We work with our clients in one of four ways: –
NUMENSA CONSULTING
At Numensa we understand retail and we work alongside our clients to improve business performance.
Whether you are a small independent retailer wanting to implement your first OTB budget, a buying department wishing to develop your seasonal strategy or a large retailer looking at overhauling their processes and systems, our highly experienced team of consultants can work with you to achieve greater efficiencies in your business.
For independent retailers
Many small and independent retailers are struggling to compete with the plethora of multi-national and omni-channel retailers. We can assist you to: –
- Develop a financial plan to manage your sales and stocks
- Grow your profits by reducing your markdown
- Teach you how to retail like the big boys in our RETAIL SUCCESS SERIES
For the merchandise team
With wide and varied demands competing for the buyers and planners time, it is often difficult for them to find the time to think strategically about their business unit to develop sustainable growth plans. We can: –
- Facilitate team strategy days, to stretch the team’s thinking
- Develop new business concepts and implementation plans
For larger retail groups
With size comes complexity and having a streamlined, consistent process across the business will drive efficiencies, cut costs and free up the merchandise team’s time to concentrate on growth potential. Our team can: –
- Assist you through the implementation of a new reporting system
- Streamline processes
- Train team members thereby ensuring new systems are embedded smoothly
NUMENSA TRAINING
People are an organisation’s greatest asset…
In the dynamic world of retailing having a team of highly trained, highly motivated professionals will deliver competitive advantage. At Numensa our team has years of retailing experience on which to draw, across a range of retail support office roles within a variety of industries, including, fashion, general merchandise, homewares, convenience and supermarket. Our programs are designed with adult learners in mind and include a combination of thought-provoking theory and relevant case studies. We have a range of ‘off-the-shelf’ courses, or can tailor the content to your company’s needs
Foundations of Buying & Merchandise Planning
This 2-day Foundations of Buying & Merchandise Planning program covers the theoretical principles used in buying and merchandise planning as well as the key metrics used in a retail business.
Retail Financials
This 1-day course is designed to equip today’s young retail professional with core retail maths skills. This course not only shows you how to perform those calculations, but also explains why these metrics are used in retail.
Merchandise Planning Workshops
With a shortage of highly skilled merchandise in Australasia, Numensa has developed three half-day workshops to give your junior team members the technical skills and knowledge they need to deliver increased profits to your business.
Strategic Buying
At the end of this program, participants will have the ability to identify and develop new strategic opportunities, have a greater understanding of global retail trends around the Omni-channel, sustainable as well as experiential retailing, and be able to effectuate a strategic consumer centric plan.
Negotiation Skills
The Numensa Negotiation Skills for Buyers and Merchandise Planners is specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of retail merchandise teams. This course will equip you with the relevant knowledge and skills enabling you to be a stronger negotiator. Using a combination of theory, case studies, as well as buyer/supplier role play simulations, this course will build your confidence and help you to develop your own negotiating style.
Retail Challenge Series
Designed to sharpen the skills of retail merchandise teams and focussing on increasing sales and profits, the Retail Challenge Series uses a team-based, interactive approach.
- The Range Building Challenge (2-day workshop)
- The Profit Challenge (1-day workshop)
- The Trading Challenge (1-day workshop)
NUMENSA ONLINE
The Numensa Online training programs have been developed with the busy retail professional in mind…
In these days of conflicting priorities, it is not always possible to take time out of the office in order to attend a training program. Thankfully, much of the theory can now be learned online. Our online programs are interactive and utilise a blended learning approach to training, keeping you the learner engaged.
The programs are self-paced and broken down into bite-sized units each taking around 20-minutes to complete. There are also links to informative videos and downloadable checklists allowing you to understand how the theory relates to your particular organisation.
Foundations of Buying & Merchandise Planning
Retail Financials
NUMENSA CLIENTS
We saw great benefit from the Numensa training for the Nuance Merchandise team, which has greatly impacted on their skills and abilities. Not only was the training a great learning experience for the team during the sessions, the team project work has also created an ongoing environment of learning and a great team building opportunity…
Realene JohnsonIt is great working with Numensa on buying and planning development initiatives. Beverley’s energy, passion and credibility in these fields make it easy for us to hone in on the learning needs specific to strategic goals and deliver outcomes that can directly impact thought processes and practices.
Linda ChiodoI have had the pleasure of working with Beverley Chambers and Karen Bycroft over recent years. Beverley and Karen have been involved in the development and delivery of an advanced buying program and facilitation of a leadership strategy session. They draw on high calibre experience in various consumer-facing businesses, both in Australia and internationally.
Tim SchaafsmaBeverley’s depth of knowledge has been instrumental in the continued success and growth of the Eaden business.
Wendy EadeNUMENSA TEAM
The Numensa team come from a diverse range of backgrounds, but all share a common goal, to add value and make a difference to our client’s businesses. They have a wealth of global experience and whilst they all now call Australia home, they have lived and worked in most parts of the world including UK, USA, Hong Kong, South Africa, South America, Canada and of course Australia.
Beverley Chambers
Head of Operations
Beverley is head of operations for Numensa Asia Pacific. She has over 25 years global retail experience in buying and product development with blue chip companies in the UK and Australia including, Marks & Spencer, Next, Arcadia and Coles Group. Her global experience in supplier sourcing strategy, product development and people management for large corporations at a senior level, has allowed her to utilise these skills with a wide range of SMEs in a variety of projects.
She brings an exceptional creativity to the team and is extremely results focused. Her enthusiasm for all things retail is infectious and she draws on this when facilitating, training and mentoring.
Ivan Fuchs
Senior Consultant
Ivan is an experienced consultant specialising in strategy and business improvement and is the merchandise planning specialist in the team.
He has over 30 years global retail experience in merchandise planning, buying, operations and general management with a variety of companies in the UK, Australia and South Africa including, Primark, Woolworths, Truworths International, Next Athleisure, PAS Group and RCG Corporation. He brings vast experience and expertise to the team, particularly in the area of systems implementation and is experienced in SAP, JDA and Maple Lake.
Sally Coates
Senior Consultant
Sally is a seasoned merchant with over 25-years’ retail experience in Buying, Planning and Marketing (including Online). She has extensive knowledge and experience in setting and delivering strategic plans, managing the end-to-end seasonal buying and merchandise planning process. Sally has gained this experience by working for well known retail businesses such as Woolworth’s (AUS), David Jones, Best & Less and Target, across categories that include apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, cosmetics, homewares, and food.
Sally’s experience extends to include trend forecasting, product development, international sourcing and brand management, but her true career passion is building and leading high performance, cohesive teams that are united to deliver a common goal. Her mentoring passion also extends outside of the work arena, through her involvement as a mentor in the Sister 2 Sister program – a not-for-profit program for teenage girls.
Richard Bycroft
Senior Consultant
Richard is the team’s expert in strategy, finance and category management. He utilises his extensive experience gained in leading global retail brands in the US, UK and Australia including; The Gap Inc, Marks and Spencer, Woolworths PLC , Topshop and Coles in order to deliver business growth and profitability for clients.
With career foundations in finance and strategy, senior roles in marketing, category management and operations gained across a number of retail sectors including fashion, department stores, supermarkets and convenience enables Richard to bring a multi disciplined, holistic approach client projects and training.
Martin Jomoa
Senior Consultant
Martin is the newest member of our team and has 28 years of international fashion retail, product and production experience with large global brands in both the UK and Australia.
He contributes strong financial, commercial and organisational skills, with a career of proven leadership, and management of Buying teams. His comprehensive knowledge of the end-to-end buying and planning process, from design concept to customer has been honed throughout his career with retail leaders including Next, Woolworths (Aus), Topshop/Topman, House of Fraser and ASOS.