كارن Mehta

Current Role - Brand Head Kenneth Cole India
October 2014 - Present (Mumbai, India)
Reliance Brands Ltd
Brand: Kenneth Cole
Profile: Brand/Business Head Kenneth Cole India

Job Responsibilities
• Responsible for the P&L of the Brand in India
• Heading all channels for the Brand - Retail, Department Stores & E Commerce
• Handling a team of 14 direct reportees across functions like Buying, Marketing, Operations, Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Projects & Planning
• Responsible for managing the relationship with the Principal - Kenneth Cole New York
• Achieved highest ever brand topline in Q4 of FY 15 at 63% overall growth

September 2011- October 2014 (Mumbai, India)
Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd: Apparel & Textiles Business
Madura Fashion & Lifestyle
Brand: Van Heusen
Profile: Region Head (West & East) handling 86 stores across all channels

Job Responsibilities
• Heading two regions for the brand Van Heusen & its sub brands VH Sport, V Dot & Women’s wear
• Responsible for the brand P&L in these 2 regions
• Heading all channels including retail, trade & value
• Leading a team of 5 Area Managers, 4 Area Visual Merchandisers, 1 Regional Visual Merchandiser, 2 Projects Managers, Store Managers and Front End staff. Regions include 86 stores across Trade, Retail & Value Channels
• Also responsible for expansion in the given regions across channels
• Mentoring 2 Business Management Trainees & LEAD Trainees from Aditya Birla Group
Achievements
• Achieved highest LTL in FY’13 & FY 14 across all brands within MFL portfolio in West & East
• Van Heusen over took Peter England top-line in West & East in FY 13
• Highest Mystery Shopping scores across all Regions
• 17% reduction in inventory over Previous Years thus achieving better turns
• Lowest attrition rate observed in the past 3 years
• Best Performance by any Region on New Initiatives and Customer Experience
• Achieved bottom line (CBA) budget 2 years in a row despite lower than budget performance from annualized stores
• Nominated by MFL for Economic Times Young Leader Challenge. Was one amongst 3 people nominated by MFL


April 2009 - September 2011 (Bangalore, India)
Aditya Birla Nuvo: Apparel & Textiles Business
Madura Fashion & Lifestyle
Brands: Louis Philippe, Louis Philippe Sport, Van Heusen, Vdot, Van Heusen Women’s Wear, Allen Solly, Allen Solly Women’s Wear, Peter England, People, Esprit & Collective
Profile - Head Retail Business Development - Malls. Heading expansion for all MFL brands in Malls across the country

Job Responsibilities
• Responsible for acquiring retail space according to Business Plan for all the above mentioned brands in malls across the country
• Responsible for appointing and introducing retail partners / franchisee’s
• Also Responsible for a) recovery of dead deposits, b) rent re-negotiation / closure of unviable stores

Achievements
• Highest number of stores launched in malls in the history of the company in FY 11. Received an award from the CEO for the same
• Signed over 160 stores in malls slated to launch in FY 12 & FY 13 at a Projected R/R Ratio of 14%
• 85% of all new stores were signed with a partner (franchisee) thus reducing Capex liability of the retail business translating to an improvement in ROCE
• 90% of the new stores launched in FY 10 & FY 11 over achieved / achieved projected sales numbers
• 85% of the new stores launched in FY 11 achieving a 20% CBA

June 2008 - March 2009 (Bangalore, India)
Aditya Birla Nuvo : Apparel & Textiles Business
Madura Garments Lifestyle Retail Co. Ltd.
Brand: The Collective
Profile - Retail Operations & System Implementation

• Involved in the launch of India’s first super-premium lifestyle retail concept store for men, with over 35 international apparel brands such as Versace Collection, Hugo Boss, Armani Collezioni and over 40 international accessory brands such as Church’s shoe, Momo Design watches, Kenneth Cole, Toywatch among others
Retail Operations
• Devised and implemented Standard Operating Procedures & Policies for the brand. Provided training for the same to the Store Managers
• Assessed & Appointed outsourced service partners like Housekeeping, Security &Valet Services
• Responsible for sales, stock & overall brand experience
• The Collective awarded the best new fashion concept of the year

System Implementation

• Implementation of POS and Merchandising system from Kliger-Weiss Info systems, USA (KWI) for the first time in India
• Facilitated integration of POS, Merchandising system, Warehouse Management System & SAP with automated interfaces in 90 days

June 2006 - May 2007 (Kolkata, India)
Hi-Tech Luminaires (Family Business) - OEM of Philips
• Researched and analyzed business opportunity by evaluating target segments & profitability for a product called Water Watchman (Water Level Controller)
• Conducted professional presentations to prospective clients
• Analyzed competitor pricing and formulated pricing strategies, product mix discounts and special combination values
• Effectively used direct mail and database marketing as part of product marketing mix