Loretta Cole Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, Nc

Ballard Designs is an omnichannel company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The company sells home furnishing and decor products.Generated a 10% increase in sales revenue in 2023 over the previous year by implementing strategic sales plans and monitoring market trends.Highest increase to sales plan year to date in the company's retail division.Increased the store's conversion rate by 65% year over year through excellent guest engagement and by creating innovative visual merchandising displays and store layouts. Grew KPI of guest data capture by 50% over a 12-month period through team member coaching, resulting in increased marketing and outreach to guests. Improved the number of Private Label Credit Cards opened by 900% through team member training and accountability. Decreased inventory shrink by 45% from 2023 to 2024 through operational efficiency, organized product flow, and stockroom maintenance. Developed and implemented successful team incentive programs to motivate employees and drive sales. Boosted in-home design services by 300% through team training, individual goal setting, and promotion of design services. Increased employee retention by mentoring new hires during their onboarding process, ensuring they are well-equipped to excel in their positions from day one. Prioritized coaching team members in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing guest service ratings. Developed and implemented successful team incentive programs to motivate employees and drive sales. Hosted monthly industry trade events to generate more business and brand exposure.

Concord, North Carolina

pOpshelf is a retail division of Dollar General which started in 2020. It sells various home and lifestyle categories.Established a new store location, exceeded the initial sales plan for the store by 45% and grew it to the highest sales volume store in the pOpshelf chainRecruited and hired talent for current store and for 6 regional stores. Developed bench leadership for current store, district, and chain. Trained new Store Managers throughout the region in all aspects of store operations, customer engagement, team coaching and development, merchandising, freight processing, inventory management, and product ordering. Collaborated with other Store Managers to share best practices to improve overall store performance.Managed payroll expense by adapting quickly to changing business conditions--cutting payroll costs by adjusting staffing levels or altering operational priorities as needed to maintain productivity levels.Evaluated the effectiveness of existing training methods by making necessary adjustments to optimize results. Supported District Manager with projects related to store operations and people development to increase the efficiency and performance throughout the region. Represented the brand well by implementing high visual merchandising standards, creative displays, and effective store cleanliness and maintenance.

Charlotte, Nc

The Container Store is an omnichannel retail company headquartered in Coppell, TX. The company sells store and organization products including custom closets and custom space solutions. Increased Custom Closets business by 10% year over year by direct customer engagement, solution-based selling, and custom closet and shelving design.Boosted KIP Average Ticket by increasing the team's customer engagement and selling behaviors. Prepared the team for annual Custom Closets Sale by conducting store meetings, on-on-one training sessions, and daily business support. Implemented company initiatives and directives, ensuring successful execution.Engaged with employees on the salesfloor through observation, conversation, and coaching as well as modeling proper selling and merchandising techniques with customers.Led, coached, trained, and managed the team by managing behavior, action, and performance through proper communication and follow-up. Upgraded and increased online order processing productivity during the Pandemic by redesigned process procedure to better support the team and keep the business operating. Cut inventory losses by 5% through monitoring and maintaining inventory best practices.Skills: Sales Management · Cross-functional Team Leadership · Closet Design · Interior Design · Customer Service

San Francisco Bay Area

Led the 2nd highest sales volume market ($55M) in the company for 14 years--the Northern California market consisting of six stores in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento.Opened 3 of 6 stores --San Jose, Palo Alto, and Sacramento during my tenure. Grew the market's Custom Closets business with year over year increases through team focus and training, community outreach, and in-store events. Fostered relationships with local organizers to utilize our products for their clients' organizing projects. Thus, increasing sales by 20% annually and establishing a robust network of clients. Decreased turnover and built bench strength through active involvement in recruiting and hiring, working with each store management team to identify needs, set hiring goals, plan for seasonal needs and balance the skills and experience needed in each store.Increased average ticket per transaction year over year by 25% through team training of selling techniques and product knowledge. Managed payroll percent to sales effectively through consistent partnership with each store's management team. Boosted market communication, collaboration, and partnership by conducting weekly conference calls and quarterly in-person market meetings. Decreased inventory shrink and operating expenses annually by ensuring the market was adhering to operational excellence and compliance.Maximized sales through adherence to visual merchandising standards--promoting company brand well at all six stores.