About the Authors

Both authors have spent their careers in retail working as both consultants and insiders: Consulting across a broad spectrum of Softgoods, Hardgoods, Food and Drug, Internet, large, small, growing, and in-trouble retailers; working inside retailers in lead positions in Merchandising, Merchandise Planning, Merchandise Performance, Business Development, Business Process Reengineering, MIS, Systems Implementation, and Finance.

Gary Hazen started his career with what is now Accenture after obtaining his MBA from the Harvard Business School. While having responsibility for retail consulting, he provided services across a broad range of retailers in areas of Strategic Planning, Merchandising, Profit Improvement, and Integrated Retail Systems, working with major Softgoods, Hardgoods, Discounters, and Drug Store chains. He then took on lead responsibilities for MIS, Merchandise Performance, Business Development, and Finance within large chain hardgoods and softgoods retailers. In addition, he has worked for major Retail and ERP Software vendors, implementing integrated retail and data warehouse systems with both major retailers and internet start-ups. It is this broad range of experience that allows Gary to select the best examples of opportunities that distinguish successful retailers from the ‘also-rans.’

Nick Hall began his retail career with San Francisco-based Joseph Magnin. There, he first became involved with retail automation, replacing the company’s first generation point-of-sale system and implementing an online merchandise reporting system. He joined Deloitte Haskins +Sells as a senior consultant in the retail group where he provided retail application design and development advice to the firm’s clients. He was then recruited by a premiere retail software vendor where he worked with major retailers to implement advanced retail systems. Following this, he worked directly for a major softgoods and discount department store where he led application development using advanced technology and best practices. It is this broad range of experience that ensures that the opportunities outlined are taking advantage of the latest techniques and are proven, practical solutions.