Protecting Retail Margins — With People Who Know the Pace

A selection of two to four profiles is typically available within 24 to 36 hours. The key factors are what’s specified in the briefing: the format—print, online, or both—the product category, and whether the person is expected to make decisions or provide support. For service and logistics roles during peak season, lead time is crucial because the same profiles are in high demand across the industry. From our network of over 23,000 vetted experts, positions in pricing, category management, and Supply Chain Management can usually be filled on short notice.

Yes. We filter by areas under management, sales volumes, and categories—not by certifications: How many locations, what sales figures, and which categories? During the interview, we ask about the price adjustment or product line change that posed the greatest challenge. Anyone familiar only with online retail underestimates the logic behind shelf space, terms and conditions, and listing negotiations—and vice versa.

The median rate across all assignments is €1,050 per day. The rate depends on the role and level of responsibility: an interim sales manager earns more than a demand planner, while a category manager falls somewhere in between. Costs are typically 30 to 60% of those of traditional management consultancies. You can find out which range applies to your role directly on the role page.

Yes. Consumer goods manufacturers face the same question from the other side: product placement, terms and conditions, promotional planning, and building a direct sales channel without losing retail partners. This perspective is included in the briefing because it influences the selection process—a key account manager on the manufacturer’s side works differently than a buyer on the retailer’s side. We regularly staff roles on both sides.

The interim manager takes on a temporary line management role—in sales, purchasing, or customer service—with the authority to issue instructions and responsibility for revenue and margins. Freelance management consultants prepare decisions regarding the store network, product assortment optimization, pricing structure, and channel strategy. The subject-matter expert provides expertise on the project, such as in the store management system, inventory management, or the returns process.

For the Christmas and promotional seasons, staffing in service, logistics, and scheduling is often temporarily increased. Planning ahead is crucial: Four to six weeks before the peak, the selection is significantly broader than two weeks before. Assignments typically end when the clearance sale is over or after the wave of returns in January, with a notice period of usually 5 to 10 days.

The focus is on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), the Packaging Act with its extended producer responsibility, and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). All four have a simultaneous impact on product assortment, supplier selection, and documentation. We handle the implementation—the legal assessment remains the responsibility of your legal department or law firm.

Typically, with a notice period of 5 to 10 days, depending on the agreed-upon term. That’s why staffing works during seasonal peaks and when making location decisions: There are no fixed costs as long as no decision has been made regarding space and distribution channels. Extensions are the norm.

We work with your legal or procurement department to clarify the contract terms, reporting structures, work equipment, and documentation before we begin, and we tailor our services accordingly. This is particularly relevant in warehousing and service, where we work closely with internal teams. This does not replace legal advice: the assessment of individual cases remains the responsibility of your legal team.

The most in-demand roles are pricing strategists, category managers in procurement, demand planners, and inventory managers, as well as last-mile specialists and contact center managers for service and returns. Next on the list are e-commerce development, CRM administration, and customer experience management. We determine which role best fits the job during the briefing—often it’s a different one than the one initially requested.

Most of the time, yes, because a pricing round involves both data analysis and negotiation, and it’s rarely possible to do both alongside day-to-day business. An external consultant calculates contribution margins per item, organizes the promotional strategy, and prepares the rationale for the supplier meeting. Assignments typically last four to eight months and conclude with the implementation of the new price list.

Yes. That’s exactly where the costs arise that ultimately make or break a channel decision: order fulfillment, transportation, returns processing, and the terms offered by service providers. A logistics manager or last-mile specialist can often make an impact there more quickly than a strategic initiative because they focus on existing contracts and processes.