’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 MD, Global Travel Retail Company
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 and grow your brand in the marketplace, GET IN TOUCH, we would love to hear from you.
We love partnering up with award-winning beauty and wellness brands, well-established companies, retailers, investors, trade bodies to bring your ideas to life. With over 60 years combined experience in building brands we know what it takes.
As a beauty brand consultancy, we support you in taking your business to the next level through strategy, brand management, product development. Introducing our 3 C’s – we draw upon years of Clarity, Creativity, Commerciality to deliver your results. We design brand identities and visual elements, create products, develop go-to-market strategies to help you to engage with your ideal customers. 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.
We work with clients based in different corners of the world – from the UK, to Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, the Middle East and across Europe. 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.
‘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.’
‘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.’
‘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.’
‘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.’
‘Absolutely fantastic course. Condensed learning from Janet, an expert in developing beauty brands. Also, valuable introductions to expert professionals, in the Masterclass sessions. In 12 weeks, you will learn from Janet, what would take years to learn by yourself. A very worthwhile investment’