Gurpreet KL Dhonsi
Kettering,Northamptonshire
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented retail management professional with a proven ability to transform underperforming stores into high-revenue generators. Skilled in strategic planning, team leadership, and customer experience enhancement to maximise profitability. Demonstrates strong commercial acumen, data analysis expertise, and marketing creativity, including visual merchandising and campaign execution.
Recognised for driving sales growth, improving operational efficiency, and fostering high-performing teams through effective coaching and motivation. Adept at inventory management, budget control, and supplier negotiations, with a track record of reducing costs and improving stock turnover. Thrives under pressure, adapts to challenges, and consistently delivers exceptional results.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Store Manager
Smiggle
Wokingham
09.2019 - 09.2025
- Led team of upto 30 to enhance customer service standards.
- Analyised customer feedback and service metrics to identify areas for improvement and enhance overall service quality.
- Provided superior customer service, resulting in repeat business.
- Coached and disciplined employees while monitoring performance and conducting appraisals.
- Led training sessions for new employees, equipping them with necessary skills and knowledge.
- Coached under/over performing employees improving their job performance significantly leading to promotions.
- Ensured high levels of customer satisfaction with proactive interaction and prompt issue resolution.
- Trained staff using cross-training methods to enhance productivity.
- Achieved financial objectives through annual budget preparation and expenditure planning.
- Set daily, weekly, and monthly KPI targets for team members.
- Managed controllable costs to ensure operational profitability.
- Prepared sales reports by analysing sales data to optimise product placement and drive customer engagement through visual appeal.
- Reduced damaged stock and implemented strategies to boost sales.
- Established safe and clean environment for employees and customers.
- Developed and implemented visual merchandising strategies to attract customers.
- Managed inventory levels to maintain optimal stock and minimise shrinkage.
- Screen CV's and recruitment process.
- Collaborated with cross-company departments, developing new strategies to capitalise on emerging customer trends.
- Formulated marketing and advertising strategies with The Lexicon for continuous store growth.
- Analysed consumer data to predict future purchasing trends for informed decision-making.
- Kept business in compliance with internal controls, industry regulations and health and safety requirements.
- Managed staff rosters, ensuring adequate coverage during peak times.
- Created seasonal sales plans with varying stock and promotional strategies.
Assistant Store Manager
Hotel Chocolat
Windsor
11.2017 - 03.2019
- Assisted in leading daily operations to enhance customer satisfaction and service quality.
- Training and development of direct and in-direct team members.
- Dealing with HR problems within store before it gets escalated any further.
- Recruitment.
- Managed and presented workshop/events to group of 20 people weekly.
Team Leader
Matalan
Reading
06.2017 - 11.2017
- Conducted team briefs to align team and senior management objectives.
- Communicated KPIs and enforced their implementation throughout department.
- Identified performance improvement opportunities and presented initiatives to senior management.
- Executed company visual guidelines and layouts within store environment.
- Facilitated recruitment processes to enhance team capabilities.
- Monitored and reviewed staff and store performance regularly to ensure targets met.
- Managed customer service operations, addressing queries and resolving complaints.
- Coached and motivated staff on conversion techniques to achieve store targets.
- Managed a team up to 50 when on duty.
Visual Merchandiser (Temp)
Marks and Spencer
Slough
10.2016 - 01.2017
- Designed and executed seasonal window displays aligned with current and future fashion trends.
- Created visually appealing displays through planagrams.
- Maximised sales through strategic marketing and merchandising initiatives.
- Updated displays to showcase new products and fashion trends.
- Applied trend analysis to identify customer profiles for impactful styling decisions.
- Monitored lifestyle, demographic, and fashion trends to inform merchandising strategies.
- Provided tailored solutions to visual and merchandising challenges, adhering to brand standards.
Senior Sales Consultant
Next
Reading/Bracknell
05.2012 - 09.2016
- Developed tailored sales strategies to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Led training sessions for junior sales staff, fostering professional growth and team collaboration.
- Analysed market trends to inform product positioning and competitive strategies.
Supervisor
Beanoak Newsagent
Wokingham
03.2007 - 10.2013
- Supervised daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality service.
- Trained and mentored staff to enhance team performance and customer satisfaction.
- Implemented strategies to optimise inventory management and reduce waste.
- Coordinated promotional activities to increase customer engagement and sales.
Accounts Assistant
Wellington Consultancy
Wokingham
10.2008 - 05.2009
- Assisted in preparation of financial reports to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Maintained comprehensive records of invoices and payments for efficient tracking.
- Coordinated communication between clients and internal teams to streamline processes.
- Processed expense claims and reconciled accounts to support financial operations.
- Utilised accounting software to manage financial transactions and reporting.
Education
BA(Hons) - International Business with Marketing
London Metropolitan
01.2011 - 01.2013
Business and Administration - Pass
Vision2Learn
01.2017 - 01.2017
A Level - Business Studies, Photography, Accounting
East Berkshire College
01.2009 - 01.2011
AS Level - ICT, General Studies, Economics
St Crispin's Sixth Form
Wokingham 01.2007 - 01.2008
GCSE's - 7 A-C's
St Crispin's School
Wokingham 01.2004 - 01.2007
Skills
- Proactive Leadership
- Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills
- Commercial acumen
- Strategic and tactical thinking
- Data analysis
- Client relationship management
- Organisational skills
- Visual merchandising creativity
- Marketing campaigns
- Software proficiency: Microsoft Office, ADP, Retail Java, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom
- Time efficiency
- Multilingual communication
- Cash handling
- Retail software literacy
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Critical evaluation
- Networking
- CV screening and Recruitment
- KPI management
- Loss prevention strategies
- Resilience under pressure
- Knowledge retention strategies
Languages
English
Beginner
Punjabi
Beginner
Hindi
Beginner
Affiliations
- Hosting & Socialising
- Travel
Accomplishments
Smiggle
Took an underperforming store to being in the Top 20 Sales in the UK
Decreased it's critical tier loss prevention to minimal % below the company's target.
Timeline
Store Manager
Smiggle
09.2019 - 09.2025
Assistant Store Manager
Hotel Chocolat
11.2017 - 03.2019
Team Leader
Matalan
06.2017 - 11.2017
Business and Administration - Pass
Vision2Learn
01.2017 - 01.2017
Visual Merchandiser (Temp)
Marks and Spencer
10.2016 - 01.2017
Senior Sales Consultant
Next
05.2012 - 09.2016
BA(Hons) - International Business with Marketing
London Metropolitan
01.2011 - 01.2013
A Level - Business Studies, Photography, Accounting
East Berkshire College
01.2009 - 01.2011
Accounts Assistant
Wellington Consultancy
10.2008 - 05.2009
Supervisor
Beanoak Newsagent
03.2007 - 10.2013
AS Level - ICT, General Studies, Economics
St Crispin's Sixth Form
01.2007 - 01.2008
GCSE's - 7 A-C's
St Crispin's School
01.2004 - 01.2007