THOMAS COLÓN
Blackwood
Summary
Transformational leader with experience in reducing turnover and minimizing shrinkage while exceeding profit targets. Skilled in strategic planning and employee development, driving financial results in competitive markets. Focused on team collaboration and engagement to enhance performance and foster innovation.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Manager
Alo Yoga
Cherry Hill
07.2025 - Current
- Supported incremental growth ending 2025 with comp sales of +69.7%, +39.7pp spread, and a YTD +4.2pp on conversion
- Developed staff schedules to optimize customer service during peak hours while managing labor costs within budget for 2025.
- Oversaw inventory management through weekly cycle counts, audits, and shrinkage control, cutting 2025 shrink in half within 6 months by supporting best practices.
- Collaborated on marketing initiatives and promotional events, engaging 250+ local Philadelphia run club members at our Walnut St location.
- District SM operations champion in support of the ASM population
Store Manager
H&M
Cherry Hill
04.2023 - 07.2025
- Analyzed and followed up on sales and profit KPIs, implementing actions to maximize results.
- Nominated by NA operations manager, Roberto de Aranzamendi, as one of four subject matter experts to showcase product availability and operational routine best practices at SM Summit 2025 for North America.
- Highest shrink reduction to LY SM award 2024
- Attained overall best delivery compliance award for store management, ensuring timely and accurate product deliveries.
- Received the store management VIP award for exceptional contributions to business performance and team leadership.
- SM lead for store operation best practice reset for following locations; Wilkes-Barre, PA, Freehold, NJ, Christiana, DE, Harrisburg, PA, Cherry Hill, NJ.
- Facilitated commercial activities and maintained high customer service levels while managing the sales budget of allocated hours.
- Prioritized actions with Area and Store team, providing feedback on store allocations to optimize garment levels for enhanced selling.
- Managed store maintenance efficiently to meet H&M standards, initiating actions aligned with store P&L.
- Oversee and streamline recruitment, training, development, and succession planning for store in line with h&m best practices
- Evaluate and manage the performance of Store Team members; execute dialogues, development plans, feedback, and follow-ups and take actions to improve performance to support the business needs
- Ensure regular and clear communication to the Store team on Business Performance, Company Culture & Values, and Country/Sales Market/Area/Store goals through daily Store Meetings and weekly/monthly Leadership Meetings
- Ensure that health & safety, legal, and security issues are being handled to H&M standards and local laws, securing the employee and customer safety at all times
- Cultivate company culture by encouraging feedback in daily operations and guiding store team to adopt similar practices
Area Visual Manager
Nordstrom
Cherry Hill
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Dual store visual merchandising manager; supports VM team at each location, annual combined sales volume $65+ million
- Teach/lead each location of Department & Assistant Department managers on product flow, merchandise buys, department schematics and layout
- Partner with each General Manager to understand individual business needs to plan, communicate, execute and measure business results
- Plan department moves based off seasonal priorities, current and a future fashion trends, analytics of current best sellers and shifts in product levels
- Manage monthly/yearly budget through concur expense reports for each team, along with personal expense company card for each visual team member
- Order/configure store trim needs for marketing events, IE; holiday events, special brand launches, region specific marketing programs
- Daily use of AutoCAD software to design, modify and create store fixture layouts with dimensions, capacity and ADA compliancy.
Sub-Director
Zara
Cherry Hill
06.2018 - 10.2022
- Oversees full store staff (50-100); inclusive of Department/Operation Managers, Floor Supervisors, Visual/commercial team and Sales Advisors
- Collaborated with department managers to fulfill and maintain hiring and training needs, enhancing team readiness and performance
- Analyze total store budget to ensure each department maximizes hours allotted versus hours used to maintain profitability
- Successful comp gain on stores' largest Black Friday, 2021, $250,000+
- Utilized omni-channel initiative to create seamless shopping experiences, fostering repeat customer loyalty
- Analyzed replenishment reports to ensure optimal product placement in high-traffic areas, supporting overall profitability
- Teach and implement proper product flow to ensure our showrooms are the most current, up-to-date trends and color blocks for appealing and quick self-shopping
- Inventory management utilizing RFID for daily stock reads, inventory reconciliation and store organization. Trained existing and new management on multiple devices utilizing RFID enabled applications, such as zebra wands and overhead readers
- Lead pilot and installation of self-checkout sections in our Cherry Hill, NJ and King of Prussia, PA locations
- Collaborated with regional operations manager, Vanessa DeSilva, on stockroom off site locations and blueprint layouts for Cherry Hill, NJ location
- Support Manager for multiple stores (Freehold, NJ, Bethesda, MD, Walt Whitman, NY, Annapolis, MD), along with the grand opening of our King Of Prussia, PA location.
Department Manager
H&M
Atlantic City
01.2017 - 06.2018
- Oversees staff of 20+, inclusive of Visual Merchandisers, Sales Advisors and Department Supervisors, across a 12,000 sq.ft. sales floor
- Reviewed KPIs and adjusted departmental strategies daily to maximize profitability.
- Maintained commerciality standards to support indirect customer service and optimize sales potential.
- Recruit and hire, develops individualized training plans for each new hire and partners with In-Store coaches to ensure a credible training plan
- Coordinated planning and execution of total renovation for Woodbridge, NJ store, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Utilized CCTV surveillance to promote loss prevention strategies across all departments.
Store Manager
Journey's
Deptford
06.2015 - 01.2017
- Flagship store manager, maintained top tier results across multiple platforms
- Store total comp up $100,000+ from June 2015-January 2016
- Highest volume week (Deptford, WK 50), highest in-store sale (Deptford, $1250), Highest volume day (Cherry Hill, Black Friday 2015)
- Enhanced team capabilities by promoting 5 store managers to top sales locations and corporate roles
- Won back-to-school contest at Oxford Valley, 2015
- Supported build of new 'Journey's Kidz' location in Cherry Hill, NJ
Senior Store / Area Manager
Zumiez
Greater Philadelphia
06.2011 - 06.2015
- Consecutive multi-unit comp store sales gains (2012-2014)
- Increased ROI for our WEB division 20% (2013) and 44% (2014)
- Total of 13 salaried SM reports, with a total 200+ employees in our area
- Supported multiple store openings and renovations across PA/NJ district, enhancing operational readiness
- Scheduled and executed successful national event with 50+ employees and 1,000+ attendees
- Taught and led retailing classes at national events for 100+ store managers - 2013-2015
- 1 of 10 stores within the company (600+ stores) to be chosen as visual in-store leader to showcase best practices for company wide visual standards
- Managed company purchase card, maintaining budget adherence and ensuring financial accountability
- Conducted security interviews, assessed potential internal/external loss recovery, and achieved company shrink goals
Assistant Store Manager
Hot Topic
Scranton
06.2009 - 06.2011
- Managed 20+ sales associates to provide exceptional customer service within the niche market
- Supported Store Manager in recruiting top-tier talent, ensuring minimal vacancy times and maintaining high employee quality
- Developed and implemented training courses for new hires, enhancing their competency and contributing to profitability
- Identified and showcased opportunities for more efficient presentation of premium products
- Received SKULLY award in 2010 and 2011 for promoting loss prevention awareness.
Education
High School Diploma -
Crestwood High School
Mountain Top, PA06-2004
Skills
- New store openings
- Operational excellence
- Multi-Unit management
- Visual merchandising
- P&L
- Forecasting
- Training/Development
- Market analysis
- Sustainability
- Recruiting/Networking
References
- Amy Murray, Certified Medical Assistant, (856) 472-4628
- David Shive, Prior District Manager, (610) 762-0864
- Briana Petalino, Store manager, (856) 524-6443
- Michael Lanzetta, Friend, (267) 980-0498
Timeline
Store Manager
Alo Yoga
07.2025 - Current
Store Manager
H&M
04.2023 - 07.2025
Area Visual Manager
Nordstrom
10.2022 - 04.2023
Sub-Director
Zara
06.2018 - 10.2022
Department Manager
H&M
01.2017 - 06.2018
Store Manager
Journey's
06.2015 - 01.2017
Senior Store / Area Manager
Zumiez
06.2011 - 06.2015
Assistant Store Manager
Hot Topic
06.2009 - 06.2011
High School Diploma -
Crestwood High School