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WAREHOUSING, HANDLING & STORAGE
the retail process, allowing early intervention when inevitable problems arise and supporting further growth plans. Rather than spending 100 per cent of the time operationally firefighting, a business owner or management team can use insight to understand trends in customer behaviour, optimise inventory models, and continually assess courier performance. For example, evidence suggests that a
five or more marketplace model provides optimum performance for a small but growing retailer. It smooths out the volatility that can occur with a one or two- channel model and, with complete visibility and automation, provides a successful platform for growth. Once retailers have become established at that level, insight into performance across each marketplace, product line, and customer profile can then support further marketplace expansion as required. Critically, this can be achieved without
working seven days a week; without the need to constantly juggle order fulfilment with finance, and customer services with merchandising. Combining slick operational processes with accurate business insight not only allows a retailer to scale and sustain the customer experience but it also gives a retail owner their weekends back.
CONCLUSION Many entrepreneurs wait too long to make the change. They hit the moment when the excitement of business success tips over into the dread of business overwhelm. And while it is always tough to decide when it is right to invest in the technology required to support growth, it is far, far better to go early than wait too long, miss the boat, and watch hard-won success unravel. Investing in the right technology at the right time safeguards not only business growth but an entrepreneur’s business commitment. No more problems associated with inconsistent stock information, leading to missed opportunities and the untenable costs associated with overstocking. Or nights spent second-guessing this season’s performance when planning what to buy for next season. And no more risk associated with unfocused multi-marketplace models that add complexity but fail to truly reflect the business concept. By investing in automation at the right time and operationalising the business, a retailer owner reduces the risks associated with growth, while retaining the innovative spirit that was the original business inspiration.
Linnworks
www.linnworks.com
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