RETAIL METRICS THAT MATTER. Part 2: Factors Impacting Overall Growth: Economy, Budgeting, Globalisation

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1 Part 2: Factors Impacting Overall Growth: Economy, Budgeting, Globalisation

2 INTRODUCTION Retailers are transforming their businesses to be able to recognise, analyse and respond to consumers rapidly evolving preferences and behaviours. This four-part series highlights results from a survey of retail executives representing a cross-section of verticals and company sizes. Each part gives a brief overview of specific metrics that are top of mind for retailers who are striving to transform their businesses into nimble, collaborative organisations with the goal to better position themselves in today s market. PART 1: How Retailers are Managing Today s Business Priorities and Challenges PART 2: Factors Impacting Overall Growth: Economy, Budgeting, Globalisation PART 3: Internal Business Collaboration & Analytics in Today s Retail Enterprise PART 4: Inventory Fulfilment & Technology Investments The data provides insight into their business priorities, factors impacting growth, technology requirements, and other challenges these executives are facing in today s market. For a more in-depth analysis of these results, be sure to read the full survey, Metrics that Matter to Retail CXOS offered at the end of this ebook. 2

3 PART 2 Factors Impacting Overall Growth: Economy, Budgeting, Globalisation 3

4 YES or NO: Our company is budgeted to grow this year The vast majority of retailers report plans to grow, however, the projected pace of growth varies significantly. A third of companies expect growth of 10% or less, nearly half are projecting 10% to 50% growth and one in five companies are budgeted to grow 50% or more. While many retailers are expected to expand, they are not just doing so by adding new stores. Global expansion, a focus on e-commerce and growing the current customer base are some of the alternative strategies getting the most attention. 29% 20% 28% 16% One in five companies are budgeted to grow 50% or more Less than 10% 10-25% 25-50% 50-75% 3% 1% 3% % More than 100% No 4

5 Describe your company s growth plans Retailers are mostly focusing on adding stores and growing their e-commerce business to attain their growth plans. However, when adding stores, retailers are increasingly favouring smaller formats with less square meterage. Global expansion and e-commerce are key avenues for retailers to grow revenue and offset slower sales growth at home. Even in the absence of a global footprint, expanding e-commerce capabilities will provide a much broader customer reach. Some retailers also look towards merger and acquisition opportunities, a trend driven in part by over-saturation of stores, weak consumer spending and strong competition. We are planning to add stores 48% 33% of retailers are seeking merger and acquisition opportunities We are planning to grow our e-commerce business We are planning to decrease store square meterage in existing stores We are actively researching merger and acquisition opportunities We are planning to increase square meterage in existing stores We are planning to divest stores 45% 39% 33% 25% 24% 5

6 YES or NO: We are expanding our global commerce efforts With opportunities becoming increasingly limited at home, many retailers are looking overseas for new growth opportunities. To enter new markets most retailers are focusing on launching e-commerce sites, selling products through third-party marketplaces, or opening local stores. However, the desire to expand globally can be hampered by an inability to budget the necessary technology. To be successful on a global scale, retailers must have a well-developed roadmap and executable strategy enabled by the right technology. Retailers who achieve this will realise increased returns and build higher shareholder value.. We are launching e-commerce Sites in new global markets. We are sellling our products globally through third party marketplaces. We are opening stores in new markets No. We only sell our products domestically No. We d like to sell our products globally but we are unable to budget for the necessary technology/solutions/strategy 44% 38% 34% 24% 13% 44% of organisations are launching e-commerce sites in new global markets 6

7 Which of the following business priorities are receiving the greatest budgets increase in 2015? Retailers are increasing their budgets with a focus on marketing, POS, HR, and overall IT budgets all vital components for developing closer relationships with the customer. POS has become a main focus for retailers, replacing the traditional confines of shelf space and enabling retailers to respond to true demand. Many merchants are also directing efforts towards upgrading their POS terminals as they face stricter liability regulation for fraudulent credit card transactions. Technology is a key driver in underlying these initiatives as POS, mobile and IT spends will blend together in the increasingly digital marketplace. Marketing 46% More than 40% of companies are increasing their marketing or POS budgets POS HR Overall IT Merchandising Mobile Supply Chain Finance 40% 34% 27% 22% 15% 9% 6% 7

8 How is today s economic climate affecting your business strategies? With the effects of the Global Financial Crisis still lingering, the current economic climate continues to be a major factor influencing both consumer behaviour and retailer growth strategy. Many retailers are carefully considering any new investments, especially when it comes to implementing new technology. In an effort to balance growth and economic challenges, however, retail organisations are not strongly favouring one particular strategy over others. While the majority of retailers are investing in inventory management solutions to reduce cost, others are holding off on budgeting for new solutions. We are investing in inventory management solutions to reduce costs We are opening fewer stores AGREE DISAGREE NO CHANGE 57% 28% 15% 47% 34% 19% 57% of retail organisations are investing in inventory management solutions We are reducing our IT spend We are reducing our marketing spend We are reducing head count We are holding off on budgeting for new solutions We are reducing the number of full-time employees 44% 39% 17% 44% 46% 10% 43% 41% 16% 42% 45% 13% 40% 43% 17% 8

9 Want to Know More? Be sure to check out all the ebooks in this series: Part 1: How Retailers are Managing Today s Business Priorities and Challenges Part 2: Factors Impacting Overall Growth: Economy, Budgeting, Globalisation Part 3: Internal Business Collaboration & Analytics in Today s Retail Enterprise Part 4: Inventory Fulfilment & Technology Investments Read the Complete Survey 9

10 Level King Street Sydney NSW info@uxceclipse.com ABOUT UXC ECLIPSE Microsoft Dynamics Gold Partner UXC Eclipse is the Retail ERP Specialist. The preferred implementation partner for large and complex retail solutions, UXC Eclipse offers business consulting and project management, applications development, corporate performance management and business process management. Speak to UXC Eclipse about how their integrated Microsoft Retail offerings are delivering true omni-channel retailing globally with mobile POS, full e-commerce, retail warehouse management and logistics, sales/marketing and social listening. Solutions are available on-premise or in the cloud all with a customer retention rate above 97% and delivered to the highest levels of customer service. < 10