Crabtree Consulting has launched a Fractional Buyer service aimed at independent jewellery retailers facing growing operational strain from vendor complexity, duplicated products, and inconsistent pricing.

The advisory firm says many retailers are struggling with vendor overload and limited time for market research, which leads to diluted vendor relationships, missed margin opportunities, and inventory that turns too slowly or not at all.

The company’s new service aims to offer expert buying knowledge without retailers needing to employ a full-time buyer.

According to Crabtree Consulting, the offering focuses on streamlining vendor partnerships, removing duplication across product ranges, and defining key categories like studs, tennis bracelets, solitaires, hoops, and bands.

The company states it uses detailed assortment analysis and proprietary research to develop transparent pricing strategies based on what top local, regional, and online competitors charge. The aim is to give retailers confidence in pricing while safeguarding margins.

The service is designed as a practical, hands-on solution. Crabtree Consulting oversees negotiations, product selection, program setup, and ongoing vendor relationships, allowing retailers to focus more on sales, leadership, and business growth.

“Our goal is to help retailers simplify their business while becoming stronger partners to fewer, more strategic vendors,” the company said. “When assortment, pricing, and vendor strategy are aligned, profitability follows.”

Brian Stamey, vice president of retail sales operations at International Diamond Center, said his company saw measurable improvements after working with Crabtree Consulting’s Fractional Buyer team. He said the firm evaluated operations, conducted secret shopping, and purchased competitors’ products to assess quality, uncovering insights his internal staff did not have time to investigate.

Stamey said the company increased margins, reduced SKUs and aged inventory, revised pricing structures, and rebuilt an entire division. He said the changes transformed a time-consuming internal task into “streamlined success,” allowing the retailer to focus on core operations.

More information about the Fractional Buyer service is available at https://www.crabtreeadvisory.com/fractional-buyer.