Leon C.’s Post

Musings from Dennis #152. Shopfloor learnings. No matter what we read from the books or strategies we develop for our retail marketing and licensing plans, nothing beats going down to the shopfloor to see what is really happening. My Aussie colleagues call it Retailing but here in Singapore we use the term Retail Checks. They mean the same. Hours are spent walking down the aisles or visiting the shops or stores - looking at our own IP product presence, how the pricing competes with the competition, how much shelf space does our brand occupy vs the others; how our quality compares with others in the market and the value it delivers; are our licensees bringing to shelf approved product at the sampling stage (sometimes licensees cheat). How is our visual merchandising doing and how are other brands presenting themselves, what trends do we spot. Does the product pricing tally with the store positioning? (I once observed customers making purchases of products under $20 when the buyer insisted we bring in those lovely Disney Princess dresses to retail at $80 to create a brand positioning for them but not meeting customer demographic needs - thus not surprisingly the licensee was unjustifiably delisted months later due to poor sales because of the wrong customer base there). It is time consuming and takes a lot of brain energy but the learning curve goes up really fast. I always recommend executives to carve in retail checks into their busy schedules, say on Fridays during lunch with an extra hour or so to walk the ground - and see what is out there.

✨ Attention Merchandiser Supervisors! ✨ Is your merchandiser team struggling to meet all the stores on schedule? Supervisor might be constantly frustrated by these problems without even realizing it! 📝 #1 Time-Consuming Store Audit Process It takes too much time & manual effort for merchandisers to write down hundreds of store audit reports, & manually submit the reports and outlet photos to supervisor via WhatsApp. 🚀 #2 Last Minutes Unplanned Outlets Visit Last minute unplanned route assigned by supervisor always causing Merchandisers unable to cover all the planned schedules and complete their original tasks. 📦 #3 Inefficient Route Planning Managing a big team of store audit schedule is a time-consuming task, supervisors often overlook the distance between outlets and causing the unsmooth route plan for the crew which leading to longer travel times and less productivity. Take It Easy! Just Dive into our Website now & find out the easiest way to automate your Merchandiser Store Audit Planning! ✨ 🌐DATANORY Website > https://lnkd.in/dWp262Mc #merchandise #DataChallenge #SmartRetail #planogram #merchandising #Automation #BusinessGrowth #manual #InventoryTracking #DigitalTransformation #distribution #manufacturer #manufacturers #digitaltransformation #SIDEC #Manufacturing

Life of a Frontline Merchandiser: Behind the Scenes of a Visibility Champion   In the bustling world of sales, there exists a silent hero—the frontline merchandiser. Their day begins early, often before the sun rises, as they step into the heart of the market, armed with determination and resilience. Here's a glimpse into Merchandisers journey:   Reports at CD Point around 9.30 am: The day kicks off with a rendezvous at the CD Point, where plans are laid and strategies discussed.   Exits the market after checking and collecting POS/POP: Armed with POP/POS materials, they venture into the market, ensuring every point of sales materials is optimized for maximum visibility.   Visits an average of 15-20 outlets a day: With a relentless pace, they navigate through a maze of outlets, leaving no shelf & no products untouched.   Walks about five kilometers between outlets to cover the entire beat: Every step is purposeful, covering miles to ensure every product finds its spotlight.   Despite the rude behavior of the Retailers, he says a warm "Namaste". Reveals the essence of his work : working not only as a Merchandising but also as a great listener and problem solver.   Daily merchandising reports updated live in the app: Armed with technology, they provide real-time insights, ensuring swift action and informed decision-making.   Acceptance of adversities: From scorching heat to pouring rain, and even amidst the pandemic, they stand undeterred, committed to their mission.   Lunch breaks in solitude: Amidst the chaos, a quiet corner becomes a sanctuary, offering moments of respite amidst the hustle.   Navigating through criticism: Every issue stores is a stepping stone, driving them to excel further and surpass expectations.   Supervisor's guidance: At day's end, feedback becomes fuel for growth, with supervisors guiding them towards excellence, setting sights on PNP/TNP and beyond.   Reporting on the Market Feedback Register: Each day concludes with insights shared, contributing to a collective effort towards continuous improvement.   What inspires them? Whenever you meet them, show confidence in them, tell them that they are very important. Try to solve their challenges in the market and have relationships built along the way.   What empowers visibility champions? The recognition of their crucial role in the ecosystem, driving them to become ambassadors of brand visibility.   Can Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence replace the role of a merchandiser?" Share your thoughts or ideas.   #Merchandising #VisiblityChampions #frontlineMerchandisers #Goals #SilentHero #MerchandisingCareers #Training #KPI #ML #AI

Navigating Career Growth in Retail Merchandising: Tips for Aspiring Professionals The retail industry presents abundant opportunities for career advancement, particularly in merchandising. Through my extensive experience in retail and merchandising, I've discovered that success in this field depends on strategic thinking, adaptability, and relationship-building. Here are some tips for career advancement in retail merchandising: - **Master the Fundamentals:** Excel in retail merchandising by first gaining a deep understanding of inventory management, visual merchandising, and consumer behavior. Also be proficient in tools like SAP and MS Excel is vital for day-to-day operations. - **Stay Ahead of Market Trends:** Constantly evolving, retail requires you to stay updated on market trends and consumer preferences. Proactive trend analysis empowers to make informed decisions, setting you apart from the competition. - **Develop Leadership Skills:** As you progress in your career, strong leadership and team management skills become indispensable. Effective mentorship and team management significantly drive individual and business growth. - **Build a Strong Network:** Your professional network is invaluable. Attend industry events, engage with retail groups, and connect with peers for guidance and support. Utilize LinkedIn to forge meaningful connections within the retail sector. - **Continuous Learning:** Given the rapid changes in retail, continuous learning is important. Invest in certifications, courses, or workshops to stay abreast of emerging technologies and business models, enhancing your skill set. Key Takeaway: Thriving in the dynamic retail merchandising sector requires adaptability, customer-centricity, and the utilization of data and technology. Position yourself for sustained success by embracing these strategies. What's your approach to advancing in the retail industry? Let's connect and exchange insights! #RetailCareers #CareerGrowth #RetailMerchandising #LeadershipInRetail #ContinuousLearning #RetailNetworking

As I transition into the dynamic field of merchandising, here's how my background aligns perfectly with merchandising: 1. Product Development Expertise: At my company, Meejab Limited, I played a pivotal role in product development, managing overseas communications with buyers and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products. This experience has honed my understanding of market trends and buyer preferences, ensuring that every product meets and exceeds expectations. 2. Financial Efficiency: My experience in enhancing financial efficiency through consumption and costing arrangements will be invaluable in merchandising. Accurate costing and budgeting are crucial for maximizing profitability, and my background equips me to excel in these areas. 3. Sourcing and Order Management: Ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products requires meticulous planning and coordination. My expertise in sourcing and order management ensures that every detail is managed efficiently, reducing lead times and increasing customer satisfaction. 4. Strategic Planning and Market Analysis: Understanding buyer needs and aligning production processes with market trends has been a cornerstone of my career. I bring this strategic mindset to merchandising, where analyzing market data and forecasting trends will be essential. 5. Team Leadership and Collaboration: Leading teams, mentoring colleagues, and fostering a collaborative work environment are skills that transcend industries. In merchandising, these skills will help build strong relationships with suppliers, stakeholders, and team members, driving collective success. Let's connect and explore opportunities to create value together! #Merchandising #ProductDevelopment #FinancialEfficiency #MarketAnalysis #TeamLeadership #StrategicPlanning #CareerTransition

In fashion, buyers and merchandisers work closely together. Yet, how do they exactly compare? BUYER — Focuses on procurement, inventory management, and supplier relationships. — Analyzes demand and sales data to procure inventory, negotiate with suppliers, place orders, manage inventory. MERCHANDISER — Focuses on visual product presentation, pricing, and promotion of the product. — Pimary role is to maximize sales and profitability by planning, selecting, and optimizing the product mix. WHERE THEY ARE SIMILAR — Both work in the retail industry. — Both require product knowledge. — Both collaborate with various teams. WHERE THEY DIFFER — Buyers focus on procurement, product selection, and financial analysis, while merchandisers focus on visual presentation, sales analysis, and marketing. — Buyers make purchasing decisions and manage suppliers, while merchandisers provide recommendations. — Buyers emphasize data analysis, while merchandisers require creative skills. — Buyers work earlier in the retail process, while merchandisers make real-time adjustments. — Buyers manage inventory, while merchandisers manage store layouts. #career #careers #buying #merchandising #buyer #merchandiser

The Top 5 Future Skills for Buying & Merchandising Jobs 📢 The Buying and Merchandising landscape is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements, changing consumer behaviours, and global economic trends. So what skills should you look to develop or advance to ensure you future-proof your career? 🚀 Top 5 Future Skills for Buying & Merchandising Jobs https://lnkd.in/ekQGEcv7

I came across an article today on the performance of one of the world's fastest growing retailers, which got me thinking about the areas where it starts to go wrong and a question I am frequently asked.... What are the biggest mistakes retail brands make when trying to scale? The answer is relatively simple - There are 3 key strategy elements to retail success- if one or two of the strategies are dysfunctional, underperforming, or nonexistent - that's where the problems start. First up is Business strategy Key areas to monitor: -Clear and measurable annual sales, margins, revenue and profit objectives - Pricing strategies that take into account demand forecasting, channel allocation, distribution segmentation and overall inventory planning. - Retail channels performance, individually and together, and well defined cross-channel amplification. - Competitor movement - Consumer behavior trends, and - Macro-economic conditions - Strategic investments in technology, new categories and retail channels. Next up is Product strategy Key areas to monitor here: - The product pyramid - Product design, management of fabrics, materials, and suppliers - Pricing, merchandising and assortment planning. And last, but certainly not least we have Brand strategy Key areas to monitor: - Is my brand message being delivered consistently to customers - Creative and art direction, styling and visual merchandising - Cultural influence and PR - Marketing strategy and media planning - Customer relationship management which is the most important of all Underpinning the three is operational excellence throughout the entire value chain. The mix of business, product, and brand creates and maintains sales momentum, profit, and growth. Think of it like a stool with 3 legs, if one is damaged or broken, the rest will eventually come tumbling down! Anything to add my fellow retail experts? #retailmanagement #retail #retailindustry @arabianbusiness Tala Michel Issa IMAGES RetailME Retail Excellence Ireland Retail World Magazine Drapers Cenomi Retail Al-Futtaim Apparel Group Alshaya Group LuLu Group International Neeraj Nagpal Shehim 🥇 #topvoices #linkedin #retailconsultant

We are often asked the same question when we are out meeting with potential customers. At 42 Ltd. what exactly are the services you can offer? At 42 Ltd. we have spent the last, almost 30 years assisting world-renowned brands in realizing their store and SIS Rollout plans more or less globally. We have done so both as consultants and also working with brands as staff. This means that we have a solid knowledge of the entirety of the process from the creation of a new concept up until a successful rollout, concept upgrades, and finally development of a new concept etc. We can, therefore, pretty much step into any function of a Store Planning department or fill any gap in the chain of services needed in the process. We are happy to present practical cases we have worked on, the roles we have taken, and the outcome of that work.   We can pretty much divide our work into these three categories; 1.    Store Planning 2.    Supply chain 3.    Store Execution You find more information on our website - https://lnkd.in/did6MMja

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