rowan pienaar

Closely involved with the opening of the new Hamad International Airport and expansion projects including
operational aspects and product presentation.
• Sourcing, procurement and storage of Visual Merchandising props for new store openings with local and international suppliers.
• Overseeing 31 stores in the airport including FMCG and Luxury brands highlighting promotions, ordering of marketing materials, seasonal in-store merchandising updates, window updates, sending VM reports post launches, store openings and best practices for brands such as Loro Piana, Hugo Boss, Hermes, Tiffany, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Bally, Harrods.
• Working with International VMs and boutique managers on stock availability, new arrivals and high lighting best sellers to ensure correct timeous launches are met under the given timelines.
• Collaborating with the Marketing Team to ensure that all calendar and promotional events are implemented, including the ordering and follow up of marketing materials and the installation of pop-up stores.
• Setting up visual merchandising packs and conducting training sessions for teams across all departments.
• Interviewing and recruiting new VM Team members to support and ensure that exceptional VM standards are implemented and maintained, including conducting their annual performance reviews, setting objectives, training and KPIs.

9 months
DUBAI
United Arab Emirates

•Managing the National VM Team to deliver exceptional Visual Merchandising Standards with in all the stores across the UAE.
•Working along the International Concept Team setting up seasonal guidelines based on trends of the buyer’s catalogues.
•The Setting up of International Model stores for seasonal launches which included merchandising, equipment placing, profiling techniques and the post roll out to other stores with consistent execution.
•Sending reports to the international concept team of implementation of best practices.

• Directing and controlling the functions of the firms stores though out the MENA region and ensuring the maintenance of Visual Merchandising.
• Managed in store marketing decor forecast, procurement and placement, creative and artwork approval for all seasonal changes and calendar events.
• Access and utilize key business information frequently including space proportionality, best sellers, promotional activity and taking appropriate action.
• Liaising with global suppliers for new store opening equipment procurement in line with the store layout plans, categories and brand percentages with-in the Capex Budget.
• Closely coordinating with contractors for new store fit out programs and ensuring the accomplishment of work within the set time frame.
• Ordering of all seasonal window and in store elements to ensure consistency for all stores set by the principle.
• Developed and remodeled the VM training packs to cater for the local industry to implement an effective visual training strategy for VMs and Store Managers Set up and managed the yearly Visual Merchandising Budget for all stores in the MENA region.
• Conducting yearly performance discussion reviews with VM team members to set objectives and KPIS.

Developed Profit planning strategies for individual brands
incorporating various profit parameters.
• Involved in developing / designing marketing and advertising
POS through seasonal window design concepts.
• Closely involved with the designing of new in store POS /
display elements for the presentation of products helping to
differentiate the various brand signatures.

• Closely corresponded with concessions in floor layout and
display techniques.
• Designed, organized and participated in promotional events to
enhance profits and sales.
• Working with the Marketing Team to ensure that all calendar
events are implemented, including the ordering and
maintaining of Marketing materials.
• The implementation of event props throughout the airport for
calendar events.
• Ensuring exceptional VM standards were maintained with all in
house brands.