Retail consultancy for independent businesses
Practical support from someone who’s actually run a shop
Retail advice is everywhere. Real retail experience is not.
Before I became a consultant, I ran my own independent high street shop, growing it from a £50k bricks-and-mortar business to a £250k bricks-and-clicks operation in 5 years. It was fully bootstrapped. No investors. No safety net. Just decisions made daily, with cash flow, customers and pressure all in play.
I made mistakes. Expensive ones.
This service exists so you don’t have to repeat them.
My retail consultancy offers practical, commercial support for independent retailers who want to build profitable, sustainable businesses without guesswork, overwhelm or glossy theory.
What retail consultancy actually means here
This isn’t abstract strategy or trend-led advice.
It’s hands-on, experience-led support that looks at how your retail business really works, from the shop floor to the stock room to the website, and helps you make better decisions across all of it.
I work with retailers who sell:
- in-store
- online
- or across both, using a bricks-and-clicks model
How I can help
Retail consultancy is always shaped around your business, but commonly includes support in the following areas.
Buying and range planning
- deciding what to stock and what to leave behind
- managing buying around cash flow
- avoiding overbuying and dead stock
- understanding what actually sells, not just what looks good
This is often where margins are won or lost.
Merchandising and layout
- improving shop layout to increase dwell time and spend
- making products easier to browse and buy
- reducing clutter and friction
- translating in-store merchandising into online collections
Small changes here can have a disproportionate impact.
Marketing, PR and visibility
- attracting the right customers, not just more footfall
- local marketing that really works
- sensible use of PR and storytelling
- connecting marketing activity to real sales, not vanity metrics
Marketing should support retail, not distract from it.
Bricks-and-clicks systems
- integrating in-store and online sales properly
- Shopify and EPOS setup and optimisation
- aligning stock across channels
- creating a joined-up customer experience
This is especially valuable for retailers moving online or scaling beyond the shop floor.
Staffing and operations
- knowing when you need staff
- structuring roles sensibly
- reducing day-to-day friction
- making the business easier to run, not harder
Good operations protect energy as well as profit.
Who this is for
This service is a good fit if you:
- run an independent retail business
- sell in-store, online, or both
- feel like decisions are becoming heavier
- want experienced input without judgement
- would rather learn from someone else’s mistakes than your own
It’s particularly useful if you’re:
- scaling beyond the early days
- opening a first shop
- adding eCommerce to an existing store
- stabilising after rapid growth
- feeling stretched between trading and planning
How retail consultancy works
Support can be:
- a one-off strategic session
- project-based support
- or ongoing advisory input
We focus on what will make the biggest commercial difference, not doing everything at once.
There’s no template, no checklist for the sake of it, and no pressure to overcomplicate things.
How I work
I’m practical, honest and grounded.
I’ll:
- tell you what I’d prioritise and why
- challenge decisions when it matters
- share what worked and what didn’t in my own business
- keep advice proportionate to your size and stage
- say when something isn’t worth the effort
This is about building a retail business you can actually live with.
Why work with me?
- I’ve run a real retail business
- I’ve grown it profitably and sustainably
- I’ve made the mistakes and fixed them
- I understand customers, cash flow and pressure
- I combine retail experience with marketing, Shopify and SEO expertise
You get straight-talking, experience-led advice, without judgement or fluff.
Let’s talk retail
If you want retail consultancy from someone who’s stood behind the till, managed stock, dealt with customers and built a bricks-and-clicks business from the ground up, let’s book a call and talk it through.
We’ll look at where your business is now and what would genuinely help you move forward.
Retail consultancy: frequently asked questions
What is retail consultancy?
Retail consultancy is practical, experience-led support to help you run a stronger, more profitable retail business. That can include buying decisions, merchandising, layout, staffing, pricing, marketing, systems and how your shop works day to day. It’s about making better commercial decisions, not theory or trends.
Is this consultancy suitable for independent retailers?
Yes. This service is specifically designed for independent retailers, whether you run a single shop, a small group of stores, or a bricks-and-clicks business selling online and in store.
Do you need to see my shop in person?
Not always.
Some work can be done remotely, especially around strategy, buying, pricing, systems and online integration. For layout, merchandising or in-store experience, an on-site visit can be very valuable. We’ll agree what makes sense for your business.
Can you help if I’m adding eCommerce to my shop?
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons retailers come to me.
I help retailers move from bricks-only to bricks-and-clicks in a way that’s joined up and manageable. That includes Shopify setup, EPOS integration, stock alignment and making sure online sales support the shop, not compete with it.
Can you help if I already sell online and in store?
Absolutely.
Many retailers struggle once both channels are running. I help identify where friction is creeping in, whether that’s stock, systems, customer experience or decision-making, and help you simplify things again.
Do you advise on buying and stock management?
Yes.
Buying and range planning are core parts of this consultancy. I help retailers decide what to stock, how much to buy, and how to avoid tying up cash in products that don’t move.
Can you help with merchandising and shop layout?
Yes.
This includes improving layout, product flow, signage and presentation to make it easier for customers to browse and buy. Small changes here often have a big impact on spend and confidence.
Is this consultancy only about marketing?
No.
While marketing and visibility are part of it, this consultancy looks at the whole retail business, including operations, staffing, systems, buying and customer experience. Marketing only works properly when the foundations are sound.
What if I feel like I’ve made a mess of things?
You’re not alone.
Most retailers come to me feeling unsure about past decisions. This work is judgement-free and focused on fixing what matters next, not dwelling on what’s already happened.
How does retail consultancy usually work?
Support can be:
-
a one-off strategic session
-
project-based consultancy
-
or ongoing advisory support
We’ll focus on priorities and commercial impact rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
Is this suitable for very small or new retailers?
It can be, as long as you’re ready to invest in getting things right.
This service works best for retailers who want experienced input and are open to practical, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about what’s really working.
How do I get started?
Start with a conversation.
We’ll talk through your shop, your goals and your challenges, and decide whether retail consultancy is the right fit and what level of support would be most useful.