Representing the collective interests of sales and merchandising companies to address common industry issues and to create minimum standards.
The ASMC was established in 2003 with a number of objectives in mind, but primarily to provide the Sales and Merchandising industry with a collective platform from which a number of key objectives could be initiated and where broad participation could be ensured, ultimately delivering results for the betterment of the industry and all stakeholders. Currently our members employ some 30 000 people.

The key objectives include:
• Look after and represent the collective interests of Sales and Merchandising companies in the industry
• Communication and marketing of the Association and its objectives
• Initiate and participate in retail and wholesale industry initiatives, as well as other governmental and related industries
• Establishing and auditing minimum standards for membership compliance
• Establish standard operating procedures with retailers and wholesalers

The ASMC’s objective is to promote the interests of all the Association members rather than individual companies and to ensure relations with other FMCG stakeholders are advanced and strengthened.

The ASMC has a code of ethics that it strives to instil in all its daily interactions, namely honesty and integrity; fair competition; confidentiality for all parties including clients; and legislative compliance.

The ASMC has been and is involved in a number of industry initiatives to raise the standards within the industry. Some of the initiatives are:

ERS Database
As one of the crime fighting measures the CGCSA Crime Prevention Programme is requesting that all participants within the FMCG industry (the whole supply chain) pre-screen their personnel through the ERS database. The objective of this database is to monitor all employees involved in our industry and to issue them with an ERS number. All subscribers to the database will have access to the ERS database and will be able to pre-screen potential new employees in order to confirm a work history within this industry, this reference checking does not include any criminal information on the person being referenced, only employment history. Similarly when an employee leaves the company the CGC Crime Prevention Office is notified with the termination details. An ERS number is issued to all potential employees that have been referenced. This number is reflected on the Access Control ID Card. The CGCSA do not keep the details of all employees entering into the store, as the purpose of the Crime Prevention Employees Reference site is for previous employment data.

CPP ID Cards
The ID Cards are to be worn by all external service providers including Sales and Merchandising Companies, Logistics Companies, Security Companies and Cleaners, who work in the FMCG retail and wholesale stores. The ID Card carries the individuals (wearers) ID number and ERS number, as well as the name of the company they represent.

CPP Biometrics Project
The Consumer Goods Council (CGC) Crime Prevention Programme (CPP) has instigated a Biometric Access Project with all major retailers and wholesalers and the Association was part of the development committee. The main objective of this project is to have one standard Biometric Access Control System for the FMCG retail and wholesale trade that can be integrated if need be with service provider’s payroll and attendance registers. This is to be used by store employees, as well as outside service providers. The system is linked to the ERS database. In other words, the employee has to be registered on the database before they can enter the store. The Biometrics Access Project will benefit the FMCG industry as a whole.

The Biometrics Access Project will benefit the FMCG industry as a whole.

Service providers will be able to have real time web based information that can be integrated with their payroll, as well as giving them real time information of employee’s attendance. This will enhance productivity, generate savings on their payroll and ensure that pre-set routing is adhered to by all employees, just to name a few.

SETA Accredited Training
The ASMC is involved in setting up a SETA accredited training course specific to sales and merchandising that will ensure that the quality of people within the industry is raised.

Uniforms
The ASMC is also involved in ensuring that all member’s employees have company uniforms that will allow for easy identification in the store.

Accredited Membership
A number of our members have undergone voluntary audits by an external auditing company to ensure compliance with ASMC and legislative criteria.
To view the list of ASMC members, please visit our members page.

Benefits
There are a number of benefits the ASMC brings to its members and the industry, namely; having a collective voice enabling regular contact with major industry players; through the collaborative effort it can positively influence the marketplace in which it operates; minimum standards are encouraged through selected employment criteria and SETA approved training leading to better skills; minimum standards are further enhanced through voluntary audits, accreditation and professional conduct; keeping abreast with industry trends; to name a few.