Lilly Kesler
Santa Monica,CA
Summary
Strategic merchandising professional with expertise in inventory optimization, allocation strategy, and retail analytics. Adaptable team player with strong problem-solving skills and a proven ability to turn insights into actionable business solutions. Passionate about retail and inventory strategy, with a desire to support a customer-focused brand and drive meaningful business results.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Allocation Merchandise Analyst
Cotton On Inc.
Los Angeles, USA
10.2025 - Current
- Analyzed weekly store and omni-channel performance, inventory productivity, and weeks of supply to identify opportunities and execute allocation strategies that improved Intimates comparable sales while reducing excess inventory coverage.
- Oversaw store-level inventory performance across 50+ locations, aligning allocation and replenishment strategies with business-wide sales goals and customer demand.
- Supported the department's projected highest-performing year to date by analyzing weekly business performance, identifying sales opportunities, and executing inventory strategies aligned with revenue goals.
- Executed promotional, markdown, and pricing strategies to enhance inventory productivity, elevate sell-through rates, and safeguard gross margin performance.
- Conducted monthly floorset walkthroughs to assess assortment readiness, pinpoint inventory gaps, and create strategic solutions that maximized sales opportunities during constrained inventory periods.
- Leveraged sales trends, demographic insights, and host-city analytics during the FIFA World Cup to identify high-opportunity locations and develop an inventory strategy projected to generate S2M in incremental revenue.
Allocation Analyst
Guess? Inc.
Los Angeles, USA
07.2024 - 10.2025
- Directed restocking and allocation strategies across six product categories, adjusting inventory weekly based on sales performance to maximize revenue and align inventory with customer demand.
- Utilized advanced software tools to manage allocation operations across stores and omni platforms, tracking 200+ SKUs to ensure efficient stock distribution.
- Analyzed sales performance, demographic trends, weather patterns, and cross-functional input to drive inventory decisions and optimize sell-through.
- Coordinated style setups, maintained linesheets, assisted with handbag samples, and facilitated purchase orders with vendors, ensuring accurate product execution and timely deliveries.
Buying, Planning, Allocation Intern
Guess? Inc.
Los Angeles, USA
06.2024 - 07.2024
- Developed and presented end-of-internship project proposal to enhance sales and customer engagement through targeted merchandise assortments based on sales analysis and market trends.
- Compiled reports and extracted insights into product performance to inform strategic purchasing decisions.
- Analyzed line review processes to identify merchandise selections that aligned with business goals and customer demand.
- Assisted in the selection of merchandise assortments based on sales analysis, market trends, and customer preferences.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Strategic Design and Management
Parsons School of Design
New York, NY05-2024
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Parsons School of Design Paris
Paris, France05-2024
Skills
- Inventory Optimization
- Sales Forecasting
- Excel
- Presentation Building
- Strong Attention to Detail
- Results Driven
- Curious
- Adaptable
- Team Player
- People Oriented
Timeline
Allocation Merchandise Analyst
Cotton On Inc.
10.2025 - Current
Allocation Analyst
Guess? Inc.
07.2024 - 10.2025
Buying, Planning, Allocation Intern
Guess? Inc.
06.2024 - 07.2024
Bachelor of Business Administration - Strategic Design and Management
Parsons School of Design
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Parsons School of Design Paris