Retail Makeover Challenge Packet
Consulting Dossier Case File #RMC-2026
Retail Strategy Simulation
Retail Makeover Challenge
Client: The Style Spot | Boutique Turnaround Strategy
Consulting Team Members:
Period:
Date:
The Client's Crisis: The Style Spot
The Style Spot sells casual clothing, footwear, and accessories. The boutique has suffered three consecutive quarters of declining revenue, low basket sizes, and negative customer reviews. The owner has documented six primary store audit findings:
• Clothing racks are jammed, crowded, and hard to browse.
• Products lack organization by category, size, or color palette.
• Sale signage is chaotic; key prices are hidden or missing.
• The store lacks a defined target customer or cohesive identity.
• Shoppers struggle to assemble complete coordinating outfits.
• High-margin entrance displays are cluttered and overlooked.
1 Round 1: Retail Rescue Investigation
Diagnostic Phase
1. Select 3 core problems from the audit and evaluate their commercial impact:
Store Problem Identified
Commercial Impact: How does this damage shopper experience or sales?
#1
#2
#3
2. Strategic Prioritization: Which single problem must your team fix first?
Justify your priority: Why must this issue be resolved before anything else can succeed?
Retail Makeover Challenge • Phase 1 Audit Page 1 of 4
2
Round 2: Strategic Business Decisions
The 4 Ps Blueprint
Every retail decision must connect. Align your target persona, merchandising mix, price tier, and promotional pull.
3. Define Your Target Customer Persona
Customer Segmentation
Build a detailed profile for the primary shopper you will tailor The Style Spot for (age bracket, aesthetic/style vibe, lifestyle interests, wardrobe needs, spending budget):
Demographic Profile (Age, Life Stage):
Aesthetic Vibe (e.g., Streetwear, Minimalist):
Key Lifestyle Needs & Shopping Motivations:
4. Select Three Core Product Categories
Product Strategy
Select 3 categories that coordinate seamlessly (e.g., tailored tops, premium denim, sneakers, layered outerwear, tote bags, jewelry):
Category A:
Category B:
Category C:
Strategic Fit: Why do these three categories naturally pair together for your chosen customer?
5. Price Positioning & Value Strategy
Pricing Strategy
Select one pricing model that matches your customer's wallet and your product quality (circle one):
[ ] Budget-Friendly
High volume, accessible pricing
[ ] Mid-Range
Quality value, everyday stylish
[ ] Premium
Curated, boutique exclusivity
Positioning Rationale: Why does this price point support your brand identity?
6. Launch Promotion Campaign
Promotion Strategy
Campaign Concept / Offer Name:
Format (Bundle / Loyalty / Social):
Behavioral Trigger: How specifically will this promotion drive foot traffic and increase shopping basket size?
Retail Makeover Challenge • Phase 2 Strategic Alignment Page 2 of 4
3
Round 3: Visual Merchandising & Store Redesign
Place (Store Layout)
Transform chaotic aisles into an intuitive, shoppable journey that maximizes dwell time and outfit cross-selling.
Store Blueprint & Merchandising Map
[X] Entrance Sightline [→] Customer Flow Path [★] Focal Point / Power Wall
▲ Main Entrance & Decompression Zone ▲
Sketch Floor Plan & Fixture Placement Here
Position feature tables, mannequins, clothing racks, fitting rooms, and checkout counter
Fitting Rooms Area Cash Wrap / Checkout Desk
Focal display point
3 distinct product zones
Clear promotional signage
Arrows showing traffic flow
7. Justify Your Spatial Strategy
A. Entrance Sightline: Where will shoppers look first when stepping inside, and why?
B. Cross-Merchandising: How does your layout help shoppers assemble full matching outfits effortlessly?
C. Friction Reduction: How does your plan eliminate rack congestion and pricing confusion?
Retail Makeover Challenge • Phase 3 Visual Merchandising Page 3 of 4
4
Round 4: 60-Second Consultant Pitch
Executive Presentation
Deliver a punchy, 1-minute persuasive pitch to store ownership. Organize your talking points below:
Part 1: The Hook & Root Problem 15 sec
What critical bottleneck was killing The Style Spot's sales?
Part 2: Target & Value Strategy 15 sec
Who is the new target shopper and how does your product fit?
Part 3: The 4 Ps Execution 15 sec
Highlight at least two 4 Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion):
Part 4: Commercial Impact & ROI 15 sec
Why will this revive customer enthusiasm and revenue?
Individual Consultant Reflection
(Complete independently)
In your personal opinion, what was the single most impactful recommendation your team proposed?
Explain the commercial reasoning: Why will this specific change improve the store's performance?
Peer Review Log (Score 2 other consulting teams during their pitch)
Team Name: ____________ Score: /10
Strongest recommendation heard:
Team Name: ____________ Score: /10
Strongest recommendation heard:
Retail Makeover Challenge • Phase 4 Pitch & Reflection Page 4 of 4
Storefront Makeover Slides
Consulting Simulation 90-Minute Retail Sprint
Retail Strategy Agency
Retail Makeover
Challenge
Your consulting agency has been hired to rescue The Style Spot—a struggling boutique suffering from declining foot traffic and chaotic merchandising.
1
Audit the Crisis
2
Align the 4 Ps
3
Redesign & Pitch
Client Case File
The Style Spot's 6 Core Symptoms
Audit Review
Crowded Clothing Racks
Hangers are jammed tight; customers cannot browse easily without frustration.
No Category System
Merchandise is scattered randomly without sorting by type, size, or colorway.
Confusing Pricing & Signs
Sale tags contradict signs; shoppers have to search to discover item costs.
Unclear Target Customer
Trying to cater to everyone has left the boutique without a distinct brand point of view.
Agency Mission: Identify the root bottleneck, select a clear target persona, and rebuild the retail mix!
Strategic Toolkit
Connecting the 4 Ps in Fashion Retail
Product
Merchandising
Curate 3 categories that cross-sell into complete outfits.
Tops + Denim + Shoes
Price
Positioning
Set a coherent tier: Budget, Mid-range, or Boutique Premium.
Matches customer budget
Place
Floor Layout
Traffic flow, sightlines, decompression entrance, and power walls.
Eliminates store congestion
Promotion
Incentive
Campaigns, bundles, or loyalty perks that motivate immediate purchase.
"Buy outfit, save 20%"
Consultant Rule: If your 4 Ps don't support each other, the customer gets confused and leaves empty-handed.
Team Sprint • 20 Minutes
Rounds 1 & 2: Audit & Business Decisions
20:00
1
Round 1: Investigation
- Select 3 audit symptoms on Page 1.
- Diagnose impact on foot traffic & basket size.
- Pinpoint your #1 priority fix & justify it.
2
Round 2: The 4 Ps Strategy
- Define target persona (Age, Style, Budget).
- Pick 3 coordinating product categories.
- Select price positioning + 1 irresistible promo.
Retail Rescue Teacher Guide
Educator Resource 90-Minute High School / CTE Marketing Simulation
Retail Rescue Facilitation Guide
Turnaround Consulting Simulation: Business Decisions, Visual Merchandising, & 4 Ps Integration
Duration 90 Minutes
Group Size 3–4 Consultants
Core Concepts 4 Ps, Merchandising, ROI
Deliverable Packet + 60s Pitch
Student Learning Objectives
Diagnostic Analysis: Identify retail friction points that depress average order value and customer satisfaction.
4 Ps Strategic Cohesion: Align product categories, pricing tier, and promotion to a defined target persona.
Visual Merchandising: Design a store floor plan that directs foot traffic and encourages cross-selling.
Executive Communication: Deliver a concise, evidence-based 60-second pitch advocating for client changes.
90-Minute Instructional Timeline
00–10 min
Agency Kickoff & Client Briefing: Hook students with the scenario. Distribute packets, introduce The Style Spot's crisis, assign teams, and review consulting deliverables.
10–30 min
Sprint 1: Rounds 1 & 2 (Audit & Strategy Alignment): Teams identify top 3 problems, choose priority issue, define target customer persona, and align the 4 Ps (categories, pricing tier, promotion).
30–55 min
Sprint 2: Round 3 (Visual Merchandising & Floor Plan): Teams sketch the store layout on Page 3. Guide teams on focal points, traffic flow, cross-merchandising tables, and justifying spatial decisions.
55–80 min
Sprint 3: Round 4 (60-Second Pitches & Peer Review): 5 minutes for script polish; 20 minutes for presentations (1 min pitch + 30s quick transition per group). Non-presenting peers score teams on Page 4.
80–90 min
Debrief & Individual Reflection: Whole-class discussion highlighting creative strategies. Students independently complete the reflection on Page 4. Collect packets.
Recommended Consultant Roles (3–4 Students)
Lead Strategist
Keeps team on schedule; ensures target customer persona drives every decision.
Visual Merchandiser
Leads floor plan drafting; ensures sightlines, zones, and flow arrows are drawn clearly.
Financial & Promo Lead
Aligns price tier with customer budget; calculates commercial promo feasibility.
Consultant Pitch Rubric
Assessment Instrument Retail Makeover Challenge • Round 4
Consultant Pitch Evaluation Rubric
Scoring standard for the 60-second executive pitch to The Style Spot ownership
Presenting Team / Agency:
Target Persona Selected:
Total Score:
/ 16 pts
Performance Criteria
Exemplary (4)
Proficient (3)
Developing (2)
Beginning (1)
Pts
1. Problem Diagnosis & Hook Root cause analysis of The Style Spot's retail decline.
Pinpoints root cause precisely; hooks client with sharp commercial urgency.
Clearly identifies valid store bottleneck and explains impact on shoppers.
Mentions general problem; vague connection to lost sales or foot traffic.
Unclear or inaccurate problem; lacks business context.
/ 4
2. Persona & 4 Ps Cohesion Product, Price, Place, and Promotion alignment.
Vivid persona; 2+ of 4 Ps integrate flawlessly (e.g. price matches target budget).
Defined persona; at least two 4 Ps clearly supported and logical.
Broad target audience; 4 Ps elements feel disjointed or conflicting.
Generic "everyone" customer; 4 Ps omitted or misapplied.
/ 4
3. Store Layout & Flow Sightlines, power walls, cross-merchandising.
Focal power wall, traffic arrows, and outfit cross-selling clearly explained.
Logical layout addressing rack crowding with organized merchandise zones.
Basic floor arrangement; lacks clear customer flow or focal sightlines.
Unorganized sketch; does not resolve crowding or browsing confusion.
/ 4
4. Pitch Delivery & ROI 60-second limit, persuasive closing, team presence.
Polished, persuasive, on time (50–65s); articulates compelling revenue ROI.
Confident delivery within time range; clearly explains expected sales boost.
Rushed or overtime; reads notes verbatim; minimal explanation of impact.
Significant timing issue; unfocused delivery without persuasive impact.
/ 4
Key Strategic Strengths:
Consulting Growth Opportunity:
Pitch Showcase Superlative Awards (Check if applicable):
★ Best Visual Floor Plan
★ Most Cohesive 4 Ps Mix
★ Highest Projected ROI
Retail Rescue Challenge • Round 4 Consultant Pitch Scoring Rubric Page 1 of 1
