Ilze Koukoudakis
Lapford,Devon
Summary
I started my retail career as a sales advisor with Mothercare. With hard work, ambition and determination I became a store manager within 4 years. I managed a busy London store with a turn over of £700k and managed 12 members of staff. As a Store Manager I developed an extensive range of retail management skills.
In 2009 after the birth of our first son I decided to start my own online retail company. As a creative business owner I took full responsibility of all aspects of the enterprise. I thrive on excellent customer service and believe this to be one of the most vital parts of running a successful business. I am an enthusiastic, ambitious, hard working individual and have a strong determination to succeed in anything I do.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Store Manager
Whittard of Chelsea
Exeter, Devon
07.2023 - Current
- Led by example encouraging excellent customer service.
- Tasked to lead training and coaching of Mystery shopper.
- Encouraged more tasting outside amongst team to grow brand awareness and bring in new customers.
- Responsible for all store incentives to ensure the store hits KPI's and encourage Whittards values by creating a dedicated wall.
- Opened and closed store following all procedures to facilitate safe and legal trading and follow all H&S, Stock and food compliance.
- Analysed all reports available to ensure the store can maximise sales, monitored all KPI reports and communicated with team in order to implement strategies for improvements.
- Managed and successfully implemented visual merchandising as per guidelines.
- Knowledgeable about store products and mission statement.
- Built relationships with local businesses.
- Driven sales and ATV through training, feedback, motivation, coaching and incentives.
- Recruited and trained driven, dedicated tea
- Monitored inventory levels consistently to avoid stock shortages or overages.
- Coached underperforming employees improving their job performance significantly.
Business Owner
MoA Design
Crediton, Devon
02.2009 - 07.2023
- Researched and identified potential business opportunities in untapped markets to drive revenue.
- Fully controlled all aspects of business, training and leading the team, customer service, ordering stock, data analysing, preparing accounts, product design and development and driving business towards long-term growth.
- Oversaw budget management to keep to financial targets.
- Controlled use and flow of resources, guaranteeing adequate supply for daily operations.
- Led training and development programmes for 9 members of staff.
- Enforced health and safety regulations at all times.
- Maximised profitability through efficient budgeting and identified opportunities for growth.
- Developed strong customer relationships, resulting in high rate of repeat customers.
- Analysing financial reports and product performance to ensure business growth.
Store Manager
Mothercare UK Ltd
Fulham, London
08.2007 - 06.2009
- Completed opening and closing procedures each day.
- Responsible for recruiting, hiring and training of 12 staff and managing team's sickness absence and holiday.
- Monitored all KPI's and implementing solutions to improve stores margins and growth.
- Analysed daily and weekly sales results and maintained ongoing, productive dialogue with area manager and staff.
- Set goals, inspire and challenge store team to achieve business results, developing staff abilities and increasing sales performance.
- Enforced employment law, health and safety regulations and all regulatory guidelines.
- Exceeded sales targets consistently by developing and leading my team to assisting customers in selecting and purchasing merchandise and providing excellent customer service for each and every customer.
- Led regular staff performance reviews to provide guidance and support for individual development.
- Monitored stock levels and wrote timely order supply requests to replenish merchandise.
- Implemented creative and innovative visual merchandising solutions to support sales growth and increase ATV spend.
- Achieved 94% on mystery shopper, coming 3rd in company.
Assistant Manager
Mothercare UK Ltd
Sutton, London
04.2005 - 08.2007
- Maintained store appearance, including shelving organisation, store layout and visual merchandise planning.
- Addressed customer issues calmly and professionally, delivering quick, successful resolutions.
- Created engaging, appealing merchandise displays to motivate impulse purchases and improve revenue.
- Worked with store manager to develop action plans to increase performance and exceed sales KPIs.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Product Photography, Photoshop, Lightroom
Devon Photography Training
Crediton / Devon2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Fashion Design/Drawing, Pattern construction, Clothing construction
Protea College
Cape Town / South Africa 2001 - 2003
A-Levels - English, Bussines economics, Accountancy
De Kuilen High School
Cape Town / South Africa 1998 - 2000
Skills
- Customer relations
- Customer service
- Business operations
- Business analysis
- Business planning
- Employee management
- Business administration
- Policy development
- Staffing oversight
- Recruiting and interviewing
- Retail sales
- Store management
- Hiring and training
- Customer satisfaction
Languages
English
Fluent
Afrikaans
Fluent
Timeline
Store Manager
Whittard of Chelsea
07.2023 - Current
Business Owner
MoA Design
02.2009 - 07.2023
Store Manager
Mothercare UK Ltd
08.2007 - 06.2009
Assistant Manager
Mothercare UK Ltd
04.2005 - 08.2007
Some College (No Degree) - Product Photography, Photoshop, Lightroom
Devon Photography Training
Certificate of Higher Education - Fashion Design/Drawing, Pattern construction, Clothing construction
Protea College
2001 - 2003
A-Levels - English, Bussines economics, Accountancy
De Kuilen High School
1998 - 2000