In May 2018, my company, a major beverage retailer, asked me to move to Denver to assist in opening their first warehouse/retail store in that market. At the start, it was just the store manager and myself facing a July 2018 grand opening. Out of necessity, I took the lead in every aspect of the work. My responsibilities were extensive and multifaceted, encompassing everything from market research to staff onboarding.
Initial Responsibilities and Team Management
To prepare for the launch, I conducted comprehensive market research on competitors' pricing, stock levels, and loyalty programs. Additionally, I was responsible for reviewing resumes, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding the majority of the warehouse, merchandising, spirits, and cashier staff. This project provided me with invaluable experience in large team management, customer service, high-volume warehousing, and solving unique challenges.
Emphasizing teamwork, communication, and accountability, I held daily huddles with each team at the beginning of every shift to clearly communicate plans and expectations. For shifts when I was not present, I designated direct reports to lead and provide feedback, fostering an internal pipeline for promoting employees from individual contributors to leadership roles.
Pre-Opening Challenges
A significant challenge arose when we learned that the occupancy permit for the warehouse would not be secured until just before the scheduled opening date. This restriction prevented us from storing any retail items in the warehouse. To address this, I collaborated with key team members to develop innovative solutions such as converting the classroom into temporary storage, taking extra precautions to avoid damage since it would be used soon after warehouse operations commenced, carefully expanding in-store displays without compromising customer comfort, allowing us to hold more inventory on the sales floor, and utilizing overhead space creatively, enhancing the store's aesthetics with additional banners and signage to conceal excess inventory.
Responding to Unexpected Customer Demand
Following the on-time grand opening, we faced another challenge: customer volume was triple what was projected. This required a rapid increase in order sizes and staff to prevent stock shortages of key items. I conducted in-depth analysis of sales and inventory data to prioritize essential products and adjust order quantities accordingly. Additionally, I worked closely with our vendors to ensure they could meet our increased demands, providing them with detailed forecasts and order schedules.
Despite the ongoing warehouse limitations, the warehouse team continued to adapt, adjusting storage practices and maintaining store organization amid the increased traffic.
Managing Expanded Operations
Shortly after opening, our operations expanded to a 24-hour schedule to meet the heightened demand. I managed responsibilities across all shifts, including, Warehouse management, Overseeing the spirits department, and General store operations such as profit and loss reviews, labor management, scheduling, money management, conflict resolution, and enforcing opening and closing policies
Implementing Long-Term Solutions
A few weeks after opening, we finally obtained the warehouse occupancy permit. However, we faced the challenge of operating without the racking system, which had not yet been delivered or installed. To mitigate this, I developed a custom storage plan that increased capacity and efficiency while allowing the racking system to be installed later without significant disruptions to operations.
Contributions of the Merchandising Team
The merchandising team, under my supervision, also played a crucial role during this period. They designed and maintained impactful displays throughout the store, covering all product categories and often incorporating cross-merchandising strategies. Their creativity not only maximized our limited space but also enhanced the shopping experience, making the store inviting despite the storage constraints. Their efforts were recognized in company-wide communications, highlighting the positive impact their displays had on sales.
Outstanding Results
Despite these challenges, our store led the Midwest in sales and ranked among the highest revenue locations nationwide. Our shrink rate was the lowest in our district and among the lowest company wide. The spirits department, under my supervision, achieved sales figures 50% higher than expected, significantly contributing to the store's strong margins.
