David Ressinger

dressinger@sdretail.com

David has been consulting for retail and franchise organizations since 1995. Since then, he has participated in engagements in a variety of industries including retail, foodservice, retail services, franchising (including dealership and joint venture), licensing, and product distribution.

His areas of specialization in retail include store operations, headquarters effectiveness, workforce management, customer experience, business process design and implementation, new concept development, distribution and expansion strategy, operational and financial benchmarking and franchise operations and development.

• Led development and rollout of a multi-channel corporate growth initiative (retail, on-line, and through an extensive commercial sales force) for a 1000+ unit Big Box Office Supply Superstore with global presence. Led team that established and ran PMO to coordinate diverse team of 100+ including client’s business leadership, retail, commercial sales, production, corporate teams and several key vendor partners through development, testing and chain-wide rollout of this integrated offering. SD Retail also had primary responsibility for testing, documentation, training and rollout of this program. Project CapEx: $50 million. Initiative targeted 250% growth within 5 years. Solution delivered on-schedule.
• Re-engineered store and headquarters activities and processes to reduce store workload after a series of cuts in store payroll. Reduced, eliminated, or streamlined processes in merchandising, marketing, receiving, price changes, inventory management, clearance/markdown, and special orders. Also implemented "gatekeeper" program for communication and capacity management. Results included store payroll savings of more than 10% and identification of significant opportunities in a variety of other areas.
• Led team of 60 consultants and client personnel through testing/validation, documentation, planning and implementation of new store operating strategy in 200 locations in one region of a nationwide discount retail chain. New processes provided annual payroll savings in excess of $16 million. New processes will serve as foundation for future marketing, sales, and customer service initiatives.
• Redesigned customer facing operating processes and back office/field support strategies for nationwide specialty hardware retailer. Allowed increased focus on customer service and sales without additional payroll. Implemented new processes in test stores in multiple markets. Results included: customers assisted up 44 percent, conversion rate up 19 percent, and customer service time up 29 percent (per occurrence).
• Led implementation team through full documentation and transfer store rollout of redesigned processes in nationwide specialty hardware retailer's highest volume stores. Developed training, remote monitoring and reporting processes, selling skills training, and train-the-trainer programs for improved, consistent sales approaches throughout the organization.
• Developed marketing strategy and implementation plan for retail channel of large wireless communications provider.
• Developed licensing, distribution, and brand management strategy for global 100 heavy equipment manufacturer's $1 billion consumer products licensing business.
• Conducted expansion feasibility study for new owners of a regional hardware chain. Included concept review as well as review of headquarters operations, field support organization, store-level operations, systems and financial performance. Results included several modifications/enhancements prior to focusing on rapid expansion.
• Led development and implementation of several rapid expansion programs for franchisors. Included strategy, market planning, disclosure documentation, contracts, operations manuals, headquarters and field support strategies/tools, marketing, and compliance/enforcement programs.
• Led development and implementation of several rapid expansion programs for franchisors. Included strategy, market planning, disclosure documentation, contracts, operations manuals, headquarters and field support strategies/tools, marketing, and compliance/enforcement programs.

• Representative Retail Clients

  • Office Depot
  • Holt Renfrew
  • Big Lots
  • US Cellular
  • Foot Locker
  • Goodwill
  • Musicland Group
  • West Marine
  • Mazzio's
  • Sears
  • American Restaurant Group
  • Boise Cascade/Grand&Toy

Education and Certifications

M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship, DePaul University, Chicago.

Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, University of Wisconsin, Madison

1999 International Franchise Association Certification: Certified Franchise Executive