Ray Stuart Email & Phone Number

Springfield, New Jersey, United States

Working with best of class companies both large and small, participate in both an advising capacity or external team member role. Services offered: Merchandising, product design and development, licensing, marketing, visual display, P&L management, store operations, human resources, recruiting, vendor selection-development & management, planning, and inventory forecasting & management. Leadership coaching & mentoring. Clients include De Beers, Swarovski, Wolf Designs, SHR, SDC, South Street… Show more Working with best of class companies both large and small, participate in both an advising capacity or external team member role. Services offered: Merchandising, product design and development, licensing, marketing, visual display, P&L management, store operations, human resources, recruiting, vendor selection-development & management, planning, and inventory forecasting & management. Leadership coaching & mentoring. Clients include De Beers, Swarovski, Wolf Designs, SHR, SDC, South Street Designs and Swatch Group AG. Show less

Union, New Jersey

Responsible for merchandising the vendor direct to consumer/online product categories/businesses and virtual store concept including strategy, buying, planning, forecasting, and marketing. Accountable for margins, volume, content, marketing, and bridal registry initiatives. Development of online consumer education and in-store associate training / development for the Kiosk initiative.

Kansas City

HELZBERG DIAMONDS (A Berkshire Hathaway Co.), Kansas City, MO Chief Merchandise Officer/ SVPResponsible for merchandising and marketing the assortments of 235 stores including buying, planning, forecasting and product development for three channels of distribution: full price, internet, and outlet. Accountable for margins, volume, and supporting promotional activities, and product knowledge field training. Responsible… Show more HELZBERG DIAMONDS (A Berkshire Hathaway Co.), Kansas City, MO Chief Merchandise Officer/ SVPResponsible for merchandising and marketing the assortments of 235 stores including buying, planning, forecasting and product development for three channels of distribution: full price, internet, and outlet. Accountable for margins, volume, and supporting promotional activities, and product knowledge field training. Responsible for distribution center; processing incoming and outgoing products, 1.1M units annually, QC operations, and supply acquisition. Member of the Helzberg Executive Board.Results: Created merchandise turnaround strategy resulting in significant sustainable positive comp sales results not seen in 10 years. Introduced planning staff to compliment the reorganized and strengthened merchandising staff. . Rebranded internal brands and added national brands to compliment and synergize the advertising and customer product offerings. Developed in-store product training increasing sales associate productivity; closing rates, and increased AUS. Launched and successfully implemented an outlet store concept. Increased volume by 50M / +16%. Show less

Paramus, New Jersey

Developed and managed the boutique store operations and sales activities as a startup / standalone business. Responsibilities including, staffing, marketing, advertising, merchandising, visual, real estate, field operations, product design / development, supply chain management and product manufacturing for all full price Movado Brand Retail stores. General Manager with P/L responsibility, strategic planning and accelerated store development / expansion responsibilities.Results:… Show more Developed and managed the boutique store operations and sales activities as a startup / standalone business. Responsibilities including, staffing, marketing, advertising, merchandising, visual, real estate, field operations, product design / development, supply chain management and product manufacturing for all full price Movado Brand Retail stores. General Manager with P/L responsibility, strategic planning and accelerated store development / expansion responsibilities.Results: Developed the retail brand business strategy that allowed for the creation and growth of the boutique business, including capital investments and infrastructure. Built a team of experts and outside consultants including design and manufacturing groups necessary for execution of the plan. Established reporting systems, enhanced IT operations and created measurement and milestones to execute and drive plan implementation. Developed store build out prototype enhancing the brand customer experience and reinforcing the design philosophy. Established field operations reporting structure, responsibilities / accountabilities and success factors. Achieved consistent positive volume growth year on year. Show less

Dallas, Texas

Responsible for store operations, merchandising, visual, marketing, strategic planning, and P/L for the Bailey Banks and Biddle Store Group. Developed field operation initiatives and strategies, driving business through tactical execution of objectives. Targeted improvement of merchandise assortments, presentation, and content. Designed marketing campaigns to elevate product and brand position. Established control of the financials, increasing sales, lowering expenses and improving operating… Show more Responsible for store operations, merchandising, visual, marketing, strategic planning, and P/L for the Bailey Banks and Biddle Store Group. Developed field operation initiatives and strategies, driving business through tactical execution of objectives. Targeted improvement of merchandise assortments, presentation, and content. Designed marketing campaigns to elevate product and brand position. Established control of the financials, increasing sales, lowering expenses and improving operating earnings.Results: 60 Million dollars of PON volume, markdown reduction, increased margin rates, expense reduction, and increased operating earnings. Strategically/qualitatively improved merchandise content thru addition of branded luxury goods, balanced with private label, controlling the mix / margins while balancing the brand image. Created marketing campaigns that enhanced / defined the brand, elevated product positioning utilizing a broad multimedia approach. Developed visual strategy that raised product awareness within the store, supported the merchandising efforts and established a communication tool to improve concept implementation and consistency across field operations, improving the customer experience. Introduced traffic counters to manage / increase conversion and sales associate productivity. Recruited top notch talent, strengthening the team, improving productivity, morale, standards, motivation, training and people development. Instituted annual sales conferences to support, train, develop, and roll out new product and marketing initiatives to the field. Gained control of expenses through increased monitoring and improved planning initiatives. Accelerated margin growth through reduced promotional activity and higher PMU’s, improved vendor relationships, and grew both the top line and bottom line commensurately. Show less

Dallas, Texas

Startup division director for new businesses: Internet and direct mail catalog. Established the organization for merchandising, buying, marketing, and fulfillment. Directed the system purchase, both hardware and software to support the business. Retained advertising agencies to develop marketing direction, catalog production and home page set up. Developed and implemented mail strategies as well as distribution and fulfillment systems. Established parallel but unique merchandising and creative… Show more Startup division director for new businesses: Internet and direct mail catalog. Established the organization for merchandising, buying, marketing, and fulfillment. Directed the system purchase, both hardware and software to support the business. Retained advertising agencies to develop marketing direction, catalog production and home page set up. Developed and implemented mail strategies as well as distribution and fulfillment systems. Established parallel but unique merchandising and creative strategies to support an Internet / catalog business complimenting the Zale "Bricks and Mortar" operations. Show less

Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco

Divisional Merchandise Manager, responsible for Jewelry, Watches, Cosmetics, Fragrances