Efficient Store Stock Flow
Retailers have slashed costs, pumped-up sales, streamlined activities and re-engineered processes throughout their pipeline. Now they're going back to basics. Leading retailers routinely examine the fundamental practices of their retail operations, ensuring the best practices are being utilized within the store's four walls.
Best practices for moving merchandise door to floor aren't necessarily cutting edge. In fact, most of you could probably recite them in your sleep. However, the trick for most retailers -- even the most astute -- is revisiting the basics and ensuring each and every step is enforced. Sometimes we overlook the simple solutions for more complex ones, even at the risk of terrific results.
Check List
Take a step back. Look at the basics. You could put yourself two steps ahead.
- Is merchandise pre-processed and floor ready?
- Is merchandise sorted by department and/ or aisle?
- Is apparel pre-hung and pre-ticketed?
- Are myriad items put in re-packs?
- Is the backroom configured with the most effective and efficient layout?
- Does the backroom have the necessary equipment?
- Is the frequency of deliveries appropriate?
- Have standards been established and measured?
- Do you have price integrity?
Benchmarks
Measure yourself against the best practices of leading retailers.
- Process floor ready merchandise door to floor: 2 - 3 hours
- Units processed per labor hour: 260+
- Percentage of goods preticketed: 40% - 75%
- Percentage of goods received floor ready from vendor: 70% - 75%
- Percentage of goods received floor ready from DC: 70% - 90%
Benefits
Just a reminder of the rewards you'll reap after revisiting the fundamental elements of moving merchandise door to floor:
- Reduced labor expenses
- Additional selling time
- Increased revenues
Case in Point
A previous client, a $500 million specialty store chain, improved its door to floor activities by returning to the basics. The retailer re-engineered store processes to streamline existing activities, eliminated duplicate tasks, and implemented best practices. As a result, the retailer improved productivity by 20 percent and reduced direct annual operating costs by almost $10 million.
For more information on this topic contact Pat Fitzpatrick at Atlanta Retail Consulting Inc
