Ever wondered how to take your equestrian retail business to the next level?
The Stables Retail Consultancy is here to help!
Founded by Sarah Giddings, a retail expert with experience at major brands like Next and niche equestrian businesses, the consultancy offers tailored advice and strategies to help businesses boost sales, enhance customer experiences, and adapt to modern trends like e-commerce and sustainability.
Sarah’s approach combines her passion for horses with her expertise in retail, giving businesses the tools they need to grow and thrive in the competitive equestrian market. From personalized training to strategic insights, The Stables Retail Consultancy is the perfect partner for your business success.
We chatted with Sarah to find out more about her and how The Stables Retail Consultancy can help equestrian brands and retailers.
Tell us about yourself and how you came to work in this sector.
I'm Sarah Giddings from The Stables Retail Consultancy. After school, I studied Fashion Marketing at the University of Northampton, inspired by the fashion world’s glamour. Over the past 12 years, I've worked in retail merchandising across various brands, including six years at Next, mastering data analysis and retail strategy. My love for horses shaped my discipline and perseverance, guiding me through my career and personal growth. Now, I combine my retail expertise with a passion for building relationships, using my consultancy to help businesses navigate challenges through flexible, external support in today’s evolving retail landscape
What is the idea behind The Stables Retail Consultancy and how can you help retailers?
After six years in the equestrian industry and over 20 years as a horse owner, I noticed that most retailers juggle every aspect of their business on their own. The idea behind The Stables Retail Consultancy is to offer my expertise as a second pair of eyes and ears, providing support and guidance. I aim to help retailers streamline their operations, make data-driven decisions, and navigate the complexities of the industry. By sharing my knowledge, I help businesses grow with confidence, offering tailored advice and strategies to ease their workload and drive success in a competitive retail landscape.
"By sharing my knowledge, I help businesses grow with confidence, offering tailored advice and strategies to ease their workload and drive success in a competitive retail landscape." – Sarah, Founder of The Stables Retail Consultancy
What common challenges do equestrian retail stores face, and how can they overcome them?
A common challenge equestrian retail stores face is not being data-driven, often making decisions based on intuition rather than facts. This lack of focus on data can lead to missed opportunities and inefficient stock management. To overcome this, retailers should prioritise gathering and analysing sales data, customer trends, and market insights. By using this information to guide their strategic actions, they can make informed decisions that optimise inventory, boost customer engagement, and improve profitability. Adopting a data-led approach ensures that their business strategies are aligned with actual performance, leading to more sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the market.
What can a retailer expect from partnering with you?
Retailers partnering with me can expect bespoke, tailored, and ongoing support that directly addresses their unique challenges. I bring a friendly, approachable presence, combined with a deep understanding of the daily hurdles that retailers face. My goal is to provide guidance that’s both strategic and practical, helping to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and ultimately grow their business. By working closely together, I offer a second pair of eyes, genuine empathy, and solutions that are grounded in real retail experience, ensuring retailers feel supported and confident in navigating the complexities of the market.
Can you share a memorable success story or a project that stands out in your career?
One memorable success in my career highlights my customer-centric approach. I truly value hearing the feedback my retail clients receive from their customers—the core reason for being in business. As cliché as "the customer is always right" may sound, it couldn't be more accurate. Focusing on their needs and wants must always be the priority. I once guided a retailer through a complete strategy shift based on customer insights, resulting in significantly increased satisfaction and sales. Seeing that transformation and the positive impact on both the business and its customers was a rewarding experience that reinforced my commitment to customer focus.
What do you see as the future of retail? Are there any emerging trends or technologies that retailers should be aware of?
The future of retail will likely involve market consolidation, making it essential for businesses to understand their unique direction and remain aware of competitive activities. Retailers should avoid getting distracted by industry noise and focus on solid data and customer insights to guide their strategies. Listening closely to customers and staying true to their brand’s purpose will be key. As challenges in the retail sector continue to grow, maintaining a clear vision and focusing on the core reason for the business will help retailers navigate change. Embracing data-driven decisions and evolving with emerging technologies will be crucial for long-term success.
What plans do you have for the future of The Stables Retail Consultancy?
My goal for The Stables Retail Consultancy is to make my knowledge and experience as accessible as possible. I believe in collaborative problem-solving and plan to launch “The Equestrian Retailer Network” in early 2025 to support this vision. This community will offer equestrian retailers access to an online forum, webinars on retail essentials, networking events, and a supplier directory. Members will benefit from resources, exclusive discounts, industry updates, and collaborative marketing opportunities. My focus is on creating a space where retailers can share ideas and grow their businesses together. The waitlist is now open, and I’d love to support retailers in their journey.
How can clients contact you or follow your work?
Clients can connect with me through my website www.thestablesretailconsultancy.co.uk
or follow my work on social media via
I also offer a free 30-minute call to all retailers, providing an opportunity to get to know each other and discuss their needs. You can book a call with me here: Calendly - The Stables Retail Consultancy.
I’d love to connect and explore how I can help support your retail journey!
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