Margin Improvement
Pricing, mix, vendor negotiation and gross margin protection tactics.
8 articles in this category.
Gross Margin Fundamentals Every Retail Manager Should Know
Gross margin is the most misunderstood number in retail. This primer explains the difference from markup, the four levers that move it (cost, price, mix, shrink), and how to rea…
Mix Management: The Hidden Lever Behind Gross Profit
Mix management — what proportion of your sales comes from which products — is the most powerful and least-discussed margin lever. A 2% shift toward higher-margin SKUs can lift b…
Private Label Strategy for Independent Supermarkets
Private label is the most reliable margin lever an independent supermarket can pull — but only when the range, quality and positioning are right. This article covers the three-t…
Vendor Negotiation Tactics That Actually Improve Margin
Most vendor negotiations focus on cost price and leave the bigger levers untouched — terms, rebates, marketing support, exclusivity. This guide reveals the seven negotiation lev…
Promotional Effectiveness: Are Your Deals Making Money?
Most retail promotions lose money — they shift volume from full-price weeks instead of bringing new customers. This guide shows how to measure incremental lift (not headline lif…
Price Architecture: Good, Better, Best in Retail
A clear good-better-best price architecture lets shoppers self-select up — and lifts blended margin by 100-200 basis points. This article explains how to build the ladder, set t…
Markup vs Margin: Stop Confusing Them Forever
Mixing up markup and margin is the most expensive mistake in retail pricing — and it's everywhere. This article gives you the formulas, the conversion table, and the simple test…
Category Role Strategy: Destination, Routine and Convenience
Not every category in your store should make money the same way. Treating categories as Destination, Routine, Convenience or Seasonal/Occasional lets you set the right margin ta…