Retail purchasing optimisation
Strategic Levers for Competitive Trade Purchasing
Trade today faces the challenge of remaining flexible despite minimal margins and complex global procurement markets. Sustainable purchasing optimisation therefore starts not only with prices, but transforms the entire value chain. By combining category management, process automation and strategic supplier management, we create the basis for profitable growth and operational excellence.
Key aspects of our optimisation strategy:
- Condition Management & Bonus Optimisation: Systematic renegotiation of purchasing and framework conditions, as well as the optimisation of rebate systems.
- Global Sourcing & Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying sourcing channels to minimize risk and unlock new price advantages in international markets.
- Own Brand Development: Support for cost structure analysis and sourcing for high-margin private labels.
- Process digitisation: Implementation of e-procurement solutions to reduce Maverick Buying and increase transparency.
- Indirect Procurement: Tapping into often underestimated potentials in areas such as logistics, packaging, marketing, and facility management.
We act for you!
With tried and tested measures, a clear strategy, and a focus on sustainable margin enhancement.
Those who do not honour the purchase are not worthy of the profit.
In the fierce price war, purchasing is the value creator in retail – whether in classic retail, mail order, e-commerce, wholesale, or technical wholesale. Through studies and experience, we have found that purchasing tools effectively reduce purchasing costs and thus significantly increase profit margins, yet they are often used too little or not consistently enough due to time constraints. Our retail team, with experience from various forms of retail, strengthens your purchasing and implements pragmatic solutions with you for all purchasing-related challenges: from category management and annual negotiations to supply chain optimisation and the reduction of Indirect Spend. So, during a project, we will unearth hidden profit potential in procurement together with you, to sustainably enhance your company's earnings.
Awarded BEST CONSULTANTS – 10th time in a row
Example Project Outcome (anonymised)
Processed material groups, among others.
Non-Food Trade: Multimedia, White & Brown Goods, Textiles, Home Textiles, Home Decoration, DIY, Jewellery, Watches, Outdoor, Garden, Paints, Sports, Automotive Accessories, Furniture, Electronic Components, Pet Supplies, Sales & Distribution Costs
Handel Food: Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Fish, Frozen Goods, Dairy, Drinks, Canned Goods, Cost of Goods and Overhead Expenses
Wholesale: Tools, Personal Protective Equipment, Workshop Furnishings, Chemical Products, DIN and Standard Parts, Wood, Drive Engineering, Agricultural Products, Medical Products, Catering Supplies, Fixed and Overhead Costs
Example Project Scorecard
Project volume: €100 million
Processed volume: 85 million Euros
Project Team: 3 Consultants
Project duration: 12 months
Satisfied customers
„Their consulting team impressively presented initial, very good results within just a few days.“
„The consultants stationed with us during the project duration integrated seamlessly into the existing procurement team and were never perceived as outsiders or even as competition. Furthermore, the deployment of our internal resources was kept to a minimum.“
„Despite the partly difficult framework conditions due to the necessary change processes within Pelikan, initial savings could be sustainably implemented after a short period.“
„It convinced us that in implementing the potential, immediate EBIT effectiveness was always achieved, as conditions with existing suppliers were often improved. In some cases, savings of over 30% were implemented, thereby increasing the importance of purchasing within our company – across departments. During your tenure, you made only a small demand on our internal resources.“
Would you like to learn more about the trade sector or do you have other questions about KLOEPFEL Consulting?
Convincing
References
Our industry expertise
Mechanical and Plant Engineering
Handel
Automotive
How quickly can initial savings be realised in retail purchasing?
As a rule, we identify initial quick wins as early as the analysis phase (weeks 2-4). The full effect of the negotiated conditions and process optimisations usually occurs within 3 to 6 months of the project start.
Does Kloepfel Consulting also provide support for private label optimisation?
Yes. We analyse the value chain of your private labels, identify alternative producers worldwide and support you in maintaining or improving quality while reducing purchasing costs.
How are you dealing with the current ESG requirements in trade?
We’re integrating sustainability criteria and the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) directly into your procurement process. This ensures that your purchasing optimisation is not only economically sound but also future-proof from a regulatory and ethical standpoint.
Does the consultancy focus solely on the cost of goods?
No. There is enormous potential in „non-trade goods purchasing“ (indirect spend), especially in retail. We optimise everything from shop fitting logistics and IT infrastructure to waste management services.
Is remuneration performance-related?
Kloepfel Consulting prefers to work with success-based models. This means: our remuneration is based on the actual savings achieved and measurable, which means minimal risk for you with maximum ROI.