Spotlight: Matt Gins, The Skill & Strategy of Retail Liquidation

Matt's journey began on the retail floor, working in stores and later as a buyer in a corporate office. This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of what it takes to get products to customers. That background now fuels his success at GA Group, where he helps retailers and wholesalers liquidate their inventory through store-closing sales.

"I support the liquidation of retailers' and wholesalers' inventory through store-closing sales," he explains. "When allowed, I buy additional inventory to be included in these sales, creating a better recovery on the original inventory and overall increasing revenue."

This isn't just about selling off leftover goods. Matt views buying as both an art and a science—a complex puzzle he's passionate about solving. "The company trusts me with capital to invest for each project," he says, "and planning the assortments is like putting a puzzle together to ensure we get back more than we invest."

Matt's expertise was on full display during his first major project with the Retail team at Hancock Fabrics. By tapping into his history as a buyer and analyzing results from past projects, he identified a critical need for notions—small, peggable accessories.

He used the retailer's automatic replenishment system to order over one million units of these items. "By adding these goods into the deal, customers saw full shelves, keeping them coming back for weeks, which allowed us to sell the original inventory," he says. This move not only improved the sales but also ensured a better overall experience for the customer.

The world of liquidation often faces misconceptions. As Matt points out, liquidators are often looked at as the bad guys but he's quick to correct this narrative, explaining that they're partners and not adversaries. His work helps monetize assets for creditors and the benefit extends to employees, ensuring they can continue to work while they look for their next opportunity. He adds that his team's expertise also helps healthy retailers who are looking to strategically prune their store portfolio by liquidating poor-performing locations. This allows those companies to reinvest capital in more profitable areas.

Looking to the future, Matt is excited about the rise of e-commerce-only liquidations. This new frontier presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities that he and his team are already tackling.

Matt believes in a fair and honest approach to every deal. "Being fair and honest in my dealings has led to a reputation where people want to work with me," he shares. "There are options - other companies do what we do - but at the end of the day, everyone wants to work with someone they know and trust. I am committed to being that type of partner."

Outside of work, he finds inspiration in watching his two daughters play softball and volleyball, noting that observing them learn to operate in a team setting affirms the importance of good leadership and solid planning—principles he applies to his professional life every day.