The Self-Inventory Model
Retail & Asset Solutions has been a trusted partner to a leading global retailer since 2009, initially providing stocktaking support on a self-inventory basis. This service included supplying equipment, training, and software to stores across multiple countries, including the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, and France.
Trial Success and Ireland Rollout
The retailer undertook a thorough review of their inventory management strategy and recognising the potential benefits of outsourcing, they invited RAS, their long-standing partner for self-inventory services, to trial fully managed inventory counts at selected sites in Ireland. The trials were a resounding success and provided significantly higher accuracy compared to the retailer’s previous self-inventory processes leading to a full rollout of managed counts across 50 stores. Building on the success of the Ireland rollout, the service expanded to cover the retailer’s entire UK store estate, encompassing 170 locations.
Delivering Precision at Scale
Today, RAS continues to deliver fully managed inventory services regularly deploying teams of 40–100 colleagues to conduct inventory counts with precision and efficiency. The service also enables the retailer to access a comprehensive suite of reports via RAS’s web portal, offering actionable insights for their Operations and Loss Prevention teams.
Leveraging Data and Insights
A key success story includes the retailer’s largest global store, a flagship location employing over 1,000 staff where RAS deploy over 100 colleagues to count more than 900,000 units of apparel within a 12-hour timeframe. Following a recent count, the retailer praised the process, describing it as, “Smooth and excellently executed from start to finish – fantastic team effort.”
A Model for Success
The fully managed inventory service continues to provide the leading global retailer with measurable benefits. By ensuring stock is always in the right place at the right time, they achieve consistent sales uplifts, reduced inventory costs, and maintain a lean, agile stock file.
