Retail Process Re-Engineering

Claris has worked with retailers over the years to help reduce cost through designing processes to achieve the best performance at the most efficient cost. We have worked to help turn around organizations to bring cost in line with current and future operations. Our approach to this process has been very effective and can be completed expeditiously due to our firm experience with almost every retail process in specialty, discount, department store, and fulfillment.

Back Room Efficiencies

Claris has completed projects to re-design back room operations for greater efficiency. At a specialty store Claris was able to accurately model the relationship between stock levels, delivery frequency, back room size, and sales floor capacity. This allowed our client to make better decisions in allocation and completely re-engineered their merchandise flow process to increase full price selling days. At a department store, we determined the right layouts to maximize efficiency and space in the back room.

Store Merchandise Flow

Claris has designed and implemented a new Merchandise Flow Processes for an Outlet based Specialty Store chain. This project saved over $1 Million in payroll annually across 150 stores. In addition Claris improved ISOS (in store out of stock) by 15%, increased comp sales, improved product visibility, and finally improved delivery predictability.

Allocation & Distribution

Claris conducted a Business Process Improvement (BPI) project for an Allocation-Distribution organization where was able to convert all basics to 100% auto-replenishment, created in-stock measures, and developed dynamic allocation models that served to reduce overall inventory while comp sales increased.

IT Project Management

Claris has recently completed a large IT project to implement a new POS application that included over 600 US based specialty stores. This project included all aspects of the integration to installation and training in the stores.

POS Systems

Claris is also involved as project management and integration support for upgrading POS systems and hardware for a specialty store with over 900 locations. This project includes updating to the latest Visa CISP standards, IP Sec, device monitoring, and a primary .NET application. This project included integration with almost every corporate system from I series merchandising systems, to inventory and sales audit apps, server arrays, and third party processing (debit, credit, check).

Payroll Budgeting

Claris has completed work to custom develop applications for a large department store to budget payroll using work load models and forecasting which is integrated with merchandising forecasts.

Product Development and Sourcing

Claris has been engaged by a very large retailer to re-design their product development process (fashion and home) and to assess technology to improve the performance of their teams.

DC Production Control

Claris has implemented new methods and software for managing distribution with several retail and wholesale companies over the years with excellent results. This includes operations in 6 countries. Typically, companies have experienced an improvement in productivity of up to 20%. At the same time cost were lowered, they have increased throughput, and improved fill rate.

Supply Chain Strategy

Claris has successfully completed projects in supply chain strategy and implementation, developed custom applications for managing labor in stores and distribution, provided project management for large packaged software integration, developed operational infrastructure for acquisitions, and have served in the background as critical problem solvers for many executive teams.

06/02/2010
Claris has been involved in implementing a warehouse management application, as well as managing a material handling project involving cutting edge logistics center equipment. Also, Claris has been designing and executing a labor management program to maximize productivity benefits gained from the material handling and warehouse management projects.

06/01/2010
Claris has developed new industry leading labor demand forecasting modeling software. Workbuilder creates intelligent demand profiles that can be exported into any scheduling system.

05/05/2010
Claris has been managing a work force management project from concept to implementation for a retail specialty store chain.

01/05/2010
INDIANAPOLIS - January 5, 2010 - Claris Solutions, one of the retail industry's most respected and sought after consulting firms, has appointed industry veteran Tad Shepperd to the position of Partner. For the past 25 years, Mr. Shepperd has helped leading retailers drive sales and reduce operating costs by improving business processes through the use of technologies and shopper information. He will be responsible for business development, managing and leading engagements, strategic alliances, all marketing efforts and other business growth initiatives. Mr. Shepperd is best known as co-founder and CEO of ShopperTrak, the world's leading provider of pedestrian traffic counting solutions for the retail industry. His efforts there helped grow the company from startup to the industry leader with close to 200 of the world's largest retailers as clients and more than 50,000 systems installed in more than 20 countries. A recognized expert on retail traffic and shopping intelligence, he was a frequent industry commentator for leading business media like Bloomberg Television, The Today Show, The New York Times and USA Today, as well as numerous trade publications. Most recently, Mr. Shepperd was a principal with the retail consulting practice of Axsium Group.