Karl Busche Email & Phone Number

Buena Park, California

As the Merchandise Manager for America's First Theme Park, my goals are the same for all retailers. Engage the customer with a merchandise assortment that entertains, inspires, and evokes an emotional response, then close the sale. For 2021, we had to do the same for the web.Sounds like a plan except for the reality that "the easy days for brick and mortar retailing are over." Well-Nobody said it would be easy, but it will be interesting. To do this, I will be pulling out every trick in the book and probably have to invent a few more. Recently I have done just that and can prove it.

Open

WHAT DO I SEE WHEN I LOOK AT YOUR LINE or ITEM? Do I see my next hot item or my next markdown? BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT, A BUYER IS THINKING.I know what is going on in a buyer’s brain because I have been one for over 30 years.Buyers are tough. Buyers are busy. Buyers don’t care.If you wanted to get your line into my stores-you had to get past me. When you did-you better be ready to dazzle. This is where your first and usually your last mistake is made. Because I was already gone. I know “what you need to know” to stop a buyer, keep their attention and to sell them.In 2015, I wrote the book on how to get and keep customer’s attention in today’s marketplace.Today-I work with manufacturers and retailers to refine their branding, product, and approach from a buyer’s point of view. Working together we are going to create unique items, assortments, sales pitches and merchandise statements that your customers cannot find anywhere else. What differentiates you from everyone else is the key.I am going to make you the “go-to” vendor versus the “get away” from me one.My solution based method from a buyer’s point of view focuses on you and where you have the most concerns and issues. We can look at one item or issue or your entire organization.What I can do for you:For Manufacturers:Item evaluationCatalog evaluationGaps in assortmentProduct DevelopmentImportsSpeed to MarketCompetition evaluationLicensingBuyer motivationSelling up techniquesSales call evaluationsPresenting custom merchandise options Tradeshow set up evaluationEmployee approachCostSRPMarketplace: RegionalityFor Retailers:Product evaluationGAPs in assortmentEvaluate competitionCreating custom merchandiseLicencingProduct sourcingCreating BundlesMarketplace: RegionalityTradeshowsMy knowledge base is broad, my insights are solution based, and I tell it like it is.Please contact at karlbusche@outlook.com

San Diego, California

Event Network operates stores on behalf of cultural attractions worldwide. Think of them as the exit through the gift shop people. Their partnerships are with art, science, natural history, children’s and cultural museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, iconic landmarks, historic sites, and exhibitions. Having started with EN when they had 13 partnerships which has grown to over 100 locations worldwide was truly a unique experience.• Grew the custom product department from a $200K department to a $26.8 million business while decreasing COGs from 36.7% to 18.6%. • Built a flexible vendor base that could not only fulfill the merchandise needs of our largest locations but our smallest ones as well ensuring that custom product flowed to our diverse chain of stores in a timely manner. • Created unique merchandise assortments based not only on the attraction but the customer demographic. Working in collaboration with the partner identified key elements and themes that would not only resonate with their customer but reflect the unique elements of the location. • Sourced both internationally and domestically for vendors to create unique iconic items. • Worked directly with the movie studios to develop their store exhibition merchandise for Harry Potter (Warner Bros.), Narnia (Disney), Anchorman (Paramount) and most recently The Hunger Games (Lionsgate) traveling exhibitions. In addition created custom product assortments for exhibits such as Titanic, Spy the Exhibit, Beyond Rubik’s Cube, The Art of the Brick, ANCHORMAN and more. • Managed inventory, OTB, SKU count and the item product life cycle for the department. Participated in meetings and presentations to solidify our partner relationships as well as present new merchandise concepts. • Negotiated, reviewed and revised the royalty contracts for Event Network’s wide range of photographers, artists, and licensors. • Managed segments of the ancillary business including the special event vendors.

St. Petersburg, Fl

Buyer for America’s first television shopping channel for Electronic Gifts, Toys, Optics, and Telephones. • Sourced new brands and items in order to build and create product selections that develop HSN exclusive product assortment taking in account how the item will be viewed by the HSN customer in terms of pricing, presentation and promotion.• Worked with new vendors on the HSN process which included an item’s product life cycle and sales expectations as it relates to the electronic retail business. • Negotiated with vendors for competitive pricing, promotions and other terms. • Launched Cindy Smart from the Manley Toy Company-the world’s first doll that could see and read.

Orlando, Florida Area

Theme park buyer and product developer for Toys, Plush, Novelty Candy Hardlines and Games with an annual volume of over $25 million for Universal Studios Worldwide. • Part of the buying team for the opening of Universal’s new theme park “Islands of Adventure” in Florida. • Utilized adaptive development techniques to streamline the production process, minimizing MOQ’s and development costs for all Universal’s parks in California and Florida. • Restructured the merchandise assortment plan for the area resulting in $3.2 million of new business for 1999. Improved overall sales by 5.6% in the first year and 7.4% in the second. • Instrumental in bringing in vendor sponsored events and merchandise launches to Universal’s parks. These events did not only increase incremental sales but also enhanced the customer experience while at Universal. • Initiated the worldwide product launch of Furby. Successfully pitched Tiger Electronics and Universal’s management on the concept that theme parks offer a unique neutral location for product launches versus the traditional toy retailer. Universal Studios launched Furby one day before its national release resulting in $300K of incremental sales and nationwide media attention for both the Hollywood and Orlando parks.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Retail department store buyer responsible for Trim a Home, Gourmet food, Cards and Wrap and Tourist areas with an annual volume of $20 million in 83 stores. • Appointed merchandise coordinator to turnaround the seasonal gift outposts by developing a unique merchandise mix within each product category. The key component of the program was the expansion of the company’s private label program that incorporate branded items with unique packaging and gift sets. • Revitalized and restructured the Gourmet Food area which resulted in $6.8 million of new business for 1994 and $10.9 million for 1995. • Directed the relaunch of the “Jingle Bear” private label plush program that generated $4.3 million in PWP sales. Transition: The Broadway filed for bankruptcy and was sold to the Federated Department Stores.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Western regional buyer for the then 200 store chain specializing in General, Trend and Novelty Gift, Frames, Souvenir and Gourmet Food. • Directed new product introductions, departmental expansion and the development of a merchandise mix that reflected the regional differences of our target customer with an annual volume of $15 million. • Launched the nostalgic Hershey chocolate shop that generated $2.5 million in new business in its initial season. Planned and executed the merchandise launches for the Coke a Cola, Harley Davidson and Budweiser shops with $9.8 million in first years of sales for the chain.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Buyer for Southern California’s second largest retailer with 44 locations. Responsible for Stationery, Greeting Cards and Wrap, Gourmet, Christmas and Novelty Gifts. • Managed merchandising, advertising and financials for the $8.5M area, including the development of a seasonal business plan that mapped out promotions, products and pricing for the year.• Restructured the seasonal Gourmet Food business into a diversified and distinct themes. This resulted in a 42% increase in its first year.• Improved the overall departmental ranking from 9th to 5th in the 14 division chain.