate for each product, and the size of the circle representing the sales amount for each product. This chart may be displayed together with the screen data in Fig. 13. In the bubble chart shown in FIG. 14, products with similar values on the horizontal axis and opposite signs of sales rates are shown to be in a competitive relationship.

[0056] Next, the calculation of the needs level will be described. The needs level for each product is calculated, for example, using the following formula (1).

number

[0057] From the relationship between the needs level, sales growth rate, and sales for each product as shown in Figure 14, it is possible to analyze cannibalization between products at similar needs levels, but it is also possible to extract them at the needs level and conduct a more detailed analysis. For example, if extraction is performed at the needs level, the table displayed in Figure 13 will correspond to the selected needs level, and cannibalization can be determined by focusing only on sales growth rate and sales amount, making it easier to select a product lineup that takes cannibalization into consideration.

[0058] In addition, when selecting the need level in the above analysis, the user may set it manually, It is also possible to select a store or customer and automatically extract the corresponding need level. The latter need level will be called the customer need level.

[0059] The customer needs level is calculated, for example, by the following formula (2).

number

[0060] In this formula, the number of sales may be used instead of the sales amount, and the customer need level may be calculated taking into account the size of the number of sales. In this case, the following formula (3) is used.

number

[0061] Alternatively, the average need level of the purchased products may be calculated as the customer need level without considering sales. In this case, the following formula (4) is used.

number

[0062] The customer need level can be extracted for the target by using the extraction conditions of the original data. For example, if a specific store is selected in organizational hierarchy 3 and calculated, the overall customer need level for that store can be calculated, and if a specific area is selected in organizational hierarchy 2, the overall customer need level for that area can be calculated. For a more detailed analysis, if a customer attribute (such as gender, age, occupation, etc., or a combination of these) is selected and calculated, the overall customer need level for that customer attribute can be calculated. For example, when a user wants to decide on a product lineup targeting a specific age group, it is possible to analyze cannibalization at the overall customer need level for that age group.

[0063] Figures 15 and 16 show modified examples in which customer need levels are used. When the need level item is set to "customer need level" on the input screen shown in Figure 12, a customer need level item is added to the output screen as shown in Figure 15. The customer need level is a calculation of the needs of customers at a specified store. The calculated customer need level can also be displayed in a bubble chart as shown in FIG.

[0064] As described above, the information analysis system 100 disclosed in the embodiments includes a storage device 301 that stores sales performance data for a plurality of sales targets and feature data that associates the sales targets with their features, and an information analysis web / AP server 101 that functions as an analysis unit that uses index values for the plurality of sales targets calculated based on the feature data and trends in sales performance for the plurality of sales targets calculated based on the sales performance data, and outputs sales targets that have similar index values and whose sales performance trends are in opposite directions as competing sales targets. This allows for highly accurate analysis of competitive relationships among sales targets.

[0065] The storage device further stores conversion data for converting words used as characteristics of the sales object into the index value, and the analysis unit calculates the index value from the characteristic data and the conversion data. This allows the characteristics of the items for sale to be easily converted into index values, making it possible to evaluate diverse values using a single evaluation axis.

[0066] In addition, the feature data associates one or more words with one sales object, and the analysis unit determines one or more index values for the one or more words associated with one sales object by referring to the conversion data, and statistically processes the one or more index values to determine the index value of the one sales object. Therefore, it is possible to obtain appropriate index values for sales objects with diverse characteristics.

[0067] The feature data classifies the sales objects into a hierarchical structure, and associates words used as the features with each hierarchy. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an appropriate index value that reflects the classification of the sales object.

[0068] Moreover, the index value is, for example, a value corresponding to the stage of consumer desire. This allows us to compare products for sale using appropriate evaluation indicators that transcend classification based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

[0069] The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been specifically described above, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above example, the index value was calculated based on Maslow's five-stage hierarchy of needs, but any index value can be used as long as it can evaluate multiple sales targets using a single evaluation axis.

[0070] According to this embodiment, for example, predetermined personnel can easily grasp what types of cannibalization are occurring between products in the product lineup of a store or the like. Furthermore, the personnel can grasp cannibalization not only between products in the same category, but also between products in different categories that satisfy the same needs. In other words, when determining the product lineup of a store or the like, the information from the information analysis of this embodiment can be used as auxiliary information for determining a product lineup that avoids cannibalization and effectively satisfies needs within the physical constraints of the sales floor. Therefore, it is possible to determine a product lineup that takes into account cannibalization between products across categories that satisfy the same needs within the physical constraints of the sales floor.

[0071] In addition, although the above embodiment shows an example in which cannibalization between products in the retail industry can be analyzed, the sales objects are not limited to goods, but may also include services. For example, it is possible to evaluate the competition between goods such as diet foods and services such as sports gyms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100 Information Analysis System 101 Information Analysis Web AP Server 102 Information Analysis DB Server 103 Client terminal (other terminal) 104 Network 201 Storage device 202 CPU 203 memory 206 Communication Equipment 210 Programs 301 Storage device 302 CPU 303 Memory 306 Communication Equipment 310 Program 311 Sales performance table 312 Product Master 313 Product feature needs conversion master 314 Product Needs Level Master 315 Product Hierarchy Master 401 Storage device 402 CPU 403 Memory 404 Input Device 405 Output Device 406 Communication Equipment 410 Program 450 Cannibalization analysis information input screen 460 Cannibalization analysis information output screen

Claims

1. a storage device that stores sales performance data for a plurality of sales objects and characteristic data that associates the sales objects with characteristics of the sales objects; an analysis unit that uses index values of the plurality of sales targets calculated based on the characteristic data and trends in sales performance of the plurality of sales targets calculated based on the sales performance data, and outputs sales targets having similar index values and sales performance trends in opposite directions as competing sales targets; An information analysis system comprising:

2. The information analysis system according to claim 1, the storage device further stores conversion data for converting words used as characteristics of the sales object into the index value; The information analysis system is characterized in that the analysis unit calculates the index value from the feature data and the converted data.

3. The information analysis system according to claim 2, The feature data associates one or more words with one sales object, The information analysis system is characterized in that the analysis unit determines one or more index values for one or more words associated with one sales object by referring to the conversion data, and performs statistical processing on the one or more index values to determine the index value for the one sales object.

4. The information analysis system according to claim 3, The information analysis system is characterized in that the characteristic data classifies the sales objects in a hierarchical structure and associates words used as the characteristics with each hierarchy.

5. The information analysis system according to claim 1, An information analysis system characterized in that the index value is a value corresponding to a stage of consumer desires.

6. The information analysis device obtaining an index value based on characteristics of the object for sale; acquiring a sales record for the sales object; a step of outputting, as competing sales targets, sales targets having similar index values and sales performance trends in opposite directions; An information analysis method comprising:

7. On the computer, obtaining an index value based on characteristics of the object for sale; acquiring a sales record for the sales object; a step of outputting, as competing sales targets, sales targets having similar index values and sales performance trends in opposite directions; An information analysis program characterized by executing the above.

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