An evolving retail landscape has increased the level of competition and confusion among industry players. Significant consolidation, emergence of new retail formats, and a drastic increase in private-label adoption have upset historical industry norms and forced players to reevaluate how they compete and win.
Kaiser Associates works with clients in the mass, department, luxury, specialty, and direct distribution segments to effectively differentiate offerings, leverage capabilities, and create unique, sustainable customer value. Through strategy development, innovation, and productivity services, we are active in helping retail client’s realize growth objectives in both sales and profits.
Strategy Development
In an industry that caters to ever changing consumer demands, retail players are required to consistently evaluate a broad array of strategic choices to establish / maintain market leadership. However, exceeding customer expectations is often not enough. Retail leaders also realize that meeting supplier expectations, optimizing the supply chain, and expansion (geographic, format, services, etc.), are all necessary to maintain a competitive edge.
Kaiser areas of expertise:
- New market entry
- Joint value creation (Retailers and CPG’s)
- Merchandise expansion
- Prioritization of new services / capabilities
Innovation
The emergence of new business models, enhanced customer services, loyalty programs, and changing store formats have upped the ante in retail industry innovation. Our clients are continually assessing how to evolve, improve, and differentiate.
Kaiser areas of expertise:
- Innovation process management
- Emerging retail technology / tools assessment
- Evaluation / adoption of retail data analytical tools
- Creation of new services and capabilities
- Optimize the package design process
Productivity
An industry constant, productivity continues to be one of the primary and most significant drivers of competitive advantage in retail. Kaiser’s work spans the entire operating expense structure including store operations, corporate support functions, and logistics.
Kaiser areas of expertise:
- Improving store operations
- Organizational structure and design choices
- Identification of cost reduction opportunities
- SG&A optimization