Plan + Pivot Collective is a retail consulting firm founded by Julie McCarter and Carolyn MacBain-Waldo.
After decades of leading merchandising, planning, and strategy at iconic retailers, we now help founders and growth-stage consumer brands unlock clarity, confidence, and results through consulting services.
We think like insiders, act as your external consultants, and deliver fresh perspective that drives growth.
About Carolyn
Carolyn MacBain-Waldo is a retail consultant with 23+ years in merchandise planning, pricing, and inventory strategy for brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, J.Crew, Gap Inc., and Jonathan Adler.
She specializes in turning complex data into clarity, building financial models, and scaling teams for sustainable growth. As a consultant, Carolyn helps founders and retail leaders protect margins, optimize inventory, and make smarter, data-backed decisions.
About Julie
Julie McCarter is a retail consultant with 25+ years of executive experience in merchandising, product strategy, and P&L leadership at Bath & Body Works, Restoration Hardware, and Club Monaco. Known for her sharp instincts and creative energy, she has scaled multibillion-dollar categories, launched hundreds of products, and built high-performing teams.
Today, Julie partners with founders and consumer brands as a consultant to strengthen assortments, sharpen strategy, and build customer experiences that fuel growth.
We believe the best brands don’t just sell products.
They tell stories, spark connections, and create extraordinary experiences. As retail consultants, we help founders align product, story, and customer experience so their brands grow with purpose.
Great retail is part art, part science.
And we’re here for both.
Our mission
At the heart of everything we do is a sharp focus on what connects product, story, and customer experience.
Our mission as a retail consulting firm is to help founders and consumer brands grow with purpose, blending merchandising expertise with strategic vision.
