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Sector · Retail

Retail consultancy — 25 years of proven expertise.

Senior consultancy and interim management for retailers. Strategy, transformation, omnichannel, supply chain and customer experience — from people who have actually run retail businesses, not advised on them from the outside.

Grant & Graham retail consultancy — senior expertise across UK and Europe
Our Journey

A legacy of retail excellence.

For over 25 years, Grant & Graham has been at the forefront of transforming retail businesses. With an unparalleled blend of experience, innovative strategies and a deep understanding of market dynamics, our team has consistently delivered exceptional results for renowned companies including Toys R Us, Bart Smit and Tiptel.

Our extensive track record and hands-on approach make us a trusted partner for retailers looking to thrive in an industry that has changed more in the last decade than in the previous five — and where the next decade will demand even sharper operational discipline, faster decision-making and stronger customer focus.

25+ Years Retail Experience Two and a half decades transforming retail businesses across strategy, operations, technology and customer experience.
3 Flagship Retailers Strategic and operational delivery to Toys R Us, Bart Smit and Tiptel — covering global toy retail, omnichannel transformation and consumer electronics.
100% Senior-Led Every engagement led by a practitioner who has run retail businesses at scale — not a junior on a research project.
Comprehensive Services

Six areas where we drive retail outcomes.

From strategic planning and market analysis to operational optimisation and customer experience — senior expertise across every retail discipline that matters.

01 · STRATEGY

Strategic Planning & Market Analysis

Detailed market analysis, growth strategy and commercial roadmap. Identifying opportunities, defining propositions and turning competitive insight into deliverable plans — whether you are scaling, repositioning or restructuring.

02 · OMNICHANNEL

Omnichannel Transformation

Connecting online and offline channels to deliver a consistent customer experience. Click & collect, BOPIS, marketplace strategy, mobile commerce and the back-office integration that makes seamless retail actually seamless.

03 · OPERATIONS

Operational Optimisation

Streamlining store operations, supply chain processes and back-office workflow. Process re-engineering, technology integration and cost reduction — without compromising the customer experience that drives repeat business.

04 · SUPPLY CHAIN

Supply Chain & Inventory

Inventory management, demand forecasting and supply chain optimisation. Data-driven insight that reduces working capital tied up in stock, improves availability, and turns supply chain from cost centre to commercial advantage.

05 · CUSTOMER

Customer Experience

Defining and delivering the customer experience that drives loyalty, basket size and repeat visits. From in-store service models to digital personalisation, lifecycle communications and loyalty programmes — commercial CX, not theory.

06 · INTERIM

Senior Interim Leadership

Interim CEOs, COOs, CCOs, store directors and transformation leads — deployed in days. Stabilise the situation, deliver the outcome, hand over cleanly. Particularly effective for turnarounds, peak trading and post-acquisition integration.

Expertise in Action

Case studies. Real outcomes.

A snapshot of retail engagements where Grant & Graham led major transformation programmes — with measurable commercial impact.

Case Study 01

Toys R Us

Global Toy Retail

A global toy retailer facing significant challenges as the retail landscape shifted dramatically with the rise of e-commerce. Brought in to revitalise operations and develop a sustainable growth strategy.

  • Market Analysis Conducted a thorough market analysis identifying key opportunities for expansion and re-positioning in a rapidly digitising consumer market.
  • Supply Chain Streamlining Streamlined supply chain processes and overhauled the inventory management system — reducing cost and improving availability.
  • Data-Driven Insight Leveraged data-driven insight to enhance inventory management, optimise stock allocation and inform commercial decision-making across the group.
  • Operational Re-Engineering Embedded operational disciplines that turned strategic intent into measurable, repeatable performance — delivered through the existing operations team.
Outcome Transformation evident in increased sales, reduced costs, improved customer satisfaction and a stronger market presence — positioning Toys R Us for long-term success.
Case Study 02

Bart Smit

Omnichannel Toy Retail · NL

A leading toy retailer in the Netherlands modernising its operations and enhancing customer engagement — integrating innovative technologies to create a seamless omnichannel experience.

  • Digital Platform Implementation Implemented a robust digital platform connecting online and offline channels, enabling customers to enjoy a consistent shopping experience whether in-store, on the website or on mobile.
  • Advanced Analytics Optimised in-store operations by introducing advanced analytics to monitor customer preferences, basket composition and inventory levels in real time.
  • Customer Engagement Re-engineered the customer engagement model — closing the gap between brand promise and in-store delivery, with measurable impact on conversion and basket size.
  • Reputation & Brand Solidified Bart Smit's reputation as a customer-centric retailer in a market increasingly polarised between deep discounters and premium experiences.
Outcome Boosted sales, improved customer engagement and solidified Bart Smit's reputation as a customer-centric retailer — with a digital backbone built for ongoing iteration.
Case Study 03

Tiptel

Telecoms Retail & Distribution

A long-standing partnership delivering operational and commercial support to Tiptel — spanning telecoms retail, distribution and the operational discipline required to compete in a high-volume, low-margin category. Senior interim and consultancy support across multiple engagements over the relationship lifecycle.

Why Grant & Graham

A trusted partner for retail success.

Grant & Graham retail specialist — transformation and senior leadership

01 Unmatched experience

Over 25 years of hands-on retail experience — through the rise of category-killers, the pivot to omnichannel, the marketplace era, and the current shift to AI-powered commerce. We have lived the changes we now help clients navigate.

02 Proven track record

Success stories with Toys R Us, Bart Smit and Tiptel demonstrate our ability to drive tangible results. Sales growth, cost reduction, operational improvement, customer satisfaction — not theoretical frameworks.

03 Innovative solutions

We stay ahead of industry trends and leverage cutting-edge technology to create solutions that move retailers forward — without falling for hype that cannot survive contact with the trading floor.

04 Client-centric approach

We work collaboratively with our clients to develop strategies that align with their goals and vision — not generic playbooks. Every engagement is shaped by the specific business, market and team in the room.

05 Senior-led, never delegated

Every engagement is led by a senior practitioner from start to finish. The person you meet is the person who does the work — no partner-pitch-then-junior-delivery.

How We Engage

Three engagement models. One standard.

Retail clients work with us across our three core service lines — sized to the problem, not packaged off the shelf.

Service 01

Interim Management

Senior interim CEOs, COOs, CCOs, store directors and transformation leads deployed in days. Stabilise the situation, deliver the outcome, hand over cleanly — with deep retail sector experience and a track record across major brands.

Explore Interim →
Service 02

Management Consultancy

Senior-led advisory across strategy, transformation, operations and M&A — applied with deep retail sector knowledge. Practical work that produces decisions, not decks. Shaped around your specific commercial context.

Explore Consultancy →
Service 03

Growth as a Service

A fully managed commercial function for retail businesses scaling into new markets — senior sales leadership, BD team, CRM and pipeline, deployed inside weeks. Particularly effective for B2B retail tech and supplier-side businesses.

Explore GaaS →
Where We Work

Retail sub-sectors.

Our consultants work across the full breadth of the retail ecosystem — from independent specialists to global multi-format groups, and across both consumer-facing and supplier-side businesses.

Specialty Retail Consumer Electronics Toys & Games Omnichannel Retail Department Stores Fashion & Apparel Health & Beauty Food & Grocery Home & Lifestyle DIY & Hardware Sporting Goods Telecoms Retail Pet Retail Convenience & Forecourt Franchise & Multi-site Retail Suppliers & Brands
Frequently Asked Questions

What clients ask before they engage.

What does Grant & Graham do for the Retail sector?

We provide senior consultancy and interim management for retailers across the UK, Europe and beyond. Work covers strategic planning and market analysis, omnichannel transformation, operational optimisation, supply chain and inventory, customer experience, and senior interim leadership — including CEO, COO, CCO and transformation director placements.

How much retail experience does Grant & Graham have?

Over 25 years. Our consultants have lived through the rise of category killers, the pivot to omnichannel, the marketplace era, and the current shift to AI-powered commerce — with operating experience inside retailers, not just as external advisers.

Who do you typically work with in Retail?

Clients range from specialist retailers and multi-format groups to consumer electronics chains, toy retailers, fashion and home brands, food and grocery, telecoms retail, and B2B retail suppliers. Both consumer-facing retailers and supplier-side businesses serving retail networks.

Can you point to specific retail projects you have led?

Three flagship examples. Toys R Us — revitalised operations and developed a sustainable growth strategy with measurable sales and customer satisfaction improvements. Bart Smit — led omnichannel transformation, integrating online and offline channels with advanced analytics. Tiptel — long-standing operational and commercial support across telecoms retail and distribution.

How quickly can a senior interim retail leader be deployed?

Interim placements typically deploy within days, not months. Our model puts a proven retail operator into the seat and delivering from week one — particularly effective for turnaround situations, peak trading periods, post-acquisition integration and transformation programmes that have stalled.

Do you support omnichannel transformation specifically?

Yes. Omnichannel is one of our deepest specialisms — from the strategic case through to digital platform implementation, click & collect, BOPIS, marketplace strategy and the back-office integration that turns omnichannel from a promise into a measurable customer experience. Bart Smit is the flagship case study.

Where are Grant & Graham's Retail consultants based?

Our network spans the UK, Europe, the United States and the Middle East, with permanent offices in London, Amsterdam, San Diego and the Gulf. Consultants are placed on the ground in the client's market.

How do I start a conversation?

Get in touch via our contact page or email uk@grant-graham.co.uk. We will arrange a 25-minute confidential discovery call — no pitch, no commitment — and tell you honestly whether we can help.

Let's Connect

Transforming retail.
Empowering success.

Whether you are looking to revamp your operations, enhance customer engagement, or expand your market presence — tell us in 25 minutes what you need. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.