e5

This ten-week student consulting project invites you to help e5 analyse its cost structure and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while protecting its commercial strength and future growth. 

You will begin by creating a structured overview of the company’s main cost categories and examining how they have evolved over time. By analysing financial and operational information, you will identify the most important cost drivers and assess where current spending continues to create value. 

You will also benchmark e5 against comparable retailers using publicly available information. Based on your findings, you will formulate and quantify potential optimisation measures, distinguish between quick wins and structural improvements, and develop a prioritised roadmap for the short, medium and long term. 

e5 is a Belgian, family-owned fashion retailer founded in 1979. The company offers clothing for women and men through its boutiques across Flanders and its online store. 

Its product range combines own labels with selected international brands and focuses on quality, affordability and personal service. By continuing to invest in its stores, digital channels and wider organisation, e5 aims to respond to changing customer expectations and strengthen its position within the Belgian fashion market. 

• Create a structured overview of the main cost categories 

• Analyse how costs have evolved in relation to business development 

• Identify the most important cost drivers 

• Assess where current spending creates value 

• Benchmark the cost structure against comparable retailers 

• Identify potential efficiency improvements 

• Distinguish between quick wins and structural optimisations 

• Estimate the potential impact and feasibility of the recommendations 

• Develop a prioritised roadmap for the short, medium and long term 

• Present the findings through a professional report and final presentation 

This project gives you the opportunity to work on a real financial and operational challenge for an established Belgian retailer. You will learn how consultants transform financial information, business insights and market research into practical recommendations for management. 

You will gain experience in cost analysis, financial modelling, benchmarking and strategic decision-making. At the same time, you will explore how a company can improve efficiency without losing sight of customer experience, commercial performance and long-term growth.