The Retail Consumables Maturity Index
Most retailers manage retail consumables as an operational necessity, not a management discipline. The Retail Consumables Maturity Index is a practical diagnostic that provides a clear, structured view of how effectively your operational consumables are being managed today, and where hidden inefficiencies, risk and complexity are being introduced across your retail estate.
Why this matters
Operational consumables underpin day-to-day retail operations, yet they are rarely managed strategically. Fragmented purchasing, limited visibility and inconsistent processes don’t fail loudly, they quietly drive up cost, waste and operational risk over time.
The Retail Consumables Maturity Index is designed to help retailers step back and understand how well the system itself is working today.
What the assessment looks at...
The Index assesses your organisation's maturity across the 7 Cs of Retail Consumables, providing a structured view of how consumables are governed, managed and connected across your estate:
- Control – standards, ownership and visibility
- Centralisation – how ordering is governed and coordinated
- Consolidation – range rationalisation and SKU management
- Clarity – data, reporting and insight
- Cost – total cost, not just unit price
- Conscious – sustainability and responsible choices
- Complete – how joined-up your overall approach
Together, these dimensions reflect whether consumables are being treated as an administrative burden, or as a managed operational category.
What you’ll get
On completion, you’ll receive:
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An overall consumables maturity level -
Individual scores across each of the 7 Cs -
Plain-English insight into what your results mean in practice -
A clear visual highlighting strengths and priority areas -
A downloadable PDF you can share internally
What this isn’t
This is not:
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A cost-saving calculator
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A benchmark against other retailers
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A test you can pass or fail
It’s a diagnostic starting point, designed to support better conversations, clearer priorities and more structured improvement.
Who it’s for
The Index is designed for multi-site retailers, particularly those involved in:
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Operations
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Procurement
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Sustainability
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Retail leadership
It’s equally relevant whether you’re managing a small estate or a complex national footprint.