Natalie Abbott

Marketplace Strategy & Growth

- Secured strategic marketplace partners and agreements with Zalando, Iconic and Amazon expanding our global reach

- Led brand expansion into new European markets, driving revenue and customer acquisition

- Defined our product and brand strategy and selecting over 1,500 seasonal SKUs, ensuring compliance with local regulations and partner requirements

- Optimized pricing and product selection across Womenswear, Lingerie, Kidswear, and Menswear to maximize profitability

Revenue & Financial Leadership

- Responsible for £20m annual net sales

- Managed OTB, stock targets, and promotional strategies, ensuring financial efficiency

- Exceeded GSM annual targets of over 70%

- Set up relationships with outlet partnerships to optimize old-season stock sales and maintain profitability

Operational Excellence & Supply Chain Innovation

- Established new planning and buying processes to support new warehouses, and stock management systems to support Marketplace & D2C growth

-Ensured timely delivery of products to meet customer demand

- Launched and managed wholesale, consignment and drop-ship models with a focus on improving speed of delivery and reducing costs

Leadership & Collaboration

- Managed a team of 12, onboarding, developing new talent and driving high performance

-Built a safe and supportive team environment offered coaching and mentoring to support with successful progression

- Passionate member of our Diversity, Equity and inclusion team driving positive change to policies and initiatives. Providing support to all colleagues so they can perform to the fullest of their abilities in the workplace

- Executed 3 to 5 year growth plans, setting clear KPIs to exceed business objectives

- Built strong marketplace and partner relationships, leveraging insights to drive sales and profitability.

Trading & Performance Optimization

- Led weekly team trading meetings, providing actionable insights to key stakeholders

- Monitored stock levels, discounts, and returns, driving full-price sales

- Owned onsite activity and trading calendar aligned to our product strategy and budget plans, enhancing brand awareness and customer retention

- Hosted buying and influencer events, showcasing our fantastic product offering, strengthening brand presence and engagement

- Analysed market trends to anticipate product demand

Team Leadership: Part of a new team set up working under Agile 'scrum' approach

Set up and managed a team of 7 to support planning, selling and delivering stock to new Marketplace partners

Strategy and Growth: Owned our product and merchandising strategy and Budgets for all clothing areas, driving international growth in new markets. Analysed market data and presented growth proposals to senior stakeholders.

Hosted selling events for partners, presented key seasonal ranges, negotiated budgets and product ranging selections

Market Insights: Conducted market and partner visits and data analysis focusing on Womenswear and Lingerie. Hosted customer focus groups to understand buying behavior and brand association

Business Development: Pitched and secured new business agreements with key strategic partners to support growth in the US and Europe.

Marketing: Developed an app and Bra fit tool for our Lingerie offer. Created marketing campaigns and influencer activity to drive brand awareness and retention

Operational and Trading: Reported on stock, costs, sales, returns, margin, and profit. Owned trading and seasonal delivery plans and presented to key stakeholders in trade meetings

Ensured compliance with company's procurement policies and procedures

Key Achievements and Responsibilities:

• Developed tailored product strategies to meet diverse market and customer requirements, sourcing from key suppliers ensuring competitive prices and aligning with brand standards.
• Managed and hosted seasonal buying events selling over 3,000 Lingerie and Beauty Sku’s, presenting strategies, priorities, and products to international partners.
• Owning the critical path, ensuring timely execution of key initiatives and on-time delivery.
• Spearheaded innovative concepts to drive growth and brand awareness internationally, including opening concept stores in airports such as India, pop-up shops in malls in Asia, and high-end standalone stores in the Middle East.
• Conducted regular market visits to support seasonal implementations, analysed competitor activity, and collaborated with partners on strategic growth plans
• Compiled and presented weekly trading reports to key stakeholders, identifying risks and opportunities, and contributing to business sprints.
• Collaborated with Merchandisers on forecasting and financial budgeting, ensuring accountability and accuracy
• Analysed and reported on customer insights and market activity
• Led and developed a high-performing team of six, fostering growth and excellence.
• Supported onboarding of new partners, optimizing product assortments, and driving existing partnerships to achieve key KPIs.

Key Achievements and Responsibilities:

• Managed key ranges within Bras, the second biggest department in M&S, with annual sales of over £150m, trading at +12% to plan for 09/10.
• Responsible for the biggest line in the business, taking over £10m annually.
• Grew market share on Bras to over 30% of Uk market.
• Managed an annual budget of £90m, planning and buying 180 bra and accessories options per season.
• Updated the sports bra range, achieving a 36% increase in sales.
• Sourced and launched new innovations within Lingerie, including Memory foam perfect fit range and Magic firm control shapewear.
• Worked closely with technologists and suppliers to consolidate the supply base and improve margins on key volume lines.
• Developed and managed additional product offering for e-commerce
• Devised and implemented category strategies, revising pricing architecture, and modernizing store layout and packaging.
• Analyzed sales performance and monitored market activity to identify trading opportunities, reporting weekly to senior management.
• Attended and presented in run rate meetings to the business unit director.
• Managed, supported, and developed junior team members.
• Liaised with the design team to identify key fashion trends and opportunities per season and briefed into suppliers
• Supported fit sessions to ensure the quality, look, feel, and fit met the M&S brand criteria.
• Collaborated with marketing, press, and store colleagues to ensure maximum publicity for new product launches.
• Visited relevant Lingerie Trade Fairs, press shows, suppliers, and carried out regular competitive shopping to look at the latest fashions and trends.

Key Achievements and Responsibilities:

• Supported product development, sourcing, and costing
• Planned and forecasted categories with the merchandiser
• Allocated stock and provided timely sales and stock analysis
• Managed own ranges in sleepwear and beauty
• Presented trade opportunities and competitor analysis in weekly trade meetings and run rate
• Launched new Per Una cosmetics and Beauty Christmas gift shop and owned documentation guidelines
• Owned business projects to enhance customer experience and loyalty during peak Christmas trading