About Us

We offer strategic, analytical and operational assistance for all key retail and consumer products functions.

In 2004 Atlanta Retail Consulting was formed by seasoned retail consulting professionals to address the need for experienced retail consulting advice and implementation guidance. Today’s typical consulting resource is often overpriced, lacking in true deep retail experience, and, most particularly, unfamiliar with execution in a chain environment. Atlanta Retail Consulting was formed as a solution to these industry challenges and to provide retailers and consumer products organizations with a resource that is properly skilled and better able to meet their real needs.

We have combined a core team of hand-chosen, dedicated retail consulting experts who have previously proven themselves in the retail industry. Our team is skilled at analysis, in tune with the true retail environment and has proven experience implementing meaningful, measurable improvement.

Atlanta Retail Consulting provides high quality strategic, analytical, and operational consulting assistance to clients who are honestly motivated to identify and realize quantifiable improvement in their revenue stream and/or cost structure.

Our leadership team is headed by Pat Fitzpatrick

Patrick Fitzpatrick is the President and founder of Atlanta Retail Consulting Inc. Following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York, with an Industrial Engineering and Financial Management background, he worked for almost a decade with Colt Industries (as a member of the Management Career System) in various division operational and financial positions including Manager of Financial Analysis and Assistant Controller.

In 1982 Patrick took a position with a leading retail consulting organization that was subsequently merged into Arthur Andersen & Co. Over the following seventeen years Patrick managed and was accountable for scores of successful consulting engagements for retail, manufacturing and financial services clients while rising to Director of National Retail Consulting Sales for Arthur Andersen North America. In 1998 he accepted a partner position with another large international consulting organization, rising to senior partner in 2003. In 2004 Patrick formed Atlanta Retail Consulting Inc.

In recent months our team has:

Managed the store re-design of a regional bookstore chain. While partnering with one of retail’s most sought after design firms, we created a radically new store design, upgraded the existing units, reduced unproductive inventory and created a prototype model which is currently being used as the template for expansion.
Performed a detailed multi-location performance assessment for one of the largest and best known resort retail management firms. Our team recommended branded nameplate shifts, location and design modifications, and operational support improvements focused on increasing sales revenue.
Performed a thorough supply-chain analysis for one of the best known home accessory distributors in the US. The review touched on all aspects of the business and culminated in a detailed plan to realign key organizational teams, upgrade systems and procedures, and streamline the functioning of the sales force.
Analyzed the labor effectiveness of a major supermarket chain in conjunction with a legal challenge. The analysis performed was integral in restructuring the defense strategy employed to fend off the legal complaint.
Performed a forensic analysis of one of the largest retail chains in conjunction with a “material adverse change” complaint and determination of damages. Our team provided the defendant with an invaluable platform for their defense and a detailed perspective of the inner-workings of the organization in dispute.
Performed a supply chain assessment for a northeastern apparel distributor that provides fashion apparel, fashion accessories and a dedicated cosmetics line to mass and general U.S. fashion retailers. Our team developed a comprehensive list of improvement recommendations for senior management and has begun guiding the implementation of new processes. Implementation will focus on activity based costing studies to cost justify key value added services currently offered, streamlining the order-entry process, DC workflow redesign, and coordination of activities in multiple distribution center locations.
Assisted a leading fine jewelry retailer and operator of licensed fine jewelry departments in department stores throughout the United States with; the development of a new internal product warranty program strategy, a self-insured operational plan, a pro-forma for transition to a self-insured status, and the negotiation / selection process with various outside participating insurance organizations.
Analyzed the store operational practices and labor utilization of a large west-coast based fashion retailer, with a focus on all aspects of the in-store pricing function. We also identified operational impediments along with focused recommendations for future improvement. Our team observed key process steps in multiple locations permitting the development of new, more accurate store labor standards reflecting current task procedures. Future phases of work will include assistance with implementation of the process improvement recommendations, coordination with all store functions, and the recalculation of store standards based upon revised procedures.
Developed a dynamic revenue enhancement strategy and go-to-market plan for a national service provider organization. The work involved our team learning the details of the firm’s current marketing approach, performing a thorough SWOT analysis and recommending; a new strategy including marketing approach, sales strategy and enhanced selling tools utilization, web presence enhancement, staffing level changes, roles and responsibilities recommendations, and new management metrics.
Performed a detailed merchandising process review for a nationally known mass retailer. The process required our team to thoroughly review the corporate level merchandising process - including the buying, planning, and allocation functions. We reviewed all aspects of the current merchandising system and a detailed review was performed of the current distribution process and distribution network efficiency. Recommendations for improvement were developed and presented with immediate, near-term, and long-term perspectives and details for an implementation strategy. Assistance with the implementation process is also scheduled to begin.