Jayvi Mar Donato

• Led the transformation and strategic growth of Carina International Store from a neighborhood convenience store into a premium Asian specialty brand catering to multicultural communities in Kuwait.

• Rebuilt the brand into a premium Asian market with curated selections from Korea, Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines.

• Developed full-scale retail and operations strategies to reposition Carina for high-end multicultural grocery consumers competing with Trolley, Hi & Buy, Canteen, and Sultan Express.

• Oversaw complete project execution for store design, licensing (Baladiya), store opening, and compliance with retail and municipal laws.

• Built a reliable supply chain for authentic Asian grocery products, ensuring competitive pricing and consistent availability.

• Established customer-focused store standards, SOPs, and service protocols to align with premium branding.

• Recruited and developed a high-performing multicultural team, trained in retail execution and customer engagement.

• Executed localized marketing strategies on social media and community platforms to increase visibility and build loyalty.

• Led feasibility research and planning for expansion into Kuwait City, Jabriya, and Farwaniya, aligning brand scalability with operational readiness.

Achievements:

• Transformed Carina into a premium Asian specialty store, resulting in a 80% uplift in brand perception among multicultural customers, as measured by positive feedback, repeat visits, and local community engagement.

• Successfully launched and operationalized the flagship store in Salmiya, completing the full store development cycle within 45 days and staying within 95% of projected budget while achieving 100% compliance with Kuwait Law (Baladiya and Shoun requirements).

• Built a diversified and culturally rich product portfolio, increasing SKUs from 180 to 420+, covering high-demand imports such
as:
✓ Korean noodles, frozen products, drinks, ice cream (40% of total sales)
✓ Filipino noodles, canned goods and snacks (15% of sales)
✓ Thai sauces and ingredients (10% of sales)
✓ Japanese beverages (10% of sales)
✓ Local products (15% of sales)

• Strengthened brand visibility through 3X increase in Instagram reach (from 100 to 300 followers in 50 days). WhatsApp customer list grew to 300 (organic) + repeat buyers.

• Achieved and sustained daily sales of KWD 100-150.

• Recruited, trained, and retained a 100% compliant and service-focused team. 90% customer satisfaction rate, based on informal WhatsApp and repeat visits.

• Standardized operations by implementing SOPs across inventory, merchandising, and customer service — improving shelf restock speed by 30% and customer visit by 40%.

• Ongoing B2B and bulk order partnerships.

• Finalized an expansion blueprint targeting 3 high-traffic districts (Kuwait City, Jabriya, Farwaniya) — supported by:
✓ Location footfall analysis
✓ Store P&L simulation models
✓ Early leasing inquiries and supplier scalability review

• Grew Carina’s direct-to-customer (DTC) digital footprint, driving engagement and repeat orders through:
✓ WhatsApp direct messaging, that drives delivery orders and customer visits.
✓ Regular Instagram product stories with 100-150 views per reels.
✓ 100+ direct customer interactions weekly via digital channels.

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance brand recognition and loyalty. Lead promotional campaigns and create marketing materials. Analyze market trends and identify growth opportunities.

• Manage website and e-commerce platform to optimize conversions. Analyze traffic, sales performance, and develop strategies to boost online sales.

• Oversee stock ordering, receiving, and distribution of stocks. Manage inventory to prevent stockouts and ensure product availability.
• Implement policies to improve operational efficiency. Monitor performance and coordinate across departments to meet goals.

• Manage B2B and e-commerce accounts. Build relationships, expand distribution, and address client needs. Drive sales growth and manage key B2B partnerships.

• Plan and execute marketing campaigns, monitor effectiveness, and adjust strategies.

• Lead and mentor teams in marketing, e-commerce, and supply chain. Set performance goals and foster a collaborative environment.

Achievements:

• Enhanced the foundational strengths of Skindollize by aligning operational efficiency with the company's core values, ensuring a customer-focused and value-driven approach.

• Successfully led the recruitment of key staff and marketing personnel to strengthen the operational backbone, ensuring that each new hire supports the company's strategic goals.

• Developed comprehensive training programs based on The Face Shops skincare processes, educating the team on product benefits, usage, and the advantages of the skincare line to drive customer satisfaction and sales growth.

• Designed and implemented a review/appraisal system that not only tracks performance outcomes but also emphasizes day-to day adherence to company values, fostering a positive work culture.

• Led the successful opening of two new retail locations (The Face Shop Souq Sharq and Jahra Mall), increasing the total number of stores from six to eight, effectively expanding the companys market presence and revenue potential.

• Developed and executed digital and social media marketing strategies that significantly boosted brand visibility and customer footfall in all stores. Initiated targeted campaigns to drive both in-store and online sales.

• Engaged influencers to craft the right marketing messages for the brand, leveraging their reach to enhance product awareness and boost credibility among a wider audience.

• Secured business-to-business partnerships, resulting in significant purchase orders, driving additional revenue streams and solidifying relationships with key clients: Hi & Buy, T-Mart, Monoprix, Circle, Belle Amour, La Plus Belle, and Yamama.

• Managed comprehensive sales operations strategy, ensuring seamless execution of display standards, stock ordering processes, & sales initiatives for both retail stores & local distribution units. Managing 2 stores in Marina Mall & The Avenues Mall Kuwait with total of 84 staffs.

• Conducted hiring, monitored people development, & training.

• Cultivated strong relationships with both business-to-customer (B2C) & business-to-business clients (B2B), fostering long-term loyalty & repeat business.

• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams including home styling, after sales service, stock controllers, & finance to align sales strategies with overall business objectives & market trends.

Achievements:
• Developed the business-to-business initiative known as corporate accounts that contributed to 20% of yearly sales.

• Revamped inventory management processes by implementing automated stock replenishment systems, resulting to 14% reduction in stock holding costs while simultaneously ensuring consistent availability of key products, thus enhancing customer satisfaction, increasing purchases, & driving sales growth.

• Leveraged data analysis & business intelligence tools such daily data gathering to analyze sales performance, focus on key performance indicators (KPIs), & to determine product promotion strategies. By making data-driven decisions, we were able to identify growth opportunities by 5%, optimize selling strategies, & improve overall sales effectiveness.

• Executed innovative loyalty programs tailored to the shops top buyers which contributed to a 10% increase in sales within the first year of implementation 2022-2023.

• Fostered strategic partnerships with interior designers and influencers, resulting in a 10% increase in referrals from 2022-2023.

• Implemented cross-selling & upselling strategies between stores, locally & overseas, resulting in a notable increase in average transaction value (ATV) and overall sales revenue to almost 15% (2022 vs. 2021).

• Received No. 1 in the Great Place to Work award for consecutive years 2021 & 2022.

• Responsible for the operations of 6 Brands; Class Roberto Cavalli, Versace Collection, BCBG Maxazria, ABS, Milly, & Ellie Tahari. Managed 6 shop Managers & 30 staff.
• Prepared strategic plans to meet monthly & yearly sales targets.
• Visited flagship stores to analyze & observe fashion trends showcased in US, New York & Italy, Milan during each new season. Conducted direct purchasing after the runway shows, adhering to the budget allocated by the business.
• Ensured shops were properly stocked & merchandised according to brand standards.
• Trained & evaluated staff performance annually, taking corrective action promptly.
• Managed inventory (new & old) to identify items for SALE events & outlet stores.
• Created and implemented annual marketing plans, including outdoor, print, and in-store activities.

Achievements:
• Improved the territorys performance by 56% within a year through market saturation & strategic retention program.
• Successfully opened 2 high-end fashion shops (Versace Collection & BCBGMAXAZRIA), positioning these brands strong in the market through well-planned marketing advertisement.
• Developed the reporting formats and procedures to oversee shop performance, assess all areas efficiently, & devise plan with optimum results.
• Improved visual merchandising of the shops; both window & shop floor that captures customers attention thus increased window sell through by 60% & footfall by 30%.
• Implemented promotions & special projects that effectively increased stock turnover of old items simultaneously with the new releases & special products.
• Established an efficient customer tracking system that monitors new guests & their demands and thus increased our customer database by 40% within 8 months.

• Managed the operations of three shops: Coccinelle, Liu Jo, & ABS, while also assisting in the preparation of marketing & advertisement for Karen Millen brand.
• Managed the ordering & product selection processes. Prepared list of items needed for the seasonal promotions for the shops, ensuring their success each year.
• Implemented merchandising standards established by the company & brands.
• Recruited & selected high-caliber managers & staff members who are align with the company philosophy & contribute to creating a customer-focused environment across Remza Fashion Shops, including Class Roberto Cavalli, BCBGMAXAZRIA, & Scervino St.

Achievements:
• Successfully opened ABS shop & Liu Jo Shop. Positioning these shops more aggressive than competitor through intensive marketing campaign done prior to opening.
• Implemented in-house marketing to sustain the opening of the new shops & resulted in 50% sales growth for Liu Jo.
• Developed a system in preparing monthly reports & business analysis for REMZA Investment Company that was used system wide. It efficiently oversees all areas of performance that helped to create an effective action plan.
• Created joint venture on different organization (government, airlines, hotel, banks, and embassies) benefiting both sides resulting in a drastic turn around on revenue.
• Implemented intensive training to improve the performance of staff & hype up their enthusiasm to meet target that increase the no. of customer on our database & conversion rate by 20%.
• Developed, led, & sustained groups that will oversee & improved each shops merchandising & customer service that encourage innovative ideas, motivation, & excitement to team members.

• Responsible for the operations of the Coccinelle brand.
• Prepared & ordered both Spring/Summer & Autumn/Winter collections.
• Maintained the brands visual merchandising & store standards to achieve organizational consistency & promote brand image.
• Monitored & assessed staff performance, providing coaching & counseling when necessary.

Achievements:
• Opened successfully Coccinelle Bahrain with an aggressive marketing campaign that I planned, managed, & implemented.
• Capitalized on free PR & advertisement to sustain the marketing campaign initially implemented worth $10K during the first quarter 2008.
• Successfully increased Coccinelle sales by 30% within 11 months (2008) through strategic stock rotation & efficient visual merchandising display.
• Developed, trained, & promoted deserving employees who are now shop managers that encourage more staff to be inspired & produce results.