Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has partnered with the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business on a data research project that is providing AWG with advanced analytics, while giving participating students a unique edge in their careers.
The collaboration brings together the spirit of AWG Brands, AWG’s private brand program, with the data science skills of the university’s Master of Science in Business Analytics students.
“Collaborating with the University of Illinois is a fantastic opportunity for both AWG and the students to grow and learn together,” said Patrick Reeves, AWG’s chief human resources officer. “We appreciate their hard work and enjoy the chance to develop and possibly recruit future business leaders.”
Harnessing the power of data, innovation
This is the third year that AWG has partnered with the Gies College of Business. Guided by Ashish Khandelwal, nine students split into two teams and analyzed an immense amount of data to answer questions regarding the effectiveness of business-to-business promotions on sales of specific AWG Brands products.
This complex task involved merging data from different sources and isolating the impact of discounts amidst numerous factors. The teams developed a model that is helping AWG make informed business decisions, while evolving promotional activities.
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A symbiotic relationship
The partnership is designed to be mutually beneficial. Gies MSBA students gain invaluable real world experience by working on live projects that impact AWG’s business strategies. In return, AWG benefits from fresh perspectives and analytical techniques that can drive business improvements.
“AWG’s contribution to our students’ learning is commendable,” Khandelwal said. “The AWG team consistently supports and mentors students on real-world problems and business aspects.”
At the end of each research project, students present their findings to teammates at AWG in a formal presentation. These presentations not only enhance students’ academic learning but also prepare them for future leadership roles in the business world.
“Participating in the AWG capstone project has been an incredibly hands-on and rewarding experience,” said student Preethi Peelamedu Surendran. “It was very encouraging to see how excited the AWG Brands team was about our findings. Their involvement and feedback provided us with much-needed validation and inspired us to push our analytical boundaries.”
