Talk Retail to Me

• When Every Store Is Unique: Winning with Data and Hyper-Localized Assortments

  In this episode of The Parker Avery Group's "Talk Retail to Me" podcast, retail experts Marty Anderson and Mike Johnson delve into how our firm collaborated with a major theme park retailer to untangle the complexities of managing over 300 unique stores. From hyper-localized assortments to razor-thin inventory margins, these consultants detail how data, analytics, and a clear roadmap contributed to balancing customer satisfaction with operational efficiency. Episode Highlights Managing inventory across 300+ hyper-localized stores requires a fundamentally different approach than traditional retail models. Balancing customer satisfaction with inventory efficiency is possible—but it demands data-backed insights and operational precision. On-site visits, cross-functional interviews, and customized analytics were critical to uncovering actionable opportunities. Even highly successful retailers benefit from an external perspective to challenge the status quo and fine-tune strategies. Robust data availability and high client engagement dramatically accelerate the path to impactful recommendations. Resources Read the project case study: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/retail-inventory-management-assessment/ Learn more about Parker Avery's consulting services: https://parkeravery.com/retail-consulting/ Meet Marty Anderson: https://parkeravery.com/marty-anderson/ Meet Mike Johnson: https://parkeravery.com/mike-johnson/ Meet Tricia Gustin: https://parkeravery.com/tricia-gustin/ Listen to more Talk Retail To Me podcast episodes: https://parkeravery.com/retail-podcast/

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• The New Rules of Retail Pricing: Navigating Market Volatility, Real-Time Data, and AI

  Episode Overview In this dynamic roundtable, host Sam Iosevich monitors a panel of pricing experts as they discuss how to tackle the complexities of modern retail pricing. From inflation and AI to organizational alignment and price wars, this episode delivers sharp insights and practical guidance. Guests Robert McGuire, Retail Pricing Leader Jeffrey Kittell, VP, Pricing & Strategy, SpartanNash Eddy Salas, SVP Retail Strategy, DataWeave Key Takeaways How agility in pricing starts with organizational clarity and cross-functional alignment You cannot be agile if your teams are not aligned. A well-defined pricing strategy, clear decision rights, and tight collaboration between merchandising, digital, supply chain, and pricing are foundational. Using AI as a strategic “intern” to streamline pricing ops AI is not a replacement for pricing teams—it’s a force multiplier. When treated as an "intern," AI can handle tedious tasks like competitive matching and execution rules, freeing experts to focus on strategy. The danger of racing to the bottom—and how to hold the line on value Price wars destroy long-term value. Winning retailers focus on their game—not the competition’s—by reinforcing brand value, leveraging data, and resisting unnecessary discounting. The metrics retailers should be watching beyond gross margin Profit matters—but so do frequency, basket size, and customer lifetime value. Broader, customer-centric metrics give a better read on how pricing impacts both the short and long term. Real-time pricing: aspirational buzzword or operational reality? Real-time adjustments are only possible with integrated systems and data flow. But even without full automation, having playbooks, streamlined approvals, and analyst autonomy can deliver agility. Whether you're rethinking your pricing strategy or trying to avoid the next margin hit, this conversation offers a forward-looking playbook for today’s retail leaders. Related Content Parker Avery Insights | The Expert Guide to Retail Pricing (https://parkeravery.com/retail-pricing/) Parker Avery Insights | Price Optimization: Margin Rate vs. Margin Dollars (https://parkeravery.com/price-optimization-margin-rate-vs-margin-dollars/) Case Study | Retailer Sees Strong Results With AI-Driven Price Optimization​ Solution​ (https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/retailer-sees-strong-results-with-ai-driven-price-optimization-solution/) Case Study | Markdown Optimization​ Solution Vastly Improves Retailer’s Sell-Through and Margin​ (https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/markdown-optimization-solution-vastly-improves-retailers-sell-through-and-margin/)

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• The AI-Driven Demand Signal: Unifying Retailers for Seamless Success

  In this episode, Tricia Gustin is joined by Sam Iosevich from Parker Avery and Dilip Popat from Novulis Consulting to discuss how AI-driven demand signals transform retail and CPG industries. The conversation explores the power of the Enterprise Intelligence Hypercube, an advanced platform that integrates data across all organizational functions to provide real-time, actionable insights. Sam and Dilip share how AI enables retailers to address inventory productivity, revenue variability, and margin pressure while emphasizing the importance of clean data for successful AI implementations. Key Takeaways: What is an AI-driven Demand Signal? An AI-driven demand signal unifies data from multiple business functions (finance, supply chain, pricing, etc.) into a single, real-time signal. The Hypercube platform makes this possible by centralizing and structuring data for AI-powered insights across the organization. The Importance of Data Quality: High-quality data is crucial for effective AI-driven demand signals. Sam Iosevich explains how the Hypercube addresses data challenges and prepares it for AI algorithms by cleaning and structuring data across different functions. Real-Time Agility: AI allows retailers to make quicker, more informed decisions using real-time insights. This agility helps avoid stockouts, optimize pricing, and enhance supply chain efficiency. Cross-Functional Insights: The Hypercube enables all teams within a retail organization to access data and projections, helping them comprehend how their actions impact demand and work together more effectively across departments. Integration with Existing Systems: Despite many retailers' complex and fragmented technology landscapes, the EI Hypercube integrates seamlessly with legacy systems, ensuring that existing applications can easily access data. The Continuous Journey: Implementing AI-driven demand signals is merely the start. Retailers must persist in refining data, adjusting to new trends, and expanding AI applications throughout the organization. Tune in to learn how AI and data integration can elevate your retail operations and drive meaningful business outcomes! Related Reading: Parker Avery Blog | Optimizing Data Readiness for AI in Retail: A Complete Guide https://parkeravery.com/optimizing-data-readiness-for-ai-in-retail/   Enterprise Intelligence Case Studies: Enterprise-wide Planning Solution Drives Global Retailer’s Agility​ https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/enterprise-wide-planning-solution-drives-global-retailers-agility/   Markdown Optimization​ Solution Vastly Improves Retailer’s Sell-Through and Margin​ https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/markdown-optimization-solution-vastly-improves-retailers-sell-through-and-margin/   SKU-Level Forecasting Accuracy Drives Strategies for Precision and Growth https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/sku-level-forecasting-accuracy-drives-strategies-for-precision-and-growth/   Subscribe to the Podcast: Don’t miss out on more insights from retail experts. Subscribe to Talk Retail to Me for more discussions on how AI and innovative technologies are revolutionizing the retail industry. Plus learn how Parker Avery’s retail experience and consulting expertise transform retail and consumer brand challenges into meaningful, sustainable improvements.   Follow Us on LinkedIn: Parker Avery https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-parker-avery-group/ Novulis Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/company/novulis-consulting/     Contact Information: Parker Avery Website: https://parkeravery.com/enterprise-intelligence/ Novulis Consulting Website: http://www.novulis.com/

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  29:43
• The RACI Revolution: How Process Became a Retailer’s Bridge to Trust

  In this episode of Talk Retail to Me, we dive into a transformation at one of America's largest family-owned luxury retailers. What started as a straightforward client project to clarify roles became a journey of rebuilding trust, transforming leadership behaviors, and healing a deeply fractured organization. Join Parker Avery CEO Robert Kaufman, Principal Kathi Toll, and host Tricia Gustin as the team unpacks how authentic leadership, structured processes, and a willingness to admit mistakes turn an organizational crisis into a story of redemption. Key Takeaways What started as a simple process improvement project revealed deep organizational trust issues stemming from a poorly executed reorganization Leadership's informal decision-making and inconsistent communication created widespread confusion and frustration Rebuilding trust required authentic leadership acknowledgment of mistakes and sustained behavioral changes A successful RACI (responsibility assignment matrix) implementation helped provide clarity and structure Organizational change requires consistent, repeated communication and a clear explanation of the "why" behind changes Client Background and Challenge A family-owned luxury retailer initially engaged The Parker Avery Group to help with what seemed to be a straightforward process improvement project in their product development area. However, within hours of arriving, the consultants discovered much deeper organizational issues: A recent reorganization had been implemented poorly, with employees being moved to new roles without proper training or explanation Leadership made informal decisions without proper communication or documentation Different leaders were giving conflicting directions to their teams Employee surveys revealed significant dissatisfaction and loss of trust HR had been sidelined during the reorganization process Project Evolution The scope expanded from process improvement to addressing fundamental trust and organizational issues The consulting team worked closely with HR and, eventually, the CEO to address leadership behaviors One senior leader's transformation after attending a leadership academy helped shift team dynamics Outcomes While trust wasn't fully rebuilt in three months, significant progress was made, and the client achieved a stronger overall team environment Teams became highly engaged in implementing the RACI matrix New structures provided clarity around roles and advancement opportunities The project left the organization with tools for sustained improvement, though ongoing leadership commitment would be crucial The project highlighted the importance of clear communication, proper organizational change management, and authentic leadership during organizational changes.   Learn more about Parker Avery's consulting services: https://parkeravery.com/retail-consulting/ Read the case study: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/better-merchandising-processes-and-new-roles-drive-fine-jewelers-future/ Meet Robert Kaufman: https://parkeravery.com/robert-kaufman/ Meet Kathi Toll: https://parkeravery.com/kathi-toll/ Meet Tricia Gustin: https://parkeravery.com/tricia-gustin/ Listen to more Talk Retail To Me podcast episodes: https://parkeravery.com/retail-podcast/

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  38:56
• Harmonizing and Modernizing Retail Merchandising: Insights from a Major Jewelry Retailer Project

  In this episode of Parker Avery's "Talk Retail to Me" podcast, Clay Parnell (president and managing partner) and Marty Anderson (principal) discuss a recently completed project for a $7 billion jewelry retailer. The two retail experts share valuable insights from the project which entailed developing a comprehensive, actionable roadmap to address business and technology challenges resulting from significant growth and acquisitions. Read the case study: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/global-jewelers-new-retail-process-and-technology-roadmap-energize-growth/ Learn about Parker Avery's consulting services: https://parkeravery.com/retail-consulting/ Start solving your most important merchandising challenges:  https://parkeravery.com/contact-us/    You may also like this content: Global Jeweler’s New Retail Process and Technology Roadmap Energize Growth: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/global-jewelers-new-retail-process-and-technology-roadmap-energize-growth/  Let’s Talk About Your Capabilities Roadmap: https://parkeravery.com/lets-talk-about-your-capabilities-roadmap/  Merchandising Capability Roadmap Paves the Way for Strategic Growth: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/merchandising-capability-roadmap-paves-the-way-for-strategic-growth/ 

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