EPP’s Post

5R Product - Right Product, Right Price, Right Place, Right Time, Right Quantity. We were blessed to sit down with Jeff Sward of Merchandising Metrics and discuss Retail and Ecomm through the lense of his process. Merchandising Metrics is a set of disciplines and thought processes arrived at after years of experience in the apparel business. The market rarely presents binary black and white alternatives.   Nuanced perspective is required and that is what we discussed here. Follow along with Jennifer Maeve Moloney and Sheena-Leigh Kennerley for more as this conversation develops .

Promotions continue to play a critical role in driving sales, but there is a clear need to go beyond markdowns. Successful retailers are combining promotional activity with messaging around quality, sustainability, and lifestyle value, factors consumers now weigh just as heavily as price. The 2025 IHA State of the Industry report delivers in-depth analysis of these evolving purchase drivers, offering valuable guidance for refining merchandising, pricing, and in-store experiences to meet today’s expectations. https://hubs.li/Q03Jbyg20

Effective retail space management can significantly boost sales, profit margins, and inventory control. Research from firms like Gartner and Deloitte highlights that optimising retail space returns sales increases ranging from 10% to 20%, margin improvements of 5% to 15%, and better inventory management by 5% to 10%. Other research highlights that optimising the use of space directly influences consumer spending. By leveraging data on consumer behaviour, market trends, and product assortment, you can gain valuable shelf insights that foster confidence, credibility and trust. However, it's crucial not to wait for the perfect moment to act; small changes can lead to substantial results. The focus should be on being proactive rather than reactive—would you rather be part of a discussion on lessons learned or one that drives improvement with actionable insights? Proven shelf planning strategies apply across all retail channels, and there's always room for enhancement, no matter your sector. #retail #retailspace #instore #fmcg #categorymanagement #planogram  #retailspaceplanning #planograms #spacemanagement  #assortmentplanning #productmanagement #productowner

True story: A major supplier recently watched sales dip on a key product (one you'd know well). On paper, nothing explained it. Retailer interviews revealed the truth: shelving and merchandising teams had critical insight into the root cause of the performance dip. The suppliers were left unaware. Strong partnerships aren’t just about selling harder. They’re about listening harder. The people closest to the customer often have the answers suppliers can’t see from their side of the table. #CPG #RetailerRelationships #SupplierStrategy #RetailStrategy

In today's complex retail market, a clear divide is emerging in the apparel space. While traditional apparel retailers have struggled, traffic to luxury and off-price segments is now outperforming mid-market chains. This highlights the current bifurcation of consumer spending, where shoppers are gravitating towards either high-end experiences or value-driven deals. Learn more in our new white paper: What is Driving Discretionary Spending in 2025? (linked below).

RETAIL REPORT: Costco’s High-Growth Categories – Q4 FY25 Costco’s fourth quarter net sales increased 8 percent to $84.4 billion. The most striking development was the performance of specific categories, which highlight how the retailer is capturing discretionary and premium spend even in a value-driven format. Gold and Jewelry: This was the fastest-growing segment in the quarter. Members are showing a willingness to purchase premium discretionary items inside a warehouse club environment. Housewares, Apparel and Sporting Goods: These categories also posted strong gains. The combination of curated assortments, recognizable brands and value pricing is driving larger baskets. Small Electrics, Tires and Garden/Patio Products: Growth here demonstrates Costco’s ability to extend its appeal beyond staples into home and lifestyle needs. The data shows that trust and perceived quality encourage members to trade up. Jewelry, apparel and home goods are no longer just traffic drivers; they are strengthening loyalty and margin resilience for Costco in a challenging retail environment.

🏪 FMCG Perfect Store Strategy In FMCG, a Perfect Store means every brand gets the right visibility, availability & conversion setup — every single day. ⸻ 🎯 Objectives • Boost brand visibility • Improve shopper conversion • Ensure store standardization • Maintain consistent sales growth ⸻ 📋 Golden Display Rules 1. Eye Level = Buy Level 👀 — Fast movers at eye level, value packs bottom. 2. Brand Blocking — Same brand SKUs together for strong visibility. 3. Category Flow — Left → Right: small to large, low to high price. 4. Facing Rule (70:20:10) — Top SKUs get more shelf space. 5. FIFO — Old stock in front, new behind. 6. Clean & Bright — Good lighting, no dust. 7. Clear Pricing — Every item must have a visible tag. ⸻ 🧱 Display Types • Primary Shelf – Regular placement • Secondary Display – End caps, gondolas • Off-Shelf – Impulse zones • Cross-Merchandising ⸻ 🧩 Pro Tips ✅ Always check your Perfect Store Scorecard → Availability | Visibility | Compliance | Pricing | Cleanliness ⸻ #Sultan_center #Fmcg #kuwait #Retailbusiness #Management #consistency

If you’re a multi-brand retailer…. I get it, you want to buy into new season stock, but you’ve still got last season’s hanging around. I’ve worked with boutiques in that exact situation, and it’s never about poor buying, it’s about the constant juggle between cashflow, brand relationships and timing. Here are 3 ways that can help ease that pressure: 1️⃣ Ask for a stock swap. Be honest with your suppliers, it shows commitment, not weakness. 2️⃣ Negotiate payment terms. If you can pay upfront, ask for a small discount. Those margins matter. 3️⃣ Work on a sale or return basis. You’ll only pay for what actually sells and can return the rest. Remember, your brands want to see you do well, because when you sell more, they sell more too. If this hit home, follow along for more straight-talking merchandising advice and cost-saving retail ideas. #RetailStrategy #Merchandising #IndependentRetail #FashionRetail #StockManagement #Cashflow #RetailConsultant #MultiBrandBoutique #MajuryMerchandising #RetailGrowth

The right organizational structure... Kroger's retail media arm unified its internal teams as part of a strategic shift to work more holistically with merchandising partners: https://lnkd.in/gxBvQRkP #kroger #foodretail #retailmedia