Our retail analysts

Ken Bankson

From store owner to trusted advisor, helping retailers build lasting, profitable growth.

60

Years Hands-On
Experience

Industries Served

College Bookstores Pro Sports Menswear Womenswear Footwear Sporting Goods

POS Experience

NetSuite Counterpoint Retail Pro MBS Prism

Background

With more than 35 years of experience in retail consulting, Ken brings a unique combination of hands-on retail ownership, executive management, and strategic consulting expertise. He began as a retail store owner, gaining firsthand experience in the day-to-day challenges of operating and growing a successful business, then served as General Manager of retail stores.

Building on that foundation, Ken became President of two retail consulting companies, working with retail businesses to improve performance, strengthen operations, and increase profitability — drawing on both his experience as an operator and his perspective as a consultant.

"Honesty, support, and specific steps to move your business forward."

— Ken
We began working with The Bankson Group in 2008 to address challenges with aged inventory and optimize our retail operations. Our ongoing collaboration with M1-TBG has been a game changer, not only strengthening our financial health but also enabling us to reinvest in the university and deliver stronger performance reporting to administrators.
— Rita Phillips — Iowa State University
After signing on with M1-The Bankson Group, we are now operating at appropriate inventory levels, making calculated markdowns where necessary and monitoring our margins more closely than ever.
— Kevin Phelps — Wisconsin University Bookstore

THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP

What can I expect from Ken?

Open books from the start

Ken asks for transparency about where your business really is — not because he's judging, but because he can't help you get somewhere new without knowing where you actually are.

Your monthly deep-dive analysis

Every month, he reviews your data through Retail ORBIT, builds your merchandise plan, and cuts through the noise to surface what matters. No data paralysis — concise goals, clear direction.

One session. Action items you can use.

Your monthly meeting covers the plan, the numbers that matter, and a concrete to-do list. In six months, most clients understand their business fundamentally differently.

Let's Chat

No pitch, no obligation.

Just an honest conversation about where your business is today and what's possible when you have the right data and someone who actually cares about your success.

Start the Conversation