Currently I have an interest in several menswear concessions trading from factory outlets and mill shops throughout the North of England my role with these was to introduce the brand and start up concessions were opportunities exist, currently we have 8 unmanned concessions trading off approximately 500 sqft each turning a gross of approximately £300,000 per annum. I also have been doing consultancy work for retail organisations and my last assignment was for Allders (Croydon) Ltd were I reviewed a Menswear concession trading off 3000 sqft with a turnover of £500,000,with my recommendations and observations it is felt that the turnover will increase to around £1.2M. At present I am also assisting in developing a new business of self-storage that is located in Leeds.

I was responsible for the Menswear floors covering an area of 30K sqft with a yearly turnover of circa £20M, there were 60 staff under my direct control and I also oversaw 13 concession managers, also responsible for “The Mall” which is a street within the store containing café’s, takeaways and several other non food businesses generating rent in the region of £2M per annum.

Objectives
• To maximize sales to ensure company targets are met.
• Manage projects effectively
• Ensure business partners are conforming to the stores policies and procedures
• To control staff budget
• To monitor staff in relation to their key performance indicators
• To identify strengths and weaknesses of staff and assist with training
• To appraise staff and set development and or training
• To ensure a high standard of merchandise presentation
• Execute promotions efficiently and effectively
• Promote and open store privilege card
• Assist/oversee business partners to ensure best practice
• Identifying new brands and sourcing new concessions whilst also looking at other business opportunities
• Source and purchase branded accessories, socks, underwear and nightwear, formal shirts and ties
• Oversee management rotas for the sales managers and several other internal audits
• Ensure compliance with legislation in relation to the sale of alcohol
• Full P&L accountable
• Control merchandising and responsible for space allocation
• Liaise with directors and external partners


Results
• Sales currently trading above the companies expectations
• Staff retention below 15%
• Merchandise presentation regarded as one of the best in the high street
• Privilege card openings consistently highest in the store (approx 30% store total)
• Staffing levels within set budgets
• New brands and concessions arriving all the time
• Own bought producing satisfactory sales and a good margin
• Excellent working relationship with directors and external company heads

Overview
The store went through many changes from 2005 and one of my biggest challenges was steering the floor through administration, In that time my role changed immensely, I had the autonomy to purchase and negotiate certain stock categories. I also sourced new business opportunities and introduced new business partners. This has resulted in the floor exceeding all expectations in relation to sales and brands stocked.
Staff retention is at an acceptable level and several staff have either been internally promoted or taken on more senior positions with other organisations.

Responsible for two retail units, one been a convenience store covering 1500sq ft and the other an academic book store covering 500 sq ft, also responsible for negotiating a retail sector for 165 student unions throughout the UK

Objectives
§ Negotiate with suppliers and agents to purchase stock including price negotiations
§ Recruit and train staff
§ To propose and set budgets and sales forecasts
§ Explore avenues to increase our offerings and source new products
§ Develop and implement business plans
§ Develop and implement training modules
§ To oversee development of academic book shop
§ Full profit and loss responsibility
§ To negotiate terms for the paper and stationery retail business for national union of student services
Results
§ In first year increased turnover of the convenience store by 50% and 28% in the second
§ Introduced several new departments to the store
§ Raised the profile of the store significantly
§ Developed the staff into competent mainstream retailers and assisted in the union achieving investors in people
§ Introduced training modules for staff and retention of permanent staff was 100%
§ Took the convenience store to a turnover of £1.6m and the book shop to 500k
§ Realised terms with approximately 30 suppliers for the right to sell paper and stationery to around 165 student unions with business worth in excess of £20m with suppliers for paper and stationery
Overview
The convenience store went through a major refit just after my appointment, the budgets were set for a 20% increase in the first year and we exceeded this considerable. Due to this success I was offered a position with the purchase and promotions committee of national union of students along side my retail managers position. This was for a fixed term of one year and I successfully negotiated all the paper and stationery prices for 165 student unions throughout the United Kingdom. This business was worth in excess of £20M and was considered to be in the top two of negotiating areas in that industry

Responsible for ten retail shops all with full time shop managers.
Full responsibility for profit and loss.

Objectives
§ Set targets for each unit
§ Monitor shop managers to ensure that they are achieving their key performance indicators
§ Implementation and development of promotional calendar
§ Identify training and development requirements
§ Implement management training programmes
§ To ensure managers were competent mainstream retailers
§ Set and monitor merchandising standards
§ Achieve my own key performance indicators
§ To raise the profile of the charity within the community
Results
§ Before my appointment my area was failing to achieve its budgets but within the first year came in at + 20% of budget
§ The volunteer base increased on average 15% per unit
§ Due to successful trading the paid staffing levels increased on average by 35 hours per unit
§ Organised several fundraising events
§ Developed several managers into competent mainstream retailers
Overview
§ The area under my control became the number one area in the country for turnover and was in the top three for profitability. The turnover of my stores was £3M and the volunteer and stock contribution increased dramatically whilst under my control