Case Study
Kitchen Warehouse
1503 Wimbledon Drive, Suite C | Alexandria, Louisiana 71301 | www.kitchenwh.com
Place
Kitchen Warehouse is the one-stop shop for all gourmet cooking needs from cookware, bakeware and cookbooks to gadgets and gourmet foods. The Kitchen Warehouse also offers onsite cooking lessons for a full culinary learning experience.
Mission-Part 1
Our assignment was to assist the store owner, Mimi Kirzner, in constructing a brand as well as planning and buying inventory in preparation for her store opening. We also agreed to support the fledgling store's critical first few months with retail consulting services that included ongoing coaching and mentoring by our team of experts.
Tactics
Working virtually with this long-distance client, we conducted research on the demographics and retail environment of central Louisiana and observed current trends of kitchen stores, trade shows and vendors specific to the competing retail market.
Via conference calls, we shared our research results, as well as specific feedback on business processes such as vendor selection, inventory projections and assortment, store design, branding, marketing and packaging. In an ongoing dialogue, our team provided input into the choice of the business name and researched the availability of the domain name.
Results
The Kitchen Warehouse opened in the August 2008 with great success.
Mission-Part 2
Mimi contacted us for a follow up in the fall of 2008 to discuss the direction of the store. She was concerned that while the key elements of the business (kitchen store, culinary classes, private parties for children and adults and gourmet food business) were all working together, they were not being utilized to the fullest. The website was up, but incomplete, and not being used to its full potential. We were happy to re-engage.
Tactics
Mimi had really good questions about capitalizing on the upcoming holiday season, training staff and advertising. Again, via conference call, our team met with Mimi and provided ideas and practical advice on getting the word out about her business and holiday shopping events to bring in more business.
Results
The Kitchen Warehouse proceeded to exceed its store business plan for Holiday 2008 (not too many stores can say that) and is going forward with significant positive momentum.
What the Client Had to Say
"It's always risky hiring someone straight from the internet without knowing about you personally. You came through on everything and gave me the confidence that I needed to know that my instincts were correct. Even in a turbulent financial environment that the country is in, Kitchen Warehouse continues to flourish. It's all about keeping it fresh!"
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