Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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Stuart Michell

Las Vegas,NV

Summary

Retail leader with proven track record in driving growth and implementing market strategies across Europe, Middle East, Asia, and the US. Expertise in negotiation and team leadership, resulting in increased profitability and improved customer relations.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Commercial Officer

WHSmith North America
Las Vegas, Nevada
08.2023 - Current
  • Drove like-for-like growth through targeted promotional and category strategies, surpassing market trends.
  • Increased net margin by over 10% within two years via strengthened vendor relations and strategic pricing.
  • Established a new Retail Media division, enhancing customer experience in US Airports, a first in the US Travel Retail market.
  • Collaborated with business development to create win strategies, securing new business opportunities.
  • Coordinated commercial and marketing teams to successfully open approximately 50 new stores annually.

Commercial Director

WHSmith
London, London
03.2020 - 08.2023
  • Managed commercial teams across nine geographical regions in Europe, Middle East, and Asia to tailor customer plans per market.
  • Increased profitability through formation of a central buying team focused on maximizing vendor agreements.
  • Transformed approach to new business pitches, ensuring alignment with local market dynamics.
  • Cultivated improved sourcing credentials among commercial teams to strengthen commitment to Ethical Sourcing standards.

General Manager Singapore

WHSmith
Singapore, Singapore
06.2018 - 03.2020
  • Directed P&L for Singapore business while managing commercial, operations, and finance teams.
  • Focused on transforming a loss-making business through strategic P&L enhancements, including rental structure renegotiation at Changi Airport..
  • Collaborated on commercial strategy development across Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines.

General Manager Qatar

WHSmith
Doha, Qatar
06.2017 - 06.2018
  • Directed P&L for Qatar business while managing commercial, operations and finance teams.
  • Led the team through a period of uncertainty in the region, which resulted in a necessary change of sourcing for all key categories.

Head of Business Development

WHSmith
London , London
06.2015 - 06.2017
  • Supervised business development teams serving airports, hospitals, and rail channels.
  • Established new site for 'Store of the Future' concept at a prominent London airport.
  • Renewed contracts in vital locations to support growth initiatives.
  • Managed landlord relations during legislative shifts affecting Healthy Eating standards and guided internal project group through range optimization and necessary store adjustments as a result.

Head of Trading

WHSmith
London, London
03.2013 - 06.2015
  • Led food and drinks category management within WHSmith Travel, contributing to significant business expansion.
  • Achieved 200% growth in Food category over two years through strategic collaboration.
  • Enhanced Coffee and Cafe offerings in UK Hospitals and Rail, generating a 70% increase in sales.

Various Roles

Sainsbury's
London, London
09.2008 - 03.2013
  • Ranked as top trading candidate after finishing Sainsbury's graduate scheme.
  • Held a number of buying roles in Health & Beauty, Food Services, and Fresh Meat.
  • Completed a secondment as a Convenience Store manager for one year in inner London, as part of the Future Leaders program.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Business Management

University of Central Lancashire
Preston
06-2008

Skills

  • Commercial strategy and planning
  • Business development
  • Team leadership
  • Negotiation
  • Problem solving
  • Net margin growth
  • Profit and loss management
  • Retail operations

Affiliations

  • Travel - integral part of my life and love to learn and understand more regarding different cultures around the world.
  • Sport - Played to a competitive level in Football and continue to pursue passions in Golf, Tennis and Padel.

Timeline

Chief Commercial Officer

WHSmith North America
08.2023 - Current

Commercial Director

WHSmith
03.2020 - 08.2023

General Manager Singapore

WHSmith
06.2018 - 03.2020

General Manager Qatar

WHSmith
06.2017 - 06.2018

Head of Business Development

WHSmith
06.2015 - 06.2017

Head of Trading

WHSmith
03.2013 - 06.2015

Various Roles

Sainsbury's
09.2008 - 03.2013

Bachelor of Arts - Business Management

University of Central Lancashire

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