Managing a retail store involves far more than just hanging out a shingle and stocking some shelves--you may need to use a retail consultant. As manager or even owner, you must care for the whole retail sales package–store location, building maintenance, interior design and layout, promotional signage graphics and placement, merchandise display, and customer relationships. Find retail industry consultants education and training programs to learn about the full spectrum of retail business.

If you're struggling to stay afloat when economic times get tough and match the competition in your neighborhood as well as on the Internet, get guidance through education and training to help you:

1. Manage the bricks and mortar to enhance the bottom line.

2. Supervise the employees for improved customer relations.

3. Control the business process as you adapt to retail industry trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to present your goods in the best light with retail consulting

Despite retail industry trends toward ecommerce and Internet sales, the physical shop still moves the most merchandise. Learn from association courses in merchandising and from retail marketing consultants to earn the most from your space.

I recommend: The National Retail Federation (NRF) supports online courses on merchandising. Gladson Interactive provides training in space management and merchandising.

Keep your staff on their toes with education from a retail sales consultant

Specialists in consumer consulting can help employees effectively interact with customers throughout the sales process from first entrance to final exit, increasing your customers' satisfaction and your store's sales figures.

I recommend: The Friedman Group works with you to develop custom training materials for store staff and management. Bob Phibbs bills himself as the "retail doctor" and offers a full menu of sales and customer service training, plus online videos on retail sales.

Hone your own executive skills with training from retail consulting firms

Work with a full-service retail management consultant to keep a sharp focus on the big picture, from initial site location through grand opening, as well as, keeping you 'happily ever after' through day-to-day administration of your store.

I recommend: Rick Segel & Associates sells how-to materials ranging from negotiating leases for retail space to executing a promotional sales event. WhizBang! Training offers the Retail Mastery System for a comprehensive set of training tools for running a retail establishment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take a field trip with a retail consultant and study successful stores in your area, those that seem to weather downturns with a steady customer stream. Spend time and soak in the whole scenario, from site location and external appearance, even parking, to store layout, merchandise mix and customer/sales staff interaction. Use the information you gather to benchmark your store's performance.

Retail consultants are invaluable when your business needs specialized talent or industry knowledge not currently available on your staff. With vast resources, retail consulting agencies offer fresh perspective, experience, knowledge and skills to provide successful solutions for your retail business.

A retail sales consultant provides important skills for retail businesses seeking to plan new initiatives, develop strategic planning, refresh current programming or transition staff responsibilities. Retail industry consultants increase productivity and efficiency by addressing essential issues, recognizing internal or external obstacles and providing specialized services to improve your organization.

Before beginning your search for a retail consultant, it is important to define your retail consulting needs. Clearly identify the goal of your retail consultancy service, including project scope, services needed, time frame and budget. This information will help your organization select the best retail consultant to meet your specific needs.

When selecting retail industry consultants for your organization, research each consulting practice and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience do the retail consultation firms offer to increase business profitability?

2. What services do the retail marketing consultants provide to enhance my business visibility?

3. How much should your business invest in consumer consulting services?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire consumer consultants that specialize in retail

Select retail industry consultants who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in retail industry trends. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: The Friedman Group has more than 25 years experience in retail training and consulting for a wide range of industries. Kassidy's specializes in salon management consulting services. McMillan|Doolittle is a Chicago-based retail consulting firm that provides an online client list. NPD Group has a roster of big name clients in retailing, including chain restaurants.

Choose retail consulting firms with proven skills

Review the consulting work provided by each retail sales consultant firm. Evaluate the retail consultant agency's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need.

I recommend: Buxton Company provides customer analytics, including site selection, data customer modeling and targeted marketing. Claris Solutions has expertise in store operations, distribution, fulfillment, merchandising, allocation and retail IT. Merchandise Concepts offers customer service training, performance audits and consulting services for retail businesses.

Select a retail management consultant that meets your budget

Many retail consulting agencies operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several utilize an hourly fee structure for short-term projects. Your retail consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Get a quote for retail consulting services at QMG or Fitch. Request a quote for retail project management programs at Retail Process Engineering, LLC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is tempting to save time by interviewing just one retail consulting firm. However, it is in your organization's best interest to contact and interview several retail consultants to discuss your potential project. Two or three choices will provide you with the best possible match in skills, services, price and rapport for both you and the retail consulting firm.
• •  Make sure that it is written into your contract that the retail consultation firm will not provide services to any competing business during the course of your professional relationship.