SAMUEL G GILLOTT

Caramel is a luxury lifestyle brand specialising in kidswear, with successful expansions into womenswear and homeware. The company operates stores in the UK, France, Japan and Korea with products distributed globally through 100+ wholesale and joint venture partners.

• Led cross-functional teams in retail, wholesale, and production optimising operations and fostering collaboration to drive team effectiveness.
• Delivered double-digit sales growth in the US and Japan through strategic partnerships and market expansion initiatives.
• Successfully negotiated a joint venture partnership in Korea, unlocking new market opportunities and driving brand expansion.
• Improved full-price sell-through from 48% to 62% and increased gross margin by 5.5 points in the second half of 2023/24.
• Negotiated a 41% reduction in concession fees with department store and reduced operational costs by 25% through process improvements.
• Developed and executed seasonal product and financial strategies, managing Open-to-Buy (OTB) and aligning with brand KPIs.
• Oversaw inventory management, proactively mitigating risks and capitalising on market opportunities.
• Mentored and developed teams, promoting a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
• Conducted in-depth analysis of the luxury retail market, tracking competitors and performance to refine brand positioning. Leveraged market research to identify trends, pricing strategies, and differentiation opportunities for a competitive edge.
• Led the integration of retail and e-commerce strategies to boost sales across physical stores and digital platforms

• Delivered 11% sales growth and improved margins by 9 points in 2019/20 through effective budgeting and forecasting for UK and international stores.
• Set seasonal strategic priorities, managed Open-to-Buy (OTB), and aligned investments with long-term brand objectives.
• Led new store openings and pop-ups, capitalising on market opportunities to drive expansion.
• Built strong supplier relationships across India, China, and Europe, consistently achieving margin targets.
• Optimised stock management across warehousing and retail, reducing slow-moving stock through pricing adjustments and sample sales.
• Used customer insights to refine ranges and introduce new products, driving revenue growth.
• Managed Design, Production and wholesale teams to enhance product assortments and improve margins.

• Managed range merchandising, pricing, and assortment planning, aligning with seasonal launches.
• Led weekly trade meetings, assessing risks and opportunities to drive sales performance.
• Oversaw budgets and Open-to-Buy (OTB), producing key analytical reports and ensuring stock levels met targets.

• Managed £5.5m department with 150 options, achieving margin targets.
• Presented to senior management, covering sign-offs and seasonal strategy.
• Collaborated with suppliers to plan and trade effectively, ensuring product quality and competitive pricing.
• Mentored Buyer’s Clerk, driving team success, and worked with Merchandising to optimise range planning and space.

• Managed £20m+ menswear, achieving 17% growth; led £5m+ knitwear, increasing profitability by 41%.
• Strengthened supplier relationships, improving intake margins by 4.5%; managed Far East and Near East supply chains.
• Developed two Trainee Buyers and completed the Tesco Leadership Development Program (2012).