Who We Are

RIT Experts is an internationally recognized consulting firm that specializes in retail technology strategies, best practice research, and sourcing the right solutions. Led by Rena Granofsky, a seasoned veteran with years of experience in retail technology and business processes, the company works in alliance with a variety of experts to develop and deliver retail technology business solutions.

We speak both retail and technology. We understand strategy and day-to-day retailing, as well as the potential for leading and innovative technologies to enhance your offer and differentiate your business. And we are passionate about helping Retail IT Departments become more actively involved in the decision making process at their retail companies.

RIT Experts is a member of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC).

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What We Believe

Today, more than ever, Retail Technology forms the base on which retailers operate, grow, and create competitive differentiation.

Today, more than ever, it is critical for Retail IT Departments to operate as equal and contributing partners in a retailer's strategic growth plans.

Today, more than ever, it is imperative for Retail IT Personnel to be prepared to step up to the challenge to be active participants in the growth and development of their organizations.

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We Think About the Future of Our Evolving Industry

Retailers don't stand still. Neither does the competitive retail technology sector.

But even more importantly, shoppers' behavior and expectations change faster now than ever before. Be it the economy, the aging of the Boomers, or the ascension of the Net Generation, consumer behavior is in a constant state of flux.

The economy has also become a major factor. As the current economic recession begins to ease, what will the New Normal be in terms of shopper behavior? Then, as the economy strengthens, what will be the Next Normal?

At RIT Experts, we continually keep our eye on the evolution of new technologies that will allow retailers to adapt and compete in rapidly changing retail environments.

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Does Retail IT Matter?

Not long ago, Rena Granofsky, now President of RIT Experts, was called upon to join a prodigious Think Tank led by the visionary IT Thought Leader, Don Tapscott. Read more...

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Core Values

At RIT Experts, we subscribe to a set of core values that guide our relationships both internally and externally, and help us to deliver optimal service to our clients:

Management Team

Rena Granofsky – President and Founder
Rena Granofsky founded RIT Experts to help retailers survive and thrive through the educated use of technology.

With over thirty years of experience in the retail technology industry, Rena has worked all sides of the four-legged stool: as a retailer, technology vendor, consultant, and research analyst. In her role as project manager at STS Systems (now Epicor, www.epicor.com), Rena optimized business processes and led system implementations for retailers of all sizes across North America. As a management consultant for Canadian Tire, a leading Canadian retailer with more than 450 stores offering automotive, sports and leisure, and home products, Rena developed IT strategic plans for the Merchandising and Advertising Departments.

For seven years, Rena led the retail technology consulting practice at J.C. Williams Group (www.jcwg.com), an internationally renowned retail consulting firm, and delivered holistic solutions to clients of all sizes across North America.

Most recently, Rena led the research into the retail sector impact, as part of the private Think Tank on IT & Competitive Advantage, spearheaded by the prodigious Thought Leader Don Tapscott of New Paradigm Learning Corporation (now nGenera, www.ngenera.com).

Stuart Silverman - Senior Consultant
Stuart Silverman has over 30 years experience working with retailers, including Wal-Mart and Giorgio Armani, and their suppliers, consultants, and software companies, to create competitive advantage through the use of new technologies.

His roles in the development, implementation, marketing, and selling of systems and solutions to retailers include Product Development of the first commercially available Warehouse Management Systems for high volume retailers, Product Management on the design and market introduction of windows-based Forecasting, Replenishment, and Warehouse Management Systems, Strategic Marketing for a startup software company with groundbreaking technology enabling collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment for large retailers and their suppliers, and Solutions Architect and Engagement Manager for a centralized merchandising project for a large grocery retail and wholesale company.

Stuart has gained industry exposure through founding and managing Innovation Alley, an exhibit at the annual Retail Systems Show, to showcase new retail technology companies and innovative solutions. Additionally, Stuart founded and published RTMilestones, an internet-based aggregation and weekly e-mail alert of press releases from retail solutions providers.

Rick Boretsky – Senior Consultant
Rick Boretsky has over 20 years experience in the retail sector. As an IT expert, Rick has led the design, development, and implementation of major retail applications covering all areas of merchandising, business intelligence, and in-store applications.

As co-founder of RIBA Retail, Rick led a team of seasoned retail consultants responsible for the system selection, implementation, conversions, and best practices for a number of leading North American retailers, including Paul Stuart, Stanley Korshak, Urban Brands, Six Flags, and others.

Rick also co-founded RIBA Store Solutions, a start-up company that designed and developed a unique customer experience application for the dressing room. Improving the shopper experience through the use of technology was the focal point of this application.

Prior to these ventures, Rick gained valuable experience as a senior development manager at NSB Group (formerly STS Systems, now Epicor, www.epicor.com) where he led the design and development team of NSB’s latest suite of core merchandising and business intelligence applications. Rick also led the customization and implementation of NSB’s retail applications at numerous retailers throughout North America, including Chico’s, Build-a-Bear, La Senza, and Barney’s.

Rick has a wealth of experience specializing in retail technologies. He has a detailed understanding of retail operations and is well positioned to gather client business requirements, identify solutions, and provide realistic and actionable guidance to retailers to achieve their goals.

Tony Carter, PMP – Senior Consultant
Tony Carter has spent most of his working life in the Retail Industry, seeing it from many aspects.

After completing university, Tony joined a UK retail company as a management trainee, and subsequently moved into buying and merchandising roles.

Using this practical retail experience as a base, Tony joined IBM, where he implemented numerous retail inventory management systems, educated new hires on retail processes and applications, and also held a two-year assignment in Paris, consulting with some of Europe’s major retailers.

After moving to Canada in the mid 1980’s, Tony gained IT management experience at Loblaw, Canada’s largest food distributor. Tony also worked with Eaton’s and Holt Renfrew where he managed highly innovative store level projects.

During this period, Tony gained valuable consulting experience, both as an independent and with the renowned consultancy firm, Deloitte & Touche. His most memorable project to date was working with Business Depot to evaluate and implement hardware and software for their first store. Another of Tony’s major retail clients was the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). Tony’s most recent project, while working for Bell Canada, has been to manage the implementation of SAP Retail.

One of Tony’s greatest strengths lies in the realm of project management. With 20 years of experience planning and managing projects, Tony has acquired expert knowledge of development methodologies and project process improvement, and has frequently acted as a mentor for up-and-coming project managers.

In 2009, Tony obtained his PMP Certification, demonstrating his experience and extensive training in the area of project management. The certification examination is based on the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), which, worldwide, is the most widely accepted standard for project management.

Tony is in his element using his retail background and project  management experience to plan or implement innovative technological solutions in a retail environment.

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Affiliates

We are acknowledged experts in retail technology, business models, and business process, and we work in partnership with experts in both retail and technology to deliver holistic solutions, across all facets of your business, for competitive advantage.

J.C. Williams Group
J.C. Williams Group is one of the largest and most thriving full service retail and retail-related consulting companies in North America. The company specializes in retail strategies, branding and marketing, merchandising, store operations, ecommerce, and research.

RIT Experts works in partnership with J.C. Williams Group to deliver holistic retail consulting services including technology. Refer to www.jcwg.com.

McMillanDoolittle, LLP
McMillanDoolittle, LLP is a Chicago-based retail consulting firm whose partners have extensive experience as both retailers and as consultants in all retail channels and segments. McMillanDoolittle partners work collaboratively with clients to create dynamic customer-driven retail strategies and new retail concepts.

RIT Experts works in partnership with McMillanDoolittle to deliver holistic retail strategies and concepts including technology. For more information, please refer to www.mcmillandoolittle.com.

Dionco Inc.
Dionco Inc., Chicago is an internationally renowned consulting and training firm specializing in retail selling skills, store operations, merchandising, retail technology, consumer trends, and store optimization strategies. Dionco Inc.’s primary focus lies within keynote speeches, seminars and workshops, and corporate and individual consulting.

RIT Experts works in partnership with Dionco Inc. to deliver holistic retail consulting services including technology and speeches, with emphasis on state-of-the-art information and insights into future trends. Refer to www.dionco.com.

Supply Chain Systems
Supply Chain Systems (SCS) is a niche consulting firm made up of experienced professionals in all facets of supply chain management and operations. For over a decade, SCS has helped its clients maximize their supply chain and operations effectiveness by using a range of tools and techniques that include identifying opportunities for improvement, analyzing complex problems, developing robust solutions, and putting solutions into action.

RIT Experts works in partnership with Supply Chain Systems to deliver holistic supply chain services. Refer to www.supplychainsystems.com.

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