Talents

William H. Parker

Senior retail executive who has led global multi-billion businesses by taking companies to their next level by strengthening their positions in the market and developing distinctive strategies to achieve competitive advantage. Turnaround executive who specializes in maximizing the potential and opportunities of distressed companies; also specializes in providing professional business management to small entrepreneurial companies so they achieve their full growth potential:

In depth experience in merchandising, product development, international manufacturing, store operations and financial management within department, specialty and discount business formats. Keen understanding of financial key performance indicators so profitability is enhanced and maximized.
A corporate executive who has successfully transitioned to the Private Equity arena with an assertive style and a high achievement record.

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FORMAT CORPORATE

DEPARTMENT STORES

Macy’s: Menswear Buyer
May Company: Store Operations; Divisional Merchandise Manager {menswear, children’s wear, soft home}
Dayton-Hudson’s: Store General Manager; Divisional Merchandise Manager {menswear, young menswear, sporting goods and footwear}
Carson Pirie Scott: Senior Vice President Merchandising-Menswear, Intimate Apparel, Children’s Wear, Footwear

SPECIALTY STORES

Old Navy: Vice President of Stores and Operations for the Midwestern Zone
Banana Republic: Senior Vice President of Stores and Operations
Gateway: President and General Manager of Gateway’s Retail Stores

MASS MERCHANDISERS

Target: Divisional Merchandise Manager, Footwear
Kmart: Vice President of Marketing and Sales Promotion; Vice President Merchandising, Home Décor

FORMAT ENTREPRENEUR/INVESTOR

PRIVATE COMPANIES

Pharmaca, Integrative Pharmacy: Chief Operating Officer
Jeanomix {contemporary branded jeans and contemporary sportswear for men and women}

MERCHANDISING MARKETING AND VISUAL PRESENTATION

Influences consumer shopping behavior to drive product sell through.

Develops the business priorities that are most important for competing in the marketplace. Ensures that the company mission, target customer, store image and overall policies are integrated to produce the short and long term financial goals of the company.
Defines the difference in merchandise assortment planning {velocity, competitive, convenience, differentiated and dominant} so customer demand is satisfied at store level.
Ensure that category management is a vital part of managing product categories as business units and customizing them on a store by store geographic basis so customer psychograpics and consumer demand are satisfied
Develops an integrated merchandising "Multiplier Effect" so financial objectives are met and shareholder value increased:
- Integrated Business Plan
- Inventory Management
- Advertising, Marketing and Sales Promotion
- Customer Service Selling
- Space Management and Category Allocation
- In Store Merchandising
- Visual Presentation
- Supply Chain Management and Key Vendor Relations
- Assortment Planning and Pricing

BRAND MANAGEMENT AND STORE DESIGN

Influences the Customer Shopping Experience or Customer Enticement to Purchase Product

Has consistently executed the "strategic brand analysis" necessary to position the business for competitive advantage
Builds the "brand identity" through a process that includes product, the organization, the customer and as an iconic symbol
Operationalizes the brand through an inclusive process that includes a thorough multi-step game plan that harnesses all aspects of the organization to become the brand.
Develops "brand-customer relationship management" plans that is inclusive of:
- Customer/Staff Interaction
- In-Store Communication
- Look and Feel of the Store
- Brand Loyalty

Puts Brand Identity Implementation processes in place that leads to the "brand promise":
- Creative Brand Position Execution, Positioning and the Brand System
- Execution of: In-Store Messaging, Promotional Vehicles, Public Relations, Community, CRM, Web/E-Commerce

DEVELOPING PEOPLE

Provides tools or resources to coach and develop our human capital as well as foster a learning and teachable point of view focused organization and environment.

Creates an environment that provides direction and promotes continuous learning and development.
Builds strong teams whose members have complementary strengths and diverse backgrounds.
Recognize and unleash the full potential of others by providing the needed resources, coaching, experiences and other support
Develops the vision and mission that builds the habits, beliefs and behaviors of the organization so a strong corporate culture is formulated.

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

Develops a proactive real estate strategy that delivers the prerequisite financial results through sound deal economics practices

Ensures that deal economics, site selection, co-tenancy, acquisition targets, lease negotiations, demographic and psychograhic customer targets are all aligned so maximum results are produced.
Develops a Lease Action and New Store Review Committee so performance metrics and pro-formas are analyzed prior to approval. Review all leases six to eight months ahead of time so options are presents in terms of "stay, leave, renegotiate, remodel or close" based on store performance.
Have hired firms that specialize in "Predictive Analytics" so site selection is focused on the customer psychographics and demographics that will enhance store performance.

OPERATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Creates best practices and standard operating procedures that reduce costs and increases revenue.

Has developed "Best In Class" retail information systems that assists in the management of retail accounting and financial management, merchandise management and control, inventory and labor management, capital expenditures and cash flow along with real estate management.
Develops Operating Plans that are inclusive of company and divisional objectives, strategies and initiatives that ensure a disciplined execution of the business plan.