Is your retail strategy ready for 2027?

August 10, 2026

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David Murch, Business Development Consultant at Foremost Golf, shares how planning earlier and making data-led buying decisions can strengthen retail performance.

By this stage of the season, many clubs are already starting to think about next year. Supplier conversations are getting underway and the decisions made over the coming months will influence retail performance well into 2027.

From working with professional teams across the country, one thing is consistent. The businesses that tend to perform most successfully are planning earlier and making buying decisions with greater confidence.

Let data guide you

Buying should never rely on guesswork alone.

Your retail data provides a clear picture of how your shop has actually performed. It shows which categories generated the strongest returns, which brands delivered the best results, where margins were high and where stock is moving slow.

Reviewing that information before placing orders removes much of the uncertainty from the buying process. Rather than trying to remember what sold well, the evidence is available to support every decision.

More than 360 Foremost Golf members now use Foremost POS to provide this level of insight, helping them review sales performance, stock levels and margins through reports. Our team is always on hand to run free, in-depth business performance analysis meetings, turning raw data into a clear, buying strategy for the season ahead.

Focus on margin, not just sales

We occasionally see shops producing healthy sales while quietly sacrificing profitability through unnecessary discounting or carrying too much stock.

A balanced buying plan helps avoid those situations. Popular, low margin products will always play an important role, but they should sit alongside products that offer stronger margin opportunities.

Group-exclusive lines such as FootJoy Originals and Under Armour Drive Glide allow professionals to offer recognised brands at a high margin without being undercut on price by online and high street retailers.

Connect buying with marketing

The strongest retail plans always go hand in hand with marketing activity.

Buying decisions should support the professional team’s marketing calendar, fitting events, coaching and wider member engagement throughout the year. When stock arrives alongside planned campaigns, product launches and promotions, sell-through becomes far more effective.

Foremost’s EMP marketing-supported brochure has been developed with exactly this in mind. Products are supported by coordinated digital marketing and in-store promotion, helping professional teams save time while maintaining consistent visibility throughout the season.

Make sure everyone understands the plan

It is vital that every member of the professional team understands which products are being purchased, where the strongest margin opportunities sit, along with the key features and benefits of those products to help with sell-through.

When everyone is working towards the same objectives, customers receive a more consistent experience and retail performance becomes far more predictable.

Plan with confidence

A strong buying plan should set every professional shop up for success. When it’s built on reliable data, aligned to margin and backed by effective marketing, it gives every member of the team the confidence to deliver consistent performance.