Category Buying and Merchandising
Sun and Sand Sports
Total years of experience :16 years, 0 Months
Managing the Accessories Division, which contributes to 10% of total SSS and DROPKICK business, operating across 75 stores in the GCC. Achieved LFL growth of 26% on topline and 38% on bottom-line in the first year. Buying and planning of prominent brands including Nike, Adidas, Puma, UA, Reebok, Vans, Converse, New Era, Crep Protect, Jason Markk and private label.
* Developing annual category strategy and budget.
* Responsible of driving GMROI and ITR.
* Building and action of the seasonal OTB and buying calendar for pre-buying, buying and post-buying activities.
* Finalizing store wise planograms to determine product display and sale strategy in stores.
* Responsible of pre-season pricing and post season markdowns for effective inventory management.
* Identifying new brands and vendors to introduce and fill gaps in the product line.
* Implementing the best launch and marketing strategy along with the marketing team
Core Merchandise planning responsibilities of the Sports(men, women, kids and equipments), Luxury Fashion and Beauty divisions, comprising of MODELLS Sporting Goods, NIKE standalone and luxury brands like ESSENTIEL, WEILL, LAUREL, CITY CHIC, DINH VAN, CARVEN, SHISEIDO SPA & PAT MCGRATH in the UAE region with a business of 197million annually. Reporting to Merchandise Planning Manager and managing an assistant planner and a merchandiser and two interns.
Presenting the pre-season ‘Open to Buy’ using merchandise analytics (WSSI, margin, sell through, forward cover.)
Finalizing Pre-books with leading brands such as Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma and Under Armour to realize range planning.
Ensuring all inventory targets are met including stock turnover and terminal stock.
Collating stock and sales figures of points of sale and preparing weekly, monthly and ad-hoc reports to review business performance
Identifying obsolete/slow moving stock and approving promotional and clearance strategy and associated margin impact to ensure stock is liquidated as per retail/brand SOP guidelines.
Providing sanctions on seasonal pricing and markdown strategy.
Working closely with marketing department to determine marketing plan in line with business strategy.
Collaborating on store layout plans with the VM and Operations teams based on sales forecast and densities and allocating areas to categories to ensure category sales objectives business plans are achieved.
Effectively managing an Assistant Planner and Merchandiser to ensure timely, accurate and robust information is delivered.
Core Merchandise planning responsibilities for Women's Footwear and Accessories categories in the UAE region with a business totalling 130m AED for Shoe Mart. Contributing 33% to total business attaining a full price margin of 63%. Reporting to Merchandising Manager with responsibilities including allocation and merchandise planning for 37 retail stores across UAE. Managing a merchandiser and an inventory controller.
Producing and presenting initial allocation plans based on store budgets.
Controlling stock levels based on forecasts for the season.
Analyzing weekly every aspect of bestsellers and ensuring that bestsellers reach their full potential.
Monitoring weekly slow sellers and taking action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary.
Managing consolidations to ensure stock is in the right place at the right time.
Analyzing previous season's sales and reporting on the current season's lines.
Analyzing product, sales and sizing and providing feedback to buyers and planners for future buys and re-orders.
Making financial presentations to senior managers based on seasonal or event analysis.
Analyzing sales and deciding Markups and markdowns.
Liaising with buyers, stores, warehouse and operations.
Principal buying and merchandising responsibilities of the women's wear brand ONLY with an annual business turnover of Rs. 500M, achieving YTD L2L growth of 42% in 2012 with a GM of 62%. Reporting to Brand Manager, responsibilities included buying and merchandising of women’s casual wear for 21 stores and 15 SIS partners across India.
Translating information on market and store trends to actual requirements in products during buying.
Knowledge of the product trends, historical data and departments input at the category level to manage assortments opportunities and risks
Planning programs and co-ordination of product lines sourced locally.
Executing initial allocation & replenishment and stock transfers of all product needs by stores pan India
Analyzing trends, store performance and consumer profiles to make appropriate modifications to store-level unit allocations, all with the goal of optimizing sales and gross margin.
Collaborating Stock Management and recommend adjustments (markdowns, delivery changes and quantity changes) to the plan to maximize sales, profits, to protect the brand.
Initiating promotions and financial markdown.
Planning for end of season sales
Analyzing and summarizing weekly sales data and deciding on appropriate actions to be taken.
Analyzing product sell through
Coordinating with in shop team regarding deliveries and stock rotation.
Managing merchandise for new openings.
Presenting seasonal product information (inspirations and facts) to field.
Principal product design and development responsibilities of the brand PARX. Reporting to Deputy General Manager, responsibilities included design and development of men’s formal, evening and casual wear from sampling to pre-production
Online course
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Online Course