ANGELA WELCOME
New York,USA
Summary
Seasoned luxury retail professional with nearly three decades of expertise in Beauty, Footwear, and Ready-to-Wear. Proven ability to curate compelling brand assortments that resonate with customers, driving engagement and loyalty. Passionate about brand strategy and omni-channel retail, seeking a senior leadership or advisory role to leverage insights and enhance business performance.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
DMM - Cosmetics, Fragrance, Eyewear & Hair Access.
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, New York
08.2023 - Current
- Architected and led strategy, brand development, omni-channel merchandising and regular price sales growth of Beauty, Sunglasses and Hair Accessories.
- Launched Biologique Recherche skincare and Bottega Veneta fragrance as US exclusives.
- Through strong vendor relationships secured exclusive product launches, leads and experiences each season to cement BG as destination.
- Partner with planning team to shift the content of sales to an overwhelming majority of regular price versus promotional and improve gross margin.
- Responsible for all Beauty capital project development, funding negotiation and execution. An opportunity to partner with brands to create aligned, impactful and productive environments.
- Oversaw a team of 6 associates, ensuring effective collaboration and performance.
Buyer – Cosmetics, Skincare and Makeup
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
07.2017 - 08.2023
- Responsibility covered 55% of the cosmetic division, 75 vendors including brands such as Chantecaille, Charlotte Tilbury, Cle de Peau, Dior, La Prairie, YSL, Giorgio Armani and Estee Lauder and the recently acquired BG.com.
- Partnered with vendors to plan activations and launch new brands, including Pat McGrath’s first full-service installation (2/2019), Victoria Beckham's beauty line with a PA (10/2021), and a Korean Beauty pop-up with Peach & Lily (Spring 2018).
- Developed seasonal brand strategies to drive each business including setting sales plans, marketing calendar and partnering with key vendors to create BG exclusives.
- Defined seasonal trends to feature in key marketing materials and secured co-op funding for various programs.
- Conducted monthly OT B meetings to manage stock levels effectively, adjusting strategies to capitalize on opportunities or address underperforming brands.
- Designed and created GWP for seasonal event to support department wide event. Some of the partners included artist Ashley Longshore and Lisa Bayer.
Buyer, Designer & Contemporary Shoes
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
07.2011 - 07.2017
- Bought and managed $30.0+ million footwear business.
- Managed a changing mix of designer and contemporary vendors that have included Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Celine, Alexander Birman, Laurence Decade, Tods, Roger Vivier, Alexander Wang, Loffeler Randall, Vince and Stuart Weitzman.
- Worked closely with vendors to develop a targeted assortment through line selection and product development.
- Introduced vendors to designer shoes that complete the world of concept fostered throughout the store.
- Developed seasonal sales plans by vendor, forecast markdowns, project monthly sales and manage/update models for core continuative segments of business.
- In 2015 one of select divisions to assume responsibility for category management on bergdorfgoodman.com; working to reflect more of the actual store personality through the website.
- Created seasonal marketing campaigns focusing on digital strategies, including product lookbooks and partnerships with bloggers.
- Managed an assistant buyer, merchandise coordinator and a business manager.
Buyer – Sportwear Collections, 6th Floor
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
10.2006 - 07.2011
- Bought $15.0 million seasonal collection of fashionable goods from luxury vendors Akris Punto, Armani Collezioni, Piazza Sempione, Etro, Charles Chang-Lima, Philosophy, Ginny H, Easton Pearson, and HaaT-Issey Miyake.
- Exceeded sales plan for matrix by 6.2%, contributing to overall revenue growth.
- Achieved increases by intensifying key classifications, developing packages for outpost, and creating essential suiting program that enhanced product offering.
- Managed fiscal budgets, assortments, and advertising for all vendors, optimizing inventory and marketing strategies.
- Managed an assistant buyer.
Buyer – Cosmetics, Cosmetic Accessories, Hair Accessories and Sunglasses/Optical
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
11.2005 - 10.2006
- Managed relationships with cosmetic brands Clinique, Estée Lauder, Kanebo, Lancôme, Nars, Prescriptives, and ReVive, ensuring alignment with brand strategies.
- Purchased basic and fashion forward goods for four diverse areas of business with an annual volume heading towards $10.0 million.
- Curated the mix of eyewear, including launching Tom Ford Eyewear with Marcolin in 2005.
- Developed eyewear campaign-mailer and NYT ad series, securing $100,000 in co-op funds and collaborating with vendors to maximize brand exposure with Bergdorf Goodman.
Associate Buyer – Cosmetics, Cosmetic Accessories, Hair Accessories and Sunglasses/Optical
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
11.2001 - 11.2005
- Managed relationships with cosmetic brands Clinique, Estée Lauder, Kanebo, Lancôme, Nars, Prescriptives, and ReVive, ensuring alignment with brand strategies.
- Purchased basic and fashion forward goods for four diverse areas of business with an annual volume of $9.0 million, for fiscal 2004 achieved 102% to plan.
- Launched MD Skincare by noted dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross in the Spring 2002.
- Curated the mix of eyewear, currently $2.0 million, growing 40% over prior year.
- Developed eyewear campaign-mailer and NYT ad series, securing $100,000 in co-op funds and collaborating with vendors to maximize brand exposure with Bergdorf Goodman.
Assistant Buyer – Cosmetics
Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
08.1999 - 10.2001
- Maintained forty plus vendors with an annual volume in excess of $14 million.
- Handled the buying responsibilities for several smaller vendors, including Shu Uemura, Natura Bisse, Ramy Beauty Therapy, Poole, and ReVive.
- Collaborated with vendors to develop seasonal advertising and marketing campaigns, increasing brand visibility.
- Supported the opening of the New Level of Beauty in November 1999.
Public Relations Manager & Executive Assistant
John Barrett Salon, Bergdorf Goodman
New York, USA
11.1998 - 04.1999
- Coordinated media and editorial activities with major magazines and television shows, enhancing visibility for John Barrett and the salon.
- Developed databases for all John Barrett Salon public relations contacts, public relations activities and charitable donations.
- Researched and wrote sections of the five-year business plan that cultivated new financial resources for the John Barrett Salon and Hardcap, LLC (product and accessory division).
Assistant Buyer - Cosmetic Novelties
Neiman Marcus
Dallas, USA
09.1997 - 10.1998
- Managed $6 million worth of business encompassing three departments – hair care, home fragrances, and personal fragrances.
- Negotiated with vendors on orders, RTVs, personal appearances, and other issues.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Design and Merchandising, International Area Studies
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Philadelphia, PASkills
- Category management
- Brand development
- Omni-channel merchandising
- Sales and Inventory management
- Vendor management
- Trend analysis
- Strategic Thinking
- Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint
- Team leadership
Timeline
DMM - Cosmetics, Fragrance, Eyewear & Hair Access.
Bergdorf Goodman
08.2023 - Current
Buyer – Cosmetics, Skincare and Makeup
Bergdorf Goodman
07.2017 - 08.2023
Buyer, Designer & Contemporary Shoes
Bergdorf Goodman
07.2011 - 07.2017
Buyer – Sportwear Collections, 6th Floor
Bergdorf Goodman
10.2006 - 07.2011
Buyer – Cosmetics, Cosmetic Accessories, Hair Accessories and Sunglasses/Optical
Bergdorf Goodman
11.2005 - 10.2006
Associate Buyer – Cosmetics, Cosmetic Accessories, Hair Accessories and Sunglasses/Optical
Bergdorf Goodman
11.2001 - 11.2005
Assistant Buyer – Cosmetics
Bergdorf Goodman
08.1999 - 10.2001
Public Relations Manager & Executive Assistant
John Barrett Salon, Bergdorf Goodman
11.1998 - 04.1999
Assistant Buyer - Cosmetic Novelties
Neiman Marcus
09.1997 - 10.1998
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Design and Merchandising, International Area Studies
DREXEL UNIVERSITY