Buying & Merchandising

This is essential in ensuring the survival of any retail business - buying the right product, at the right price from the right source and then allocating them perfectly.  Many companies struggle with this and thus rely on a start to finish retail merchandising strategy that gives them the right ranges for their current and future customers.  However, they struggle with buying the stock effectively to maximise sales and grow profit.  Customers dictate retail.  Whether it is in-store, online or over the phone, they want to see what’s available and how soon they can get it.  But trying to keep up with competing demands from different channels can cause chaos behind the scenes.  This chaos, or lack of integration on the supply side, makes you less competitive, and can end up disappointing your customers.  Fail to deliver the goods, and you could lose a customer forever.  Shrinking lead times and reducing markdowns with collaborative design, development and trading can be risky.  If we look at a retail cateogory such as fashion, we find it is fickle.  To remain competitive and avoid markdowns, you need to tighten your supply chains, get the right product mix in the right stores at the right time and collaborate with your trading partners.