Sara Berquist Email & Phone Number

Cleveland, OH, US

Rosemont, IL, US

Hudson, OH, US

• Led growth of $100M category by developing strategic initiatives, promotions, compelling assortments and actively reacting to financial trends.
• Reversed down-trending sales in Home Decor Fabrics into a positive growth business.
• Reduced SKUs by 60% to achieve a tighter, more productive assortment, freeing up valuable store space for chase categories, which improved overall sales productivity for the company.
• Remaining 40% of the assortment generated 80% of the previous year sales on 30% less inventory.
• Introduced new Utility Material category in anticipation of additional store space resulting in incremental $5M+ business with room to expand.
• Re-profiled 5 major categories, managed and assorted 50+ different layout modules for more than 860 stores, ensuring the highest productivity in all markets.

Burr Ridge, IL, US

• Developed strategies, planned and drove execution for the Office category to achieve financial goals, maximize sales and margin.
• Traveled to Asia multiple times to develop new products, as well as discuss new ideas and strategies for subsequent seasons.
• Worked with internal product development team, brands, agents and suppliers to generate new product ideas, source new materials and ensure product launched on time, with intended design, quality and pricing standards.
• Added $500K in sales and new customer growth by expanding Office assortment into several white spaces, appealing to a younger, more diverse workforce.
• Launched 18+ new pen brands after identifying opportunities to make TR a destination for branded fine writing resulting in a 30% increase in sales over the previous year.
• Secured $19K (76% of total catalog budget) from brands to fund business catalog photography.

Burr Ridge, IL, US

• Planned, developed and purchased line assortments for Softlines, Seasonal, Snow Globes Baby and Kids’ categories.
• Expanded web-only scarves program into all stores, while also sourcing new vendors and negotiating 42% lower cost/piece and better quality, resulting in 673% increase in category sales over previous year.
• Introduced pre-sewn apparel (vs. typical embroidered-to-order apparel), which generated additional $312K in sales at peak times of year (Holiday and Mother’s Day).
• Took initiative to learn how to use industrial embroidery machines, as well as digitizing and font profiling software, to help inform development and purchasing decisions.
• Worked with personalization team to bring in new products requiring new personalization methods.
• Assisted in development and launch of exclusive Disney-licensed snow globes and Willow Tree Collectibles which generated an additional $3M in sales in the first year.

• Planned and purchased assortments in junior & contemporary markets for 3 boutiques, 50 departments, including 100+ brands.
• Doubled total net profits in first two years through enhanced product selection and unique, engaging visual concepts.
• Increased total net profit an additional 50% 2007–2009, in a declining market, through building core basic business, personal shopping program and brand education for employees.
• Traveled to tradeshows and showrooms in New York and Las Vegas to research, forecast and buy trends for each season.
• Developed digital and social media marketing plan to drive awareness and traffic, including Facebook, Twitter and blog to feature promotions, new arrivals, trend reports, etc.

• Purchased all liquor, beer and mixers
• Marketing and promotional events
• Managed entire staff (27 employees), schedules, etc.

• Assisted publicists on day-to-day needs for designers, stylists and businesses represented, as well as producing fashion shows.
• Worked with stylists to help celebrity clients find appropriate apparel for upcoming events and red carpet appearances.
• Helped plan and execute four fashion shows for the inaugural 7th on 6th Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, including shows for Jeremy Scott and Petro Zillia.
• Hosted The Sunset Marquis Oscar Oasis event, and created photo opportunities for celebrity endorsement of clients’ products.
• Established a system for assembling press kits, which reduced print costs for clients.

Associate Of Applied Business, Fashion Design

Bachelor Of Science, Human And Consumer Sciences; Fashion And Retail Merchandising

High School Diploma, College Prep