Richard Samuelson Email & Phone Number

Dallas, Tx, Us

Century City, California, United States

With company reorganization, asked to implement new leadership/manager model in store format, which became blueprint for store recalibration and realignment. Implemented new manpower model, redesigned and redefined roles, and leader to associate ratio adjustment proven to be beneficial. Increased top seller productivity by 22%. Led store to historical high in total sales volume. Positive sales comps year-over-year, in spite of negative company performance comps in the same time frame. Doubled the number of million dollar sellers in two years, which comprised 30% of total sales. Reduced leadership turnover by 80%.

Dallas,Texas

Responsible for all West coast stores which included three of the top five volume stores. Direct reports of all VP/GMs; dotted line responsibility for all other senior leadership team members and over 2000 associates. Managed close to $1B in revenue. Responsible for all store technologies and pilot testing for new technology innovations. Charged with identifying and negotiating with third-party resources to collaborate and define new technologies to be used by associates and customer facing. Part of a team that led the planning and rollout of iPhones to all sellers, leaders, and key operator roles. This set the stage for sellers to better connect “one to one” with customers, gave leaders oversight to customer connectivity and reporting, and automated data for measurement purposes. Team was also responsible for the distribution of iPads for all stores to assist customers with online transactions and provide education to store teams. Appointed as the senior sponsor for the start-up, design, development, and rollout of the first proprietary selling application (I-Sell) for associates, senior team members, people managers, and corporate leaders. Hired and developed store and corporate executives who ultimately made key contributions to the organization. Worked closely with store senior leadership and corporate Human Resources to implement new compensation programs to acquire new talent and retain existing talent. As senior executive for the largest region, acted as the liaison for all stores communication, influencing, providing direction, and reporting on all key company metrics. Executed work force reductions when necessary due to business requirements.

Drove the Men’s Sportswear business for all 41 full-line stores and online. Responsible for building brands, growing merchandise categories, crafting assortments unique to each store, market, and channel, while cooperatively marketing and promoting all men’s businesses. Recorded the highest historical gross margins for the Men’s Sportswear division at 49%. While setting record gross margins, also reduced the number of margin protection agreements from long time brands that were losing relevance. Developed and ran the online business in addition to running all stores business. In less than three years, grew online business to over $3M. Identified the denim category as a complete void in the assortment. Able to add the category and maximize the growth. Business went from $0 to $5M dollars in first two years.