The RMSA Merchandising Team
One of the key advantages to the RMSA retail management system is that the client does not need to be an IT professional. Your focus is retail operations; our focus is retail optimization, data and analytics, demand forecasting, and planning. We pair our retail professionals and systems expertise to help you build a more successful retail operation.
Each RMSA client has a three-person team consisting of a lead merchandising analyst, a planner, and a technical account specialist.
The RMSA merchandising analyst is a client-specific retail advisor who works with you to maximize the growth and profit potential of your business. All RMSA analysts have extensive experience in retailing so they understand the day-to-day challenges of operating a retail business. The role of the analyst is to use the information and analysis generated by the RMSA system to define the current environment and opportunities, and to help devise strategies to take advantage of new trends in your business. The analyst helps to develop a comprehensive view of your business, blending RMSA analytics with in-depth knowledge of your specific retail profile. The hallmarks of the RMSA analyst-client relationship are sincerity, enthusiasm, trust and support; they are dedicated to your success.
The RMSA planner personally reviews the development and production of each client’s forecast. Each classification is studied and necessary adjustments are made prior to release to the analyst and client. Our planners have backgrounds in retail buying, distribution, planning, and store operations; they combine systems knowledge with relevant retail expertise.
The account specialist provides technical support and training for our merchandise planning and forecasting system. It is the specialist’s responsibility to make sure that all client data is accurately collected and processed, and that any changes in your profile (such as new stores, changes in classifications, new POS systems, etc.) are smoothly implemented. The specialist works to reduce any technical challenges for our clients as they use the RMSA system.
Team Process
The first step in the RMSA process is a full analysis by our team of your retail business and current market trends. The team will collect detailed information specific to your business, including sales and inventory data, and much of this information is assembled through an automated process. (Please note that all client-specific information collected by RMSA is treated as strictly confidential.) The account specialist will work with the client to verify the accuracy of the data prior to processing, and the planner will then create an initial forecast for your business. The merchandising analyst will then review the plan with the client and make any desired adjustments. The goal is to create a comprehensive and accurate plan for your business.
The RMSA analysis and forecast will give you clear recommendations on how to optimize your merchandising strategy, and the insights from the RMSA team will help to progressively improve your retail operations. Each month the team will produce a revised plan that reflects your actual results, your alterations to merchandising strategy, and expected responses to new demand forecasts. Each month the team will review your operations with you, and work with you to develop strategies for improving your results.