Industries
The world of retail is dynamic, diverse and multidimensional. Retailers today face severe challenges such as growing pressure on margins driven by ongoing supply chain disruptions, rising labor costs, talent shortage, and tighter consumer spending. At the same time, shopper preferences are shifting faster than ever - forcing retailers to adapt quickly, rethink operations, and stay relentlessly focused on delivering value. At the heart of it all, one principle remains constant: the customer comes first. Delivering on this across all channels means setting a high bar for service, operational efficiency and product relevance - every single day.
12-35%
inventory reduction
12-35%
cost reduction
9-18%
production efficiency increase
Overview
Overview
Data is redefining what success looks like in retail. From driving profitability to shaping consumer experiences, data now sits at the center of every high-performing retail operation. But unlocking its full potential requires more than dashboards - it demands alignment across functions, systems, and strategy.
Retailers are rethinking how they operate across the board. Three areas, in particular, are under pressure - and full of opportunity:
Finance & Performance Management :
Financial performance is under pressure from all sides. Retailers must improve efficiency, streamline processes and align closely with CFO priorities to protect margins. Smart pricing strategies have become non-negotiable for profitability, especially in a market where costs continue to rise and consumer spending is constrained.
Sales :
On the sales side, predictive forecasting is emerging as a key value driver. By connecting demand planning with procurement, merchandising and in-store execution, retailers can better manage inventory, reduce waste and respond to real-time shifts in customer behavior.
Transformation :
Transformation efforts are accelerating through ERP digitization, enabling better integration of supply chain operations, inventory management and customer engagement tools. With the right systems in place, retailers can act on insights faster, operate more efficiently and stay agile in a constantly evolving market. At the core, it’s about turning data - and increasingly, supported by artificial intelligence (AI) - into action. When embedded across finance, sales, and operations, AI helps retailers bridge strategy and execution, drive smarter decisions and keep the customer at the center of every move.
Why Horváth
Why Horváth
Horváth offers clients consulting services by professionals with both industry and consulting experience. Consultants support retail companies of all formats in turning challenges into opportunities - driving holistic change across all levels of the organization.
The core retail principle is customer centricity, supporting clients to:
- Align business model to end customers’ needs
- Optimize the value chain/ network, make it sustainable and reach customers effectively
- Differentiate products and services – data driven and innovative
- Optimize organizational structures and enhance process efficiency.
The respective service portfolio is forward-looking and focused on the specifics of retail. Horváth’s experienced industry experts adapt proven solutions to client’s situation, apply best practice project experiences, and on this basis support corporate transformation.
Highlights of client solutions:
- Development of corporate and digitalization strategy
- Derivation and implementation of multilevel profitability analysis
- Establishment of sustainable value chains with focus on efficiency and transparency
- Alignment of organizational structures and enhancement of process efficiency
- Re-design of business models and eco-systems
Case studies/testimonials
Case studies/testimonials
Financial excellence
Operations performance
Financial excellence
Business strategy
WHO
One of Europe’s largest family-owned online retailers with operations spanning fashion, home goods and technology.
WHAT
How to optimize Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
HOW
Further development of risk management for the Group, enhancing their resilience management practice.
WHO
One of the leading DIY chains in Central Europe.
WHAT
Profitability challenges and general need to improve store performance.
HOW
Reduction in store-related personnel costs and store overheads, identification of improvement potential in the stores and definition & implementation of best-practice processes as well as innovative improvement measures.
WHO
Family-owned retail conglomerate with stakes in both traditional and digital commerce sectors.
WHAT
Need to restructure the finance organization of holding and optimize Accounting processes.
HOW
Developed new target organization, analyzed current process landscape, defined E2E target picture and implemented new process flows.
WHO
Digital-first fashion retailer operating one of Europe’s most visited ecommerce eco-systems.
WHAT
Support to build foundation of Steering, Reporting & Planning (SRP) program, need to reflect strategy and operating model.
HOW
Development of a state-of-the art steering approach (from current business unit logic towards a new target matrix) & creation of a new management reporting.
Retail
Retail
WHO
Risk & compliance: used quantitative risk management and scenario analysis to foster decision-making and increase resilience.
WHAT
Lack of scenario analysis that is needed to provide strategic information for decision-making.
HOW
Initial scenario development, definition of quantitative scenario model, evaluation of financial scenario impact & conceptual design of resilience framework.
WHO
Accounting: Order 2 Cash (O2C) health check in credit management to identify potential for action and standardization.
WHAT
The challenge for management is to keep finance business processes as efficient and effective as possible.
HOW
Analysis of processes in the area of credit management and introduction of best practices. Provision of accounting and SAP FI expertise. Identification and derivation of potential for standardization and automation as well as for increasing transparency in process and data flow. Conducting a rough benchmarking of processes in credit management
Solutions expertise
Solutions expertise
Operations Performance
Technology Acceleration
Business Strategy
Finance Excellence
Connect with Horváth
Your Contact
Nikolas Spatz
* Results are all related to business transformation projects based on latest RMCG capability statement (06/2023)