In the previous blog, “Increase Assortment and Raise Revenue – Part 1: New Product on Board”, we discussed the trend of retailers looking to boost sales by increasing assortment, either by adding new products or related services. To ensure the … Continue reading
Category Archives: Operating Costs
The Three M’s – Merchandisers, Markdowns and Margins
I’ve spent quite a few years in the world of “markdown optimization” helping retailers implement solutions that determine the “optimal” price point that would give a sales lift while maximizing gross margins. From a store ops perspective taking markdowns too … Continue reading →
Butchering Profits
Within any grocer, the meat department tends to have high margins, while at the same time experiencing high losses relative to other departments. This is due to the nature of the product, being highly sensitive and perishable, therefore spoilage and … Continue reading →
Big Data – Insights to a Competitive Advantage
It is commonly thought that data is the foundation of information, and information is knowledge. Yet to gain true insight, large quantities of data may be needed. Today, big data is a term increasingly being used to describe the massive … Continue reading →
Excellence in the Ordinary – Part 2: Growing Revenue
In previous blogs (see Inventory Distortion – Part 1 & 2) we have discussed the advantages that can be gained from reducing inventory distortion, ensuring the right product is on the shelf at the right time; when the customer wants … Continue reading →
Excellence in the Ordinary – Part 1: Reducing Loss
We make a great deal of assumptions in retail operations about how effective our associates are performing, responding to the needs of the business, and complying with company policies and procedures. Assumptions are often made that business is progressing as … Continue reading →
Inventory Distortion – Part 2: Overstock: How much is too much?
Inventory distortion is an issue that can be analyzed and attacked from many different angles. It can develop from a number of sources, including distortions at the vendor level, or non-compliance and process failures at the POS. Attempting to ensure … Continue reading →
Inventory Distortion – Part 1: Increase Revenue Quickly by Minimizing Inventory Distortion
Manufacturers and retailers have been scrutinizing the ongoing out-of-stock (OOS) problem for years. As we know, this OOS dilemma is hurting revenue growth for both the retailers and manufacturers involved. The average 8% to 10% OOS, which soars to around … Continue reading →
Why Reorganize Retail Corporations?
When retailers fall short of their expectations, whether it be a measure of same-store sales or not meeting profit goals, a common practice in the industry is to completely reorganize their business plan. Falling behind same-store sales can be attributed … Continue reading →
Why Same Store Sales Don’t Matter
With all due respect to the analysts, journalists and consultants who make a living keeping track of all the companies that comprise the retail industry, it has been my opinion for some time now that the popular measures reported on … Continue reading →

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