Retail Management
Consultancy Services
Paul Ogburn Consultancy Ltd can support your business to overcome your commercial challenges. I am equipped to find the necessary solutions to deliver a successful and sustainable retail operation.
My Services Include….
Strategy and Business Planning
My services encompass a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation of your commercial activities, targeting enhanced income prospects through new revenue channels, heightened efficiencies, better profitability, and long-term viability.
With extensive expertise in business planning and strategy formulation, I am able to offer your business support in developing business strategies for the short, medium, and long term. This can be done independently or integrated within the wider planning framework of your venue, focusing on key milestones to boost both revenue and net profit.
Drawing on my experience in overseeing retail operations across the four Tate sites, I am well-equipped to assist you in meeting your performance KPIs and achieving your business objectives.
Retail Surgery
Designed for smaller venues in need of assistance, my retail surgery is the ideal solution for those facing a specific commercial challenge with a limited budget.
You can book an online, one-to-one session with me for just £100. This hour-long consultation is designed to address your specific challenge effectively and efficiently.
The retail surgery is open on the last Friday of every month, and I am delighted to offer members of ACE, ASVA and AIM a 20% discount on your booking fee, reducing the cost to £80. So, book your hour today: I very much look forward to discussing your challenge with you soon.
Store Concept, Design and Project Management
In my career, I’ve successfully designed, planned, and managed numerous retail spaces, focusing on store layout, product placement, and strategic adjacencies to optimise income and profit per square metre.
A key design project to date, was during my tenure as Retail Director at Tate, where I was the lead director in the design, implementation, merchandise planning, and trading strategy for the 500sqm Terrace shop within Tate Modern’s Blavatnik extension.
I have assisted numerous clients in enhancing their shop designs and trading strategies, leading to increased revenue and sales densities per square metre. I also understand the challenges faced by cultural, heritage, and attraction venues with limited retail space, and can support with maximising profit from every square metre of space to achieve a sustainable trading operation.
Operational
My career has spanned various retail sectors and demographics, including high street shops, retail parks, department stores, and the cultural sector at Tate, providing me with a wealth of experience at a senior level. This diverse background has given me a deep understanding of the operational needs required for running a successful retail business, delivering the very best customer experience through an empowered, motivated, and knowledgeable retail team.
This breadth of experience enables me to assist my clients in addressing their operational challenges and enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Given the pivotal role of retail as the final touchpoint for many business functions, I am skilled in thoroughly evaluating both in-house and third-party support services to ensure they meet the service level agreements and operate effectively and efficiently.
Financial
Even if your retail income appears robust, it might not reflect positively on the bottom line due to insufficient control over operational costs, payroll expenses, cost of sales, and gross margin outcomes.
With many years of experience in managing multi-million-pound income and operational budgets, I am well-versed in the consequences that insufficient oversight can have on operational success.
I can offer the same level of thorough scrutiny to your retail operation, ensuring it meets the five essential criteria for operational health, all while providing an outstanding customer experience for your visitors.
Visual Merchandising, Store Treatment and Narrative
The way your store is visually presented and merchandised can significantly impact the customer experience and overall sales success.
The quality and approach of visual merchandising directly affects customer engagement and their willingness to spend. It reinforces brand identity and ensures alignment with the venue and target audience.
I have the commercial insight for effective visual merchandising and store treatment, and I work alongside a team of outstanding Visual Merchandisers. Together, we can enhance your store’s aesthetic and merchandising strategy to reflect your venue’s values, engage your target audience, and strengthen brand affiliation.
Interim Leadership Support
Sometimes, attractions may experience a gap in senior commercial leadership due to career advancements and transitions.
With a background of holding various senior roles, including Retail Director for Tate, I am well-positioned to provide interim stability and leadership. I can step in on a short-term basis during the recruitment process to ensure continuity and guidance.
People Development
We like to believe that our teams provide excellent customer service, yet it’s important to question if this is consistently true and whether merely ‘good’ service is sufficient.
Many of us have encountered both commendable and disappointing customer experiences. A key to maintaining a consistently positive customer experience is having a company behaviour framework that aligns with the values and mission of the venue.
As representatives of the brand, the retail team’s conduct can significantly elevate or undermine the venue and the overall shopping experience.
It’s vital to have a retail team that is not only highly motivated and informed, but also empowered to consistently embody the brand’s core values. This is essential for ensuring an exceptional customer experience every time.
A structured training program that facilitates career growth, team development, and effective succession planning is crucial for a prosperous and enduring retail operation.
At Paul Ogburn Consultancy, we offer a variety of training programs tailored for different levels of retail professionals, from board members to new recruits. We can also provide customised training programs targeted at specific commercial or operational challenges.
Supply Chain, Range Planning and Product Development
The effectiveness of your retail operation hinges on its proposition, which ideally should reflect or complement your collection, exhibition, venue, or location. Creating a cohesive experience for visitors and customers is crucial for a memorable conclusion to their visit.
Successful range planning involves aligning your storytelling with both the audience’s interests and the venue’s values. It’s important to have a reliable supply chain to ensure constant availability and the capacity to meet increased demand when necessary.
Regularly reviewing and consistently upholding brand quality is essential to ensure that the perceived value meets expectations and that gross profits are in line with targets for sustainable growth.
My years of working with a breadth of suppliers ensures I’m best placed to create, plan and develop your retail proposition that delivers the best alignment and customer experience for your venue.