Free Resource: The Retail Readiness Checklist

Is your brand ready for major retail?

Most brands don't fail to get ranged because their product isn't good enough. They fail because they aren't commercially ready when the opportunity arrives. Buyers move fast — and they back suppliers who can demonstrate operational discipline from day one.

Download our Retail Readiness Checklist to assess where your brand stands across the five dimensions every major retailer evaluates before allocating shelf space. It's free, practical, and used by the same advisors who have built $800M+ in global sourcing programs and $1B+ retail portfolios.

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The MV Retail Advisory — Retail Readiness Checklist

Rate your business across each of the five dimensions below. Honest answers will show you exactly where to focus.

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Commercial Architecture

  • Do you have a clear pricing model that protects gross margin after retailer trading terms?

  • Can you demonstrate how your product generates incremental category growth for the retailer?

  • Do you have a promotional funding structure that supports retailer expectations without eroding profitability?

  • Have you modelled the full cost of retail — freight, rebates, markdown risk, and promotional spend?

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Supply Chain Readiness

  • Can your supply chain reliably support a national rollout across 50, 100, or 500 stores?

  • Do you have a minimum 12-week forward inventory position to cover ranging and first replenishment?

  • Are your lead times, MOQs, and supplier terms compatible with retailer replenishment expectations?

  • Do you have a contingency sourcing option if your primary supplier fails?

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Product & Compliance

  • Does your product meet the labelling, safety, and regulatory requirements for your target retailers?

  • Do you have retailer-ready barcode, EDI, and data syndication capability?

  • Is your packaging shelf-ready, planogram-compatible, and brand-consistent at retail scale?

  • Have you conducted a formal category review to understand where your product fits in the retailer's existing range?

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Financial Readiness

  • Do you have sufficient working capital to fund ranging stock, promotional investment, and retailer payment cycles?

  • Have you stress-tested your cash flow against a 60–90 day payment term scenario?

  • Do you have a clear understanding of your break-even volume at retail pricing?

  • Is your business structure and ABN/GST registration in order for major retailer onboarding?

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Commercial Relationships & Positioning

  • Have you identified the correct buyer or category manager for your product at your target retailers?

  • Do you have a retailer-ready category presentation — not just a product brochure?

  • Can you clearly articulate why your product grows the category, not just takes share from existing products?

  • Do you have any existing distribution, sales data, or proof of consumer demand you can present to a buyer?

Score: 16–20 ticks — you are likely retail-ready. Book a call to discuss ranging strategy.

Score: 10–15 ticks — you have strong foundations with gaps to address. We can help you close them fast.

Score: under 10 ticks — you need a structured retail readiness program before approaching buyers. Let's talk.

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