Retail Stock/Inventory Management Expert

LET’S TALK STOCK

My Retail Journey, Your Retail Advantage

Read about my journey so you can turn retail challenges into sustainable growth

In Conversation: Retail Wisdom in Practice

Podcasts & Practical Tips to Help your Journey

What Our Clients Say About Us

A Worthwhile Morning

“Thank you again! I really enjoyed the session. You reminded me that working closely with the product, it’s easy to forget that customers may not understand its benefits and USP and how developing new product areas need to have synergy with the brand.

And more importantly, how to look at my data to make informed business decisions. Such a worthwhile morning.”

Hanna @ One Life Clothing

The Right Fit for Our Complex Needs

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Alison over the past eight months.

For the first seven years as a business owner, I managed merchandising on my own and learned as I went along. In recent years, I’ve been looking to bring someone on board with expertise in this area, but I didn’t want to just hire anyone. I needed someone with extensive industry experience—preferably someone who has managed a large number of SKUs, like we do in bra-size swimwear. Equally important was finding someone who shares our values, particularly regarding sustainability. Ideally, I was looking for someone who is data-driven, tech-savvy, and aligned with the priorities and spirit of a small business.

From our very first call, I knew Alison was the right choice. She quickly understood the nuances of our brand and products and tailored her approach to meet our needs. As a small business, every dollar counts, and Alison understands that. The workflow has been seamless, and Alison feels like an invaluable part of the team. (Even though she’s in the UK and we are in Australia!)

It’s always a pleasure to receive her weekly trade reports and insights. Her interpretations are invaluable, and her expertise has been instrumental in refining our product mix so that we are more profitable and sustainable.”

Sophia @ RAQ Apparel

Stock Decisions Made Easy

“As our business grew, our Excel planning and educated guesstimates of what and when to buy were really not meeting our needs. We were also undertaking piecemeal planning rather than in being integral to the business.

Working with Alison has really helped us understand our data, our sell through, stock holding, cover and most importantly what to buy and when to have it delivered. All of this helps us reduce our risk while ensuring we have sufficient stock to meet our customer’s needs.

Alison’s easy going nature and commercial understanding alongside her ability to simplify complexity makes working with her a dream.”

Dan @ Esska Shoes

Questions? We’re here to help!

Need more help?

LET’S TALK STOCK
What does a Merchandiser do?

It’s all about stock, also referred to as inventory. The aim of a Merchandiser is to get the right stock, in the right place, at the right time. This is different to Visual Merchandising which comes under marketing and is about placement of product.

My margins are very tight, what’s the benefit of investing in Merchandising?

Implementing the best practise Merchandising tools and processes should pay for itself. If you’re overstocked, you may reduce the amount needed to pay suppliers for orders and free up cash flow. If you’re understocked, you can expect to see an increase in sales and in turn profits.

I am overseas, can you help me?

Absolutely, although we are based in the UK, we have worked with companies that are located internationally. Rather than meeting in person, we can achieve the same results using online video conferencing.

Is my company too small for this service?

We work with companies of all sizes. Smaller businesses often require less time and simpler tools and processes. We pride ourselves on offering a bespoke service, tailored to fit your specific needs.

What should I expect during the initial call?

Our first call lasts around 30 minutes. It’s a chance to talk about:

  • Understanding your challenges, where we’ll talk through the problems you’re facing.
  • Share our ways of working and the kind of support we can provide.
  • Outline potential next steps; whether that’s a follow‑up session, resources to explore or simply giving you space to reflect.
What do I need to do to prepare for the Stock Audit day?

You will be sent over some questions before the audit so that we can cover your responses on the day. The responses will provide a clearer understanding of the challenges your business is facing, what your priorities should be and recommended next steps.

What tools and systems are available for stock management?

For planning, you may come across these:

  • Category Plans
  • Option Frameworks
  • Range Plans
  • WSSI (Weekly, Sales, Stock and Intake)

For trading, you may come across these:

  • WMS (Warehouse Management Systems)
  • OMS (Order Management Systems)
  • Replenishment Systems
  • Line Cards
  • Delivery Schedules
How do you work with clients?

I work on a half day or full day rate, rather than hourly. This gives space and time to focus properly whilst reviewing stocks, refining processes or shaping merchandising tools.

What services are the most common ones that you offer to clients?
  • Weekly Trade Reports
  • Monthly Order Reviews
  • Seasonal Lessons Learnt
  • Planning future season sales, stock and orders
  • Training to develop these skill sets in house
I’m interested in finding out more, what should I do next?

That’s great to hear. Whether you’re curious about support, tools or just want to talk things through, you’re very welcome to get in touch. Click on the “Let’s Collaborate!” button anywhere on the site and it will take you to my booking page. This is where you can book a free 30 minute call and we can talk through your needs and explore the best approach for your company.