Christopher Scalzo
Columbus,OH
Summary
Multi-talented business leader bringing 15 years of experience as a successful Vice President of Merchandising. Strategic problem solver and change manager. Visionary executive implements plans that meet current and future needs. Key expertise in the Retail industry.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
VP Merchandising - Head of Men’s
Express Inc
Columbus, OH
01.2022 - Current
- Vice President of Total Men’s Merchandising and accountable for all key categories including: Tops, Bottoms, Ready-to-Wear, and all non-apparel for both Retail and Outlet Channels – 50% of total company Annual Volume
- Express Men's Currently ranks #4 in the specialty retail space, and holds the #1 rankled position among customers ranging from ages of 25-44
- Achieved record breaking sales across multiple categories in 2022, resulting in Men’s highest volume in the history of Express
- Introduced a “Good, Better, Best” strategy in Ready-to-Wear to capture multiple market segments
- Grew Men's Market share to 10% of specialty retail space in 2023 through a heightened focus on Assortment architecture on Core, seasonal and fashion drops.
- Worked with production partners to reach a 10% AUC drop in the division while hold existing ticket architectures.
- Responsible for setting seasonal departmental: financial targets and plans, creating a seasonal department product strategy, and presenting to our CEO and EVP of merchandising
- Developed and implemented merchandising strategies to increase sales and profitability, primarily through taking an approach of a "Customer First" mentality
- Member of leadership team on Go to Market process task force and implementation, resulting in a more simplified and faster development calendar by 8 weeks
- Coach, develop and lead a team of 25+ associates.
Director of Merchandising – Men’s Tops
Express Inc
Columbus, OH
06.2018 - 01.2022
- Organized promotional events at retail stores and Ecommerce to increase brand awareness for total Tops.
- Launched multiple new woven tops programs, creating balance in the assortment from pure dress aesthetic to polished casual sensibility
- Accomplished growth in Men's Woven Shirts to the number 2 market share position in specialty retail according to the Circana Group over the past 12 rolling months
DMM - Men's Tri-Channel Sportswear
Eddie Bauer
Bellevue, WA
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Drove a 15% comp in 2017 for the entire division, becoming the top volume driver across all divisions in Brick & Mortar
- Responsible for developing a global, customer-centric line which directly supports global customer needs Including: US, South America, Japan, and Germany
- Transitioned the Men’s Merchandising Team and partners to evolve into an Omni-channel brand, optimizing our customer's shopping experience
- Drove wholesale product development and cross-functional partnership through continued communication around needs and feedback on successful and unsuccessful styles
- Proven ability to adapt, flex and assort to new senior leadership vision for the company, and moreover, develop into new fabrications and trends in performance
- Partner with cross functional teams to optimize costing and AUR to drive profitability.
Associate Merchant
Lane Bryant
Columbus, OH
01.2011 - 12.2011
Assistant Merchant – Women's Woven Shirts
Express Inc
Columbus, OH
09.2009 - 11.2010
Merchandising Assistant – Men’s Division
Polo Ralph Lauren
New York, NY
08.2008 - 09.2009
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology -
Rockhurst University
Skills
- Omni-channel growth and strategy
- Product assortment and line architecture creation
- Inventory management through entire product life cycle
- Brand trend analysis
- Brand building
- Organizational transitions and restructuring
- Executive Leadership
- Marketing
- Project Management
- New opportunity identification and implementation
Timeline
VP Merchandising - Head of Men’s
Express Inc
01.2022 - Current
Director of Merchandising – Men’s Tops
Express Inc
06.2018 - 01.2022
DMM - Men's Tri-Channel Sportswear
Eddie Bauer
01.2012 - 01.2018
Associate Merchant
Lane Bryant
01.2011 - 12.2011
Assistant Merchant – Women's Woven Shirts
Express Inc
09.2009 - 11.2010
Merchandising Assistant – Men’s Division
Polo Ralph Lauren
08.2008 - 09.2009
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology -
Rockhurst University
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