about kent smith

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With over 20 years of expertise in retail merchandising, store planning, and space optimization, Kent Smith is a retail consulting leader who helps businesses transform their store environments to drive sales, improve customer experiences, and maximize operational efficiency. Having worked with top retailers and brands across various industries, Kent combines data-driven insights, consumer behavior analytics, and visual merchandising expertise to create impactful, revenue-generating strategies.

As Senior Director of Store Environment, Space Planning & Visual Merchandising, Kent led cross-functional teams to translate enterprise strategy, consumer insights, and competitive trends into store-ready planograms, floor plans, and visual merchandising strategies. He played a pivotal role in launching 600+ new stores, optimizing store layouts, reducing costs, and enhancing fixture sourcing and replenishment processes through offshore distribution collaboration. His leadership also resulted in the successful development of a new store format through data-driven innovation.

As VP of Business Development - JDA Blue Yonder Category Management Systems, Kent helped top grocery, convenience, and CPG brands optimize store layouts and product assortments. His expertise in planogramming and space management software led to direct partnerships with major retailers, expanding their capabilities in localized and data-driven merchandising strategies.

In his role as VP of Business Development & Consulting, Kent collaborated with grocery, mass, and specialty retailers to implement best practices in category management, space optimization, and localization strategies. He played a key role in shaping the company’s systems roadmap, introducing cutting-edge solutions for behavioral clustering, assortment planning, and store execution. His expertise extended globally, working with businesses across North America and Australia.

As Director of Merchandise Presentation, Kent led floor planning and planogram teams, developing national, regional, and culturally adapted retail strategies. He spearheaded the standardization of JDA/Blue Yonder planogramming systems, improving new store and remodel performance through category prioritization, local market adaptation, and space optimization.

B.Comm, Commerce, Finance, Economics & Geography (1986 - 1991)Kent earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in Commerce, Finance, Economics, Systems, and Geography, equipping him with a strong analytical and strategic foundation for his career in retail consulting.

Kent holds dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., allowing him to work seamlessly with businesses across North America. His international expertise enables him to develop strategies that are adaptable to diverse markets, ensuring success in both regional and global retail landscapes.

Kent Smith’s consulting services focus on retail transformation through strategic merchandising, space planning, and data-driven insights. Whether optimizing store layouts, improving visual merchandising, enhancing product assortments, or integrating omnichannel solutions, Kent provides tailored strategies that help retailers stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.

Kent believes the future of retail lies in a seamless blend of physical and digital experiences. His mission is to help retailers not just survive but thrive in today’s rapidly changing environment. Contact Kent today to discuss how his expertise can drive growth, efficiency, and innovation in your business.