Masterclass: Merchandising with ex John Lewis Alison Metcalfe. Sales, Stock and Profit

eCommerce MasterPlan · with Alison Metcalfe · 28 min

Summary

This masterclass with ex-John Lewis merchandiser Alison Metcalfe offers essential strategies for ecommerce operators to optimize stock and maximize profit. Learn how to effectively manage inventory, strategically promote and markdown slow-moving items, and leverage sales data to prevent stock issues. This episode is crucial for improving supply chain efficiency and boosting your bottom line.

Key takeaways

• Analyze sales in units, not just cash turnover, to accurately identify stock problems and optimize inventory health.
• Implement clear roles and foster collaboration between buyers, merchandisers, and marketers for seamless stock management and promotional strategies.
• Develop robust exit strategies for slow-moving stock, utilizing targeted promotions and markdowns during key sales periods to minimize losses.
• Regularly review and integrate sales data with stock information to proactively identify potential issues and ensure customer demand is met efficiently.

Themes

Topics covered

Episode description

Alison Metcalfe is a Merchandiser. She ‘does stock’ to create efficiencies in the supply chain and maximise profit for retailers. She’s worked at many high street brands including BHS, Woolworths, and M&Co, and most recently spent 13 years as Merchandise Co-ordinator for fashion at John Lewis.In this episode we discuss:How to effectively promote and mark down stock that is not sellingWhy is June a time for deeper discounting?Merging sales data and stock informationWhy do you need to analyse sales in units rather than just cash turnover?Key signs or indicators of a stock problemTime stamps:[04:24] Ideal plan: offer customers what they want.[08:37] Clear roles for buyer, merchandiser and marketer.[11:07] Sales first, stock units indicate problems.[15:25] Get rid of unnecessary stock through promotions.[17:54] Retailers not effectively using paid systems.[25:18] Merchandising: key to managing stock for profit.[26:10] Exit strategy, key sales periods, and stock management....This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/ --- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.inf

Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about inventory management?

Analyze sales in units, not just cash turnover, to accurately identify stock problems and optimize inventory health.

What does this episode say about merchandising strategy?

Implement clear roles and foster collaboration between buyers, merchandisers, and marketers for seamless stock management and promotional strategies.

What does this episode say about profit optimization?

Develop robust exit strategies for slow-moving stock, utilizing targeted promotions and markdowns during key sales periods to minimize losses.

What does this episode say about inventory management?

Regularly review and integrate sales data with stock information to proactively identify potential issues and ensure customer demand is met efficiently.

Listen

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