Public audit
Retail audit, or transparent control of your point of sale
An open audit is a direct, announced visit by our auditor to a point of sale. The person conducting the audit introduces themselves to the employee or owner of the point of sale and informs them of the purpose of the visit. The audit usually ends with the employee signing an evaluation form or noting any comments. An open audit provides an opportunity for on-site discussion, additional clarification of objectives, and a joint review of the company's standards that have been complied with and violated.
Agnieszka Belusiak
Group Account Director
Terrain structure
Largest in-house audit structure in Poland
We have an extensive field structure of our own, with auditors present throughout the country. This allows us to quickly reach any point of sale, both in large urban areas and in smaller towns. Without the need to use subcontractors, we ensure full quality control, greater flexibility, and shorter audit project completion times.
availability
Presence in all channels and locations
Thanks to our extensive field network, we can reach your customers wherever they are—including points of sale outside major centers and in hard-to-reach locations.
unlimited possibilities
Scale projects without limits
Thanks to our extensive network of auditors and proprietary operational solutions, we are able to carry out projects of any scope – from pilot audits of 100 locations in a selected region to 10,000 simultaneous visits across the country. We ensure consistent standards, repeatable quality, and full control over the course of activities, regardless of the size and complexity of the project.
reporting
Reports with a guarantee of reliability
We conclude each audit by preparing a detailed report that includes not only numerical data, but also supporting evidence – photos, signatures, and forms. This form of documentation gives the client complete confidence in the quality of the information collected and provides a solid basis for business decisions. The reports are available in real time through our systems, allowing for quick response and effective management of field operations.
cost reduction
Cost optimization - sharing resources across multiple projects
Thanks to intelligent route planning and carpooling between different projects, we significantly reduce logistics costs. This solution allows customers to use their budget more effectively without compromising on quality. In practice, this means lower unit costs while maintaining high frequency and quality of audits throughout the country.
timeliness
Express start of the project and assurance of on-time delivery
Thanks to efficient operational processes and our own logistics resources, we are able to complete standard audit projects in just 10 business days. We respond quickly to customer needs, ensuring full repeatability and predictability of activities – from planning and installation to real-time reporting of results.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
What are we auditing?
An effective audit is not only a verification of inventory, but above all a comprehensive assessment of the quality of service and point-of-sale displays. We check key elements that directly affect the consumer experience and the achievement of our clients' sales goals.
Compliance of exposures with contractual provisions
We verify that product exposure corresponds to contractual arrangements (e.g., brand share in a product category). This gives manufacturers confidence that their trade marketing investments are being made in accordance with the contract.
Compatibility of prices on shelves and cash register systems
We control whether the prices seen on the shelves are consistent with those registered in the checkout systems. In this way, we eliminate potential misunderstandings and build consumer confidence in the brand and the retail chain.
Quality of presentation of promotional materials
We make sure that POS materials are properly displayed, complete and visually appealing. Proper presentation increases campaign visibility and positively influences customers' purchasing decisions.
Cleanliness, orderliness and technical condition of the point
We regularly evaluate the cleanliness, organization and condition of the store's equipment. An aesthetically pleasing and well-maintained environment directly translates into shopping comfort and brand perception.
Employee behavior in line with procedures
We observe whether employees follow customer service guidelines and image standards. This ensures a consistent shopping experience and reinforces the company's professional image.
Completeness of the offer or product range
We monitor whether the shelves are properly stocked and whether key products are missing. The constant availability of the full range of products increases customer satisfaction and reduces the risk of lost sales.
our clients
We work with the largest companies in their categories
success stories
Audit of Collection Points for "Diagnostics".
How to quickly verify over a thousand medical facilities for compliance with new branding and patient comfort? In 2024, we faced this challenge while supporting Diagnostyka, the largest network of medical laboratories in Poland.
In just three weeks, we conducted a nationwide open audit covering over a thousand collection points. Thanks to our proprietary MerchMobiler application, we provided complete photographic documentation, detailed reports, and conclusions that allowed the client to quickly identify areas requiring improvement and ensure that the rebranding process was implemented as planned.
PROGRESS REQUIRING PRECISION
A proven collaborative process
01
We establish the goals and criteria for the audit
At the outset, we define what exactly we want to verify - whether it's compliance with the new branding, quality of patient service, conditions in the facility, or completeness of signage. Together with the client, we choose specific evaluation criteria that will become the basis for the report.
02
We create the form and schedule the visits
Based on this, we design an audit form to collect data in a structured manner. At the same time, we prepare a schedule of visits so that we can cover up to hundreds or thousands of locations nationwide in a short period of time with an audit.
03
Auditors introduce themselves on site and conduct the audit
An open audit means that our representatives do not act incognito - they inform the staff of the purpose of the visit, introduce themselves and openly check all criteria: the exterior and interior appearance of the facility, signage, availability of promotional materials, patient comfort or compliance with procedures.
04
We collect the point staff's observations and their confirmation of the visit
In addition to a visual and factual assessment, auditors talk to the facility's employees to gather their observations on the daily operation of the point. Each visit is confirmed - giving the client confidence that the audit took place as planned.
05
We prepare a report with detailed analysis of visit results and recommendations
All data goes into our MerchMobiler reporting system, which automatically aggregates the results and photos. We then prepare a final report - containing not only numerical data and photographic documentation, but also specific recommendations for corrective actions. This provides the client with a clear picture of the situation and ready-made guidelines for implementation.
Agnieszka Belusiak
Group Account Director
FAQs
Can I audit only one element (e.g. prices)?
Can I order recurring audits?
Are the audit results available online?
Does the audit always take place in open form?
Can I choose the evaluation criteria myself?
Does the audit have to be completed with a signature?
GOALS
What are the main goals of a store audit?
Why conduct a store audit? The main purpose of this activity is to assess its condition and efficiency of operation. It's a process that identifies both strengths and areas for improvement. A properly conducted audit provides store managers and owners with the key information they need to make strategic decisions, improve financial performance and increase customer satisfaction.
Store audits also help optimize internal processes. The analysis covers everything from inventory and supply chain management, to the organization of the retail space, to customer service allows it to detect bottlenecks and inefficient procedures that lead to wasted time and resources. For example - analyzing product turnover allows for better assortment management, and assessing merchandise placement can increase impulse sales.
An in-store audit enables transparent analysis of financial data, which is key to increasing store profitability. This includes assessing margins, operating costs, sales per square meter and return on investment (ROI) ratios. Identifying unprofitable products or categories, as well as analyzing cost drivers, allows you to make changes that have a direct impact on profits.
A point-of-sale audit also addresses the customer experience. The assessment includes aspects such as the quality of service, the cleanliness and aesthetics of the store, product availability and the overall shopping atmosphere. By identifying areas that negatively affect brand perception, corrective measures can be implemented.
BENEFITS
When is it a good idea to conduct a sales audit?
A sales audit is worth conducting in many situations - both in moments of crisis and in periods of stable growth. It is a comprehensive assessment of processes, strategy, team competencies and financial performance that allows you to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Here are examples of situations in which a point-of-sale audit is recommended:
- When financial performance is declining or you see stagnation - in such circumstances, an audit helps diagnose what is causing the problems. It could be an ineffective sales funnel, poor quality of leads, shortcomings in the competence of salespeople or improper pricing;
- When planning for business growth and scaling - a quality audit is crucial before making strategic decisions, such as entering new markets, launching a new product or increasing the sales force. It assesses whether current processes and resources are sufficient to accommodate future growth;
- In the face of market changes and competition - a merchandising audit allows you to assess how your company is doing in the new environment. The market analysis in the audit can reveal gaps in offerings, competitive advantages or areas where the company is lagging behind. This gives you the opportunity to quickly adjust your strategy, which is key to maintaining your position in the market.
A business audit is also essential before mergers, acquisitions or restructuring of the sales department. It allows an objective assessment of the team's potential and competence, as well as verification of the effectiveness of existing processes. It is also an excellent tool for building team commitment, as the audit is not seen as an inspection, but as an activity aimed at improvement and development, which in the long run has a positive impact on employee motivation.
Benefits
What are the benefits of conducting a store audit?
Like professional merchandising or sales force outsourcing, store auditing is also a solution that, when done correctly, will result in numerous benefits for your business, affecting every aspect of its operation: from financial performance to operational efficiency to customer satisfaction.
One of the key benefits of an audit is improved financial performance. An audit at a retail outlet allows for an in-depth analysis of financial data to identify low-margin products, unprofitable promotions and areas that generate unnecessary costs. Analyzing the spending structure can reveal potential savings!
The audit allows optimization of internal processes, from inventory management to logistics, and also verifies the quality of customer service, store layout, cleanliness and overall aesthetics. Identifying weak points and then eliminating them results in increased customer satisfaction, who are more likely to return to the store and recommend it to others!
In summary - the benefits of a store audit are multidimensional. That's why it's worth entrusting it to us - we have extensive experience in this area of business, and each store auditor of the Cursor agency is a professional well versed in all aspects of audits.
We also offer other services, such as inventory or distribution and handling of POS materials (POSM). This allows you to spread your wings and eliminate any weaknesses in your business.