Testimonials

SMS has a proven track record of operating retail audits for the sports industry and understands the value it can bring to retailers. Having worked in the specialty running retail market myself as the General Manager of Up & Running for over 20 years, I know the importance of understanding your sales and being able to access key market data to benchmark and see how you are doing. Insights are very important for the running retail sector to understand the true value of the sector.

The Bicycle Association Market Data Service is a real game-changer. Suppliers are able to see how many items are actually being sold and this helps make better buying decisions. Retailers can see if slow-moving stock is their problem or a market issue. I can now see the average sale price of a product across the independent bike dealer (IBD) channel and compare with my results. I know what my overall market share is for a product range and I can then look at how each brand performs. With real data I can confidently go to my bankers and prove with confidence that although retail lending is a dirty word, my industry is doing well.

Action Watch (and their retail audit) make it much easier to prepare for sell-in meetings with the brands

We are committed to builiding great relationships with specialty retailers. ActionWatch is a vital part of that process.

We have benefitted from ActionWatch’s substantial insights for many, many years

ActionWatch (SMS’ Surf and Skate Retail Audit) is one of SIMA’s most valuable partners. They are passionate about our industry and have continually evolved to benefit our members.

Access to regular sell through data has given us a much better understanding of product trends  in the bicycle market. Our forecasting & budget planning process is significantly more robust as a result.

End consumer purchase data is majorly important for Raleigh UK & its ability to understand how the consumers are acting. In a multi route to market industry, these insights are fundamental to our business decision making and as such are used by multiple areas of our business. SMS’s approach has been professional and inclusive and ensures that the results are robust and reliable.”

When it comes to a deep understanding of actual consumer buying behaviour, live EPOS data anonymously streamed to a central point and curated by professional data handlers and market researchers is delivering stunning clarity and insight. It’s night and day – like going from navigation by compass, to using a GPS

I joined the Golf Foundation in February 2018 and Stephen was always so supportive of me and my role. He was always sending through ideas, suggestions, introductions and was such a sharp mind – I always breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t ask a question after I had delivered my fundraising report at Board! His passion for golf and young people was great and evident in all that he did to support our charity. He was held in such respect but was so easy to approach, interesting to talk to and will be sorely missed.