Wendi Tanner walking outdoors with a black tote
Wendi Tanner walking outdoors with a black tote

Retail Strategy for Better Decisions

Whether you’re opening a new retail business or improving an established one, I help you see what’s really happening, identify the opportunity and make better decisions. Every engagement is tailored to your merchandise, customers, goals and numbers.

FOR ESTABLISHED RETAILERS

Turn your sales and inventory data into practical actions that improve profitability and cash flow.

Our work goes beyond reviewing reports. Together, we identify where inventory dollars are working—and where they aren't—uncover opportunities, evaluate cash flow and potential profit opportunities, and adjust the plan as your business and customer evolve.

Our work may include:

  • Monthly inventory planning and Open-to-Buy

  • Sales, margin and inventory performance against plan and last year

  • Category, classification, vendor and product opportunities

  • Cash-flow projections and updated break-even analysis

  • Merchandising, trends, events and promotions

  • Staffing and team strategy

  • Coaching, accountability and an experienced sounding board

Interested in Working Together?

LET'S TALK →

NEW STORE PLANNING & LAUNCH

Build the plan before you commit significant time and capital.

I help you establish the financial and merchandising framework for your new retail business so you can invest with greater clarity and avoid costly early mistakes.

We may work on:

  • Sales, inventory and Open-to-Buy plans

  • Startup budget, cash-flow projections and break-even analysis

  • Merchandise classifications, assortment and initial inventory investment

  • Vendor strategy and market preparation

  • Selecting the right point-of-sale system for your business

  • Staffing and operating guidance

Interested in New Store Planning & Launch?

LET'S TALK →

QUARTERLY STRATEGY SESSIONS

Step back from the day-to-day and take a strategic look at your business.

Before each session, I analyze your business performance in advance so our time together can focus on opportunities, decisions and action—not simply reviewing reports.

Depending on your needs, we may review:

  • Sales, margin and inventory performance against plan and last year, by season and classification

  • Vendor performance and mix, plus category/classification opportunities

  • Merchandising, events and promotions

  • Trends and shifts in customer demand

  • Upcoming seasons, markets and major business decisions

  • Staffing and team development

  • Growth, expansion or exit planning

  • Updated break-even analysis, potential profit opportunities and cash-flow issues

Leave with clear priorities, an actionable plan and a better understanding of the red flags, white space and opportunities in your business.

Interested in Quarterly Strategy Sessions?

LET'S TALK →

LOS ANGELES MARKET & BUYING SERVICES

Make market time more productive—with an experienced merchant by your side.

I’ll help you prepare for and shop DTLA showrooms and the Los Angeles market with greater focus—identifying new resources, evaluating product and trends, and helping you make smarter buying decisions based on your customer, inventory needs and business goals.

Market support may include:

  • Pre-market planning, priorities and appointments

  • New vendor and product discovery

  • Trend, assortment and classification opportunities

  • Product, price-point and vendor evaluation

  • Buying decisions, inventory investment and post-market review

Planning a Los Angeles market trip?

LET'S TALK →

Retail Expertise Across Categories

Every retail category has its own rhythms, challenges and opportunities. I combine financial discipline with merchandising strategies tailored to how your customer shops and how your category performs.

Pet

Food, Treats, Toys, Supplies & Wellness each have very different economics. I help pet retailers optimize category and vendor mix, evaluate performance and margins, and develop effective promotional strategies.

Gift & Home

Category and vendor mix, seasonal buying, trend opportunities, gifting occasions and balancing proven business with newness.

Apparel & Accessories

Trend merchandising, classification planning, seasonal inventory, assortment, vendor performance and knowing when to invest—or pivot.

Kids & Toys

Fast-moving trends, age and category classifications, seasonal opportunities, inventory productivity and identifying when a hot item represents a larger opportunity.

  • No. I work with the planning solution that best fits your business and needs. I have experience with multiple retail planning approaches and platforms, including Management One and Retail Smart Guys, and can help determine the right fit for your business.

  • Yes. I work with established independent retailers as well as entrepreneurs planning new retail businesses. For new stores, I help build the sales, inventory, merchandise and financial framework before significant capital is committed.

  • Inventory planning is an important part of my work, but the relationship often extends much further—from merchandising, classifications and vendor performance to trends, promotions, cash flow, break-even analysis, staffing and broader business decisions.

  • Quarterly Strategy Sessions provide periodic analysis and an experienced outside perspective at key points throughout the year. I analyze your business in advance so our time together can focus on opportunities, decisions and action.

  • Yes. My client relationships often extend into broader business decisions, including staffing and team strategy, vendor relationships, events and promotions, expansion or exit planning, and recommendations for marketing, website development and other business resources.

  • No. We can shop the Los Angeles market together in person, or I can shop on your behalf while we connect by video so you can see product, ask questions and make buying decisions in real time. You arrange payment and shipping directly with the vendors.