Michael Berhalter Email & Phone Number

Charlotte Metro

Charlotte, North Carolina

Buyer of unique specialty/upscale home decor, furniture, art, lighting and executive gift items.Creation of visual enticement through innovative display and presentation of ever-changing product base, leading to consistent increases in both sales and customer loyalty.Design, layout and operation of five retail locations.

Provide disciplined leadership including development of staff, clearly setting expectations and holding the team and self accountable for results.Execute customer-focused strategies, policies and programs, merchandising, planograms.Inspect departments and consult with associates daily to identify opportunities and develop and prioritize action plans with timely follow up.Execute business plan consistently across all departments and provide ongoing fact-based feedback to Store Manager and appropriate business units.Monitor and proactively address outliers in customer satisfaction, sales, profit margin, inventory, operation process, and compliance against plan or established standards including unit integrity and seasonal merchandising.

North And South Carolina

Proudly showing great lines in HOME DECOR, FURNITURE, LIGHTING,ACCESSORIES and GIFT categories in North Carolina and South Carolina.Ariki- jewelry from New ZealandArnold Larson/Ashdene- bone china baggallini- fashionable and functional bags and accessoriesBamboo Trading Company- jewelry, clothing and accessoriesBanberry Design- giftwareChadellerie- designer candlesChesapeake bay Candle Company/ Alassis- home fragranceSignature by Dearfoams- specialty footwearDefy Brands- artful hand-painted pillowsFig Design Group- Armor Wallet, Pretty Tools, flashlights.Foot Petals- designer foot cushionsGlass Eye Studio- handmade glass Global Village- glass ornaments, pumpkins and gourds, paperweightsGoldilocks Designs- greeting cardsHarvy/ Concord- gentleman’s accessoriesHaw Creek Forge- fine copper garden ornamentsHome Comfort- indoor/outdoor machine-washable rugsHagen-Renaker- ceramic animals and figuresIbis & Orchid designs- botanically inspired lights and vasesibolili- handmade furniture, lighting and accessories in natural colors and fibers.Independent Publishers GroupIngram Publisher ServicesKalencom/Hadaki- bold and colorful bagsLampe Berger- lamps and luxury fragrancesMagco- jewelryMargaret Furlong Designs- jewelryMariasch Studios- customizable textilesMosser Glass- American art glassNorthern Exposure- greeting cardsOak Patch Gifts- jewelryOhm Beads- sterling charms/ jewelryOld South Accents- furniture and lightingOliver Gal Artist Co.- striking layers of color that exudes unpretentious elegance…Picnic Plus- bags & accessoriesPoster Porters- wine & kitchen accessoriesPunch Studio- stylish paper goodsSan Diego Hat Company- hats for men and womenSummit Collection- “Tiffany” style lamps , windows, decorTin Box Co.- tinware and licensed boxes and metalwareTorre & Tagus Design- furniture and accessoriesWorkman Publishing Group- fine booksYellow Dog Design- collars, leashes, horse leads, lanyards, belts, keychains

Management:·Drive sales in part by proper staffing, leading by example, coaching for success, education and product knowledge, and by providing strong leadership and team-building skills with a focus on building strong customer relationships through superior personalized customer service.·Develop and exceed sales and operating budgets; oversee facilities maintenance.·Introduction of new product categories and opportunities for growth. ·Furnish consultation to new and existing merchants to introduce fresh and unique product and presentation techniques, leading to 9% accessory sales increase, 418% furniture sales increase and 56% increase in customer traffic. Leasing:·Coordinate and streamline leasing procedures for retail multi-merchant Design Centers across 7 doors in 4 states. ·Involved in the design and opening of three new stores over a broad market area. ·Develop monthly lease revenue forecasts. ·Consistently exceed revenue targets and maintain unprecedented long-term merchant retention with numerous sales and performance commendations. Networking to secure an ever-changing and diverse group of Designers, Artists and Business Owners to sell and expand a unique business concept to potential merchants.

-Coach and develop a team of associates to maximize customer service, sales and GP, consistently exceeding quotas. -Strong presentation and merchandising skills leading to increased sales and growth in customer loyalty.Innovative marketing strategies through store displays and resets showing a positive sales increase of 120%. -Instrumental in the introduction of new vendors, suppliers and product lines to more closely meet customer needs. -Effective inventory control through proactive ordering and shrink minimization.-Recipient of eight awards for Department of Outstanding Customer Service.

-Develop a team of associates in big-box retail setting with emphasis on outstanding and personalized customer service to build customer loyalty and referrals.-Creative thinker whose ideas, actions and merchandising ability have brought recognition throughout career for initiating productive change. -Provide additional revenue streams through the introduction of new products and vendors to meet customer demands, most of which were adopted throughout the chain of 17 stores.-Recipient of numerous sales awards for "Continuous Improvement", "Department of Excellence" and "A+ Contributor". -Worked closely with buyers and vendors through transitions and shifts in market trends to meet consumer needs for maximization of sales and GP, consistently exceeding quotas.-Achieved effective inventory control through shrink minimization and proactive ordering . -Assisted in overall management of store in conjunction with and/or in the absence of the Store Manager.

-Negotiate and oversee year-round grounds maintenance contract at 160 Niagara University campus.-Plan and design Campus renovations at Niagara University, to include design, sales and installation of new plantings and hardscapes.

-Manage inventory, facilities maintenance, staffing, payroll, training and sales across multiple retail locations.-Store planning, design, layout and merchandising of multiple stores.-Drive sales increases through innovative displays and merchandising concepts.-Buyer of specialty decor and gift merchandise for up to 8 locations. -Assist in creation of advertising and promotion materials for all divisions of the company

-Design and Sales of residential, institutional and commercial landscapes. -Recipient of numerous inter-company awards for increased sales.-Recipient of numerous industry and association awards for design innovation, presentation excellence and community service.

Associate, Landscape Design And Development/ Retail Management

3.45 GPA (4.0 scale), Dean’s List.

Associate, Business Administration

3.75 GPA (4.0 scale), Dean’s List.