Fred Bailey

Professional business builder with extensive experience in building and implementing product, merchandise programs and Sales Management. Expertise in building profitable assortments focused on consumer experience and best-in-class practices with financial prowess in in forecasting, balancing stock levels and ensuring strong GMROI. Results focused with the capacity to communicate cross functionality and manage multiple contact points within customer and company divisions. Managed a strategic rep force of 19people across the United States Grew the winter business in a challenging weather year by using creative methods to leverage product into new and existing accounts. Reduced aged and toxic inventory by 50%. Worked directly with European product managers to create better product assortment for the United States market.

Track and analyze sales information in order to identify opportunities to increase sales, improve margins, maximize inventories, and decrease markdowns. Developed and managed private label program for Trayl brand in bikes and bike apparel managing an average of 30-40 bike skus in 3 factories and 113 apparel skus in 2 Initiated Bike University, a training strategy for stores rolling concept out to 100 stores. Established the Bike and Wheels Department as one of the top two online growth areas leading to 70% growth year over year. Focused on establishing long term, healthy and mutually beneficial key partnerships with global factories

Partnered with vendors and planners to assure proper merchandise assortment for stores transforming the winter business into a viable profitable category within 18 months. Managed daily category activities including sales analysis, trending, forecasting, and responding to the continuous shifting in marketplace and consumer buying patterns. Developed the private label Sims snowboard brand into a meaningful national brand, working directly with Chinese factories and internal company divisions through all aspects from product development to in-store merchandising and branding. Increased total annual sales 7% and 250Bps better margin rate while reducing stores in a volatile retail time; national recession and no snow economy. Developed quarterly and yearly strategies to achieve profitability and growth in all business groups. Monitored new store openings; allocate the proper assortment to new stores. Participated in floor sets, interact with visual team to ensure merchandise presentations are applicable at all store levels. Promoted 90% of managed teams to advanced positions within the company within their first year.

Successful Buyer for multi-store, award winning Outdoor Winter Industry retailer procuring, planning, and merchandising sku heavy categories seeking enhanced GM opportunities. Worked directly with stores and vendors to develop pre-season plans, assortments, and pricing strategies. Supported the pioneering of the company’s first online business. Developed a counter seasonal outdoor business to the existing ski and snowboard business leveling out the income seasonal swing to a more sustainable level. (Contributing 10% growth to overall business in outdoor categories.) Developed and trained 14 store managers. Managed over 50 off site events and sales working side-by-side store manager and directly with consumers staying in touch with “what matters”. Regionalized assortments based on customers need across North America. Worked extensively with Buying Groups and helped create “sales programs” for vendors.