’Janet has a wealth of experience across retail, buying and marketing combined with broad sector knowledge of beauty, luxury goods and fashion. She conducted a full strategic review of our cross functional business and the travel retail market to develop a comprehensive buying strategy and quality control process that was presented and signed off at board level. Very approachable, strategic and analytical Janet is enthusiastic and dedicated in everything she undertakes and develops strong relationships across the business. I highly recommend her as an asset to any business.’
Ian Cowie, Managing Director, Scorpio Worldwide
SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS
Developed a global buying strategy for a leading travel retail company supplying duty free products into over 170 airlines based globally. This included developing a detailed critical path and bi-annual buying cycle to improve speed to market. Restructuring and rationalizing their product range to deliver a targeted customer-focused offer. Devising a quality control process for timeous delivery of products to agreed specifications. Introducing service level agreements and KPI’s to improve fulfilment, quality, and their bottom line.
THE ISSUE
Entrepreneurial travel retail company supplying beauty, gadgets, jewellery, fashion and wellbeing products into global airlines needed a formalised, global buying strategy. Airlines operate on a sale or return basis and the timings of trade shows and sales listings presented challenges with developing a defined product range tailored across a customer base. Improved communication between sales, product development and marketing was needed.
THE APPROACH
BUSINESS SYNOPSIS
Analysed global sales by market, customer, product portfolio and supplier base to gain a better understanding of the company. Meetings took place with teams across the business to review processes for product development (private label), product selection (branded products) and licensed brands. Pricing, margins, quality control and suppliers were reviewed. Marketing, customer service and sales (inflight and airports) were explored.
TARGETED CUSTOMER-FOCUSED OFFER
Sales analysis confirmed that top 20% of products and customers drove 80% of sales, typical Pareto analysis. A focused product strategy was needed that allowed flexibility to develop bespoke product ranges for VIP customers; balancing sales, stock and improving CRM. This strategy complemented the branded, private label and licensed products the company sold.
DEFINED BUYING PROCESS AND STRATEGY
Working with the buying team, it was established that products were developed year-round. A clearly defined, buying process built to support key sales periods at industry events needed to be created, supported by more stringent product reviews and improved sales forecasts.
STRUCTURED QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS
Working with the operations team, it was identified that a structured quality control process with KPI’s built in to measure and manage the supplier base needed to be developed.
INTEGRATED MARKETING STRATEGY
Marketing was sales focused, an integrated holistic marketing strategy to drive brand awareness, credibility and sales across their branded, licensed and private label products was required.
THE RESULTS
Janet developed a global buying strategy for this travel retailer with the following processes and recommendations built into the strategy. She created a clearly defined bi-annual buying cycle aligned to key sales periods at industry events; injecting newness and increasing speed to market.
She designed a structured quality control process, incorporating green seal and gold seal samples as check points; providing agility and flexibility to respond to opportunities whilst minimising disruption to the day-to-day business.
She made recommendations for them to develop and maintain a tight product range, providing them with flexibility to develop bespoke product ranges for VIP customers supported by an integrated marketing strategy with consideration for their CRM, to be validated in advance by sales forecasts.
If you would like to discuss how we can work with you to develop a new brand in the beauty industry or to extend or rebrand your business, or need help with sales and distribution, GET IN TOUCH, we would love to discuss this with you.
We love partnering up with visionary entrepreneurs, beauty brands, companies, retailers, spas and salons like you to develop and launch new brands or to reposition your existing business.
As a brand management company we draw upon strategic insights, creative thinking, commerciality and years of experience in branding, product development, retail and travel retail to help you to develop and grow your business.
We build marketing strategies, conceptualise brand identities and visual elements, create products, develop marketing, social media and PR to help you to engage with your ideal customers – whether you are selling direct-to-consumer or through bricks- and-mortar.
We work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy for your business by understanding your vision (and the marketplace) and then delving into the details to create order and structure, neatly packaged up to deliver you commercial results.
Over the years we have worked with a diverse portfolio of businesses – here’s a snapshot. If you would like to discuss your ideas with us, get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
‘Thrilled to be working with Bespoke Advantage. They have already done some great things for Hollywood Browzer Beauty in the very short time we’ve been working together. Looking forward to the future!’
‘Unless someone comes from a background in this industry, you wouldn’t know what is required. Not only do I have the support of an experienced team to help me to make things happen and to grow my brand, but I also have a great personal relationship with Janet and her team, working in this way means I have someone to turn to, to share the journey of running a business.’
‘Through Janet’s management skills, expertise and proven track record on the job she successfully managed the purchasing of our retail operations and ensured the integrity of our brands in-stores. Her enthusiasm and total dedication, delivered results in any project she was involved in.’
‘Bespoke Advantage helped us to bring our brand to life creatively and strategically. We have a clear strategy in place, with a distinctive brand message that enables us to articulate our brand to retailers and to journalists.’
‘Janet has excellent beauty market knowledge. Level headed with clear vision, direction and the ability to drive business forward, Janet led the teams through a complete product design change advising on what the key marketing messages should be, incorporating her technical knowledge and beauty expertise.’
‘Janet has a wealth of experience across retail, buying and marketing. She conducted a full strategic review of our cross functional business and the travel retail market to develop a comprehensive buying and quality control strategy that was signed off at board level. I highly recommend her as an asset to any business.’
‘Janet is extremely professional, knowledgeable and thorough, an expert of her field. This shone through from our first conversation, which instinctively led me to want to work with Bespoke Advantage. As a new skincare brand the expertise of Bespoke Advantage has been invaluable.’
‘Janet, absolutely fantastic to meet you today. Thoroughly enjoyed The Beauty Workshop. You definitely excel in your area and beyond.’
‘Many thanks again for all the help, support and words of encouragement, as I said before, best and most sensible thing I’ve done in developing my beauty ideas is to engage with you!’
‘It’s been inspirational working with Janet. We are in the process of launching a skincare brand however have received conflicting opinions from so many people we were really confused. I am so impressed by Janet’s knowledge and experience in product development, marketing and retail and the way she explains everything so clearly. She is very motivating and positive, and so much fun to work with. I have much more clarity and confidence in how to move things forward.’