NORTH AMERICAN MARKET EXPERT:

North America is one of the most complex and dynamic markets in retail, evolving at an accelerated pace, fueled by the digital channel & social media. The market, though saturated and mature, continues to experience consistent, moderate growth AND remains one of the most coveted, yet difficult, markets to enter for both domestic and foreign brands.

Throughout Matthew’s career, the North American business has been his primary focus and priority. Matthew’s leadership & unique experience across a diverse portfolio of brands, operating in multiple channels, with varying size & scale have enabled him to become an expert in the specific market and business dynamics of North America.

This expertise has allowed Matthew to consistently deliver top & bottom line comp growth, develop & execute market expansion strategies, and partner with clients & brands to successfully enter the North American market.

EXPERTISE:

  • Experienced with legacy / developing / new brands & businesses:

    • Consumer Target: womens (contemporary, missy, junior) mens & young mens, special sizes, (plus & petite), tween, kids, & baby

    • Revenue Channels: direct-to-consumer, digitally native, fast fashion, wholesale, and MLM

      • DTC: specialty, outlet, e-comm

      • WHOLESALE: luxury, department store, MBSS, boutiques, DNB/pureplay , military, off-price, clubs

      • DIGITAL: B2B, B2C, e-commerce, social platforms

  • Maintains a comprehensive understanding of key market factors:

    • regional & socio-economic biases that impact and drive business & operational performance

    • geographical business & product assortment strategies / initiatives, based on key factors, i.e. weather, consumer demo, market size & volume

    • market & regional competitive landscape, i.e. regional winners / losers

    • market & regional impact on seasonality and key traffic periods i.e. store traffic and business peaks in back-to-school early vs. late market

  • Maximizes unique regional and market opportunties:

    • develops product assortments to address key retailer and market specific needs, i.e. exclusive & diffusion lines

    • develops and executes retailer & product-specific assortment clusters to maximize productivity, sell-thru, and profitability

    • develops & executes business and product seasonal strategies, by region,

    • to inform product flow & marketing calendar to maximize brand potential

    • successfully launched new brands, consumer segments, and product categories

    • led retailer expansion efforts in consumer and product assortments across the market

    • collaborated with licensors & talent management to deliver relevant product for retailers in key market areas

    • evaluates market and retailer/brand positioning, identifies key competitors’ strengths & weaknesses; advises risks & opportunities short, mid, & long term

    • evaluates historical & current price and promotional strategies; advises risks & opportunities short, mid, & long term

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NORTH AMERICAN BRAND FOCUS:

EXECUTED BUSINESS TURNAROUND, PRODUCT EXPANSION: CANADA

  • developed & initiated go forward brand vision & strategy within first 45 days

  • drove +25ppt trend delivering Dynamite’s historical best financial performance

  • NEW sculpt’d, R.S.V.P., LUXE LOUNGE, and ESSENTIALS launch

  • expanded online product assortment

CONSUMER & PRODUCT EXPANSION: UNITED STATES

  • Men’s launch (Y1: $100M)

  • NovaSport launch

  • Curve: doubled penetration

  • Accessories: added new categories

  • NovaBeauty: developed NEW category

NEW BRAND LAUNCH: UNITED STATES

  • brand Co-creator; developed original Brand Book

  • define competitive landscape, brand positioning, consumer target, and distribution strategy

  • oversaw all creative direction,

  • develop product line architecture and pricing/promotional strategy

  • provided creative direction for website layout/wireframe & user experience, informed by industry & consumer insight

ACCELERATE GROWTH, CONSUMER & PRODUCT EXPANSION: USA & CANADA

  • wholesale brand expansion: Rebuilt and cultivated retailer relationships with existing and new account base, while adding 550+ quality doors

  • outlet 20 door expansion

  • expanded online exclusive assortment: increased e-commerce to 25% of DTC

  • Lucky Plus launch (Y1 $45M) and

  • LuckyHome launch

  • Accessories: expanded assortment with license partners

B2B INTERNATIONAL INTRODUCTION TO NORTH AMERICAN MARKET: USA & CANADA

  • retained to re-strategize and re-develop the North American market strategy for Zilingo, the $1.7B valued Singapore start-up.

  • restructured infrastructure to align with revenue targets; established & staffed bi-coastal teams

  • led business development & management of client relations, including: brand concept, product design, development, manufacturing

  • clients: Rachel Zoe, Who What Wear, Fabfitfun, Culture Kings, Missguided

CONSUMER & PRODUCT EXPANSION: USA

  • Women’s: accelerate growth & product expansion

  • recruited and hired Head of Women’s, a newly created role

PRODUCT EXPANSION: UNITED STATES

  • apparel launch

  • developed wholesale strategy for both brands; met with 2 key retailer partners

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