Retail & Consumer Goods
Control at the Speed of Commerce.
The Landscape
Retail is a game of volume. With thousands of daily transactions, even a small error in GST configuration or inventory control compounds into massive losses. The rise of Omnichannel sales adds another layer of complexity.
Key Challenges
Shrinkage (Theft)
Reconciliation Nightmares
Franchise Governance
What We Offer
Stock Audits
Automated Reconciliation
Margin Analysis
GST on Discounts
Who this is for
Retail and consumer goods businesses come to us when volume hides the truth. That includes chains with several outlets, brands selling through marketplaces, franchise networks and distributors whose stock and settlement records no longer match.
A small error in GST configuration, discount treatment or stock control compounds across thousands of transactions. We look for the pattern rather than the individual entry.
Retail rewards speed, so our reporting is built to be read weekly rather than quarterly. The monthly pack stays short and the exceptions get the attention.
How we work with Retail & Consumer Goods businesses
-
Store and channel review
We map sales, returns, discounts and settlements by outlet and by channel, and reconcile them to the bank.
-
Stock verification
Surprise counts, POS data and inward records are compared to find shrinkage and process gaps.
-
GST and margin analysis
Discounts, free schemes and marketplace fees are tested for GST treatment, and SKU-level margins show where the business actually makes money.
-
Controls and reporting
Approval limits, daily reconciliation and a monthly store-level P&L are introduced so the position stays current.
The SCORE Advantage
What you can expect
The owner can see margin by store and by channel, the stock variance has an owner, and the GST position on discounts and marketplace sales is documented. That usually changes both pricing and the monthly review agenda. The store-level P&L also makes the monthly review faster, because the conversation starts from the same numbers for every outlet.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a retail chain count stock?
High-value or fast-moving outlets should be counted monthly or quarterly, with a full count before the year end. Surprise counts matter more than scheduled ones, because they test the control rather than the preparation. The count should be unannounced, because a scheduled count tests preparation rather than control.
How do you reconcile marketplace payouts?
We match orders, returns, fees and TCS credit from the marketplace report to the bank receipt and the GST return. The differences are usually timing, but they must be explained rather than written off. The reconciliation is done monthly so that a small timing difference does not become a year-end write-off.
What GST applies to discounts and free schemes?
A discount shown on the invoice reduces the taxable value; a post-sale discount needs a credit note and the conditions in the rules. Free schemes and buy-one-get-one offers have their own treatment, so the invoice design matters. The invoice wording and the credit note process should be agreed with the finance and sales teams.
Can you audit franchisee sales?
Yes. We compare franchisee POS data, purchases and royalty reporting, and test whether sales are being under-reported. The review can be a one-off or a quarterly programme. The review compares purchases, stock and reported sales, and follows up on the gaps.
What causes stock shrinkage?
Theft, damage, receiving errors, returns not recorded and cut-off mistakes. Finding which one dominates requires comparing receipts, issues and returns by item, shift and location, not just counting the shelf. The pattern usually points to one process, one location or one shift rather than a general problem.
Do you work with e-commerce-only brands?
Yes. We handle marketplace accounting, inventory at third-party warehouses, TCS, refunds and the unit economics that sit behind the platform dashboard. We reconcile platform fees, returns, storage charges and TCS to the bank and the GST returns. The platform data is the starting point, not the final word.
Can you help with inventory at dark stores?
Yes. We count and reconcile stock at dark stores and fulfilment centres, including stock in transit and returns. The location-wise report shows the variance and the process gap behind it. The count covers stock in transit as well as stock on the shelf.
How do you handle returns and refunds?
Returns are matched to the original sale, the credit note and the refund, so that revenue, GST and inventory all reflect the same transaction. The reconciliation is reviewed monthly. The credit note is matched to the refund reference. The same method applies to marketplace returns.
How do you value closing stock?
We test the cost, the net realisable value and the ageing provision, then reconcile the value to the ledger. Slow-moving and damaged stock is identified separately, because that is usually where the overstatement sits. The valuation working is signed off before the audit begins.