Noel Knecht
Owner - Self Employed · NK Retail Strategy and Design
San Clemente, CA
In My Own Words
Senior Retail Executive who combines strategic thinking and creativity with an instinct for emerging styles and trends. Well known for devising game-changing strategies that are quickly copied by competing retailers.
Work Experience
Owner - Self Employed
NK Retail Strategy and Design2016 – Present
Continually deliver a winning omni-channel consumer experience to both start-ups and well established retailers. Prioritized localization of a well established San Diego brand through design of their in-store experience, increasing year over year sales by 40%. Gained national media attention through a well planned and executed omni-channel marketing strategy of the same brand.
Director of Marketing - Consultant
OutCo2016 – 2018
6 month contract consulting OutCo on Marketing and Consumer Experience by introducing a fluid Omni-channel experience. Overall responsibility for developing the brand and corporate identity of the San Diego start-up. Successfully developed and managed all online, print and social media campaigns. Monitored and reported on the effectiveness of marketing communications to fellow executives and investors. Maintained effective internal communications to ensure that all relevant cross-functional teams are kept informed of marketing objectives. Analyzed potential strategic partner relationships for the brand, both B2B and B2C.
Global Omni-Channel Marketing Operations
Oakley, Inc.2016 – 2017
Manage the implementation of omni-channel marketing campaigns to enhance the Oakley customer experience. Successfully lead the execution of projects through the management of corporate retail, digital, e-commerce, product, brand, advertising, PR, creative services, finance, etc..
Global Retail and Trade Marketing
Oakley, Inc.2014 – 2016
Responsible for driving the growth of the Oakley portfolio in both Oakley and Luxottica Global retail. Ensured markets adhered to brand positioning. Drove the development of visual merchandising and retail marketing plans in cooperation with the regions. Governed Global brand vision to increase market share and support profitable growth of all product categories.
Global Retail and Trade Marketing
Oakley, Inc.2014 – 2016
Responsible for driving the growth of the Oakley portfolio in both Oakley and Luxottica Global retail. Ensured markets adhered to brand positioning. Drove the development of visual merchandising and retail marketing plans in cooperation with the regions. Governed Global brand vision to increase market share and support profitable growth of all product categories.
Director of Visual Merchandising
Walmart, Inc.2011 – 2014
Deployed a $12 million VM budget to support Walmart's $27B apparel category. Exceeded sales budget by $540 million, profit line by $100 million and inventory turns by 30 basis points via development and execution of new VM strategies. Invented a game-changing bra navigation and merchandising program that drove an additional $60 million additional revenue for the intimate apparel category.
Director of Visual Merchandising
Walmart, Inc.2011 – 2014
Deployed a $12 million VM budget to support Walmart's $27B apparel category. Exceeded sales budget by $540 million, profit line by $100 million and inventory turns by 30 basis points via development and execution of new VM strategies. Invented a game-changing bra navigation and merchandising program that drove an additional $60 million additional revenue for the intimate apparel category.
Director of In-Store Presentation
Walmart, Inc.2008 – 2011
Orchestrated launches of high profile brands including Levi's, Norma Kamali, LEI, Miley Cyrus & Max Azria. Led the development and execution of visual merchandising solutions that supported both Walmart and external brands. Increased sales of Team-Sports apparel by 80% and achieved nationwide consistency for in-store display of local team gear. Developed a men's merchandising strategy that increased fixture and wall capacity by 20%
Senior Manager In-Store Presentation
Walmart, Inc.2007 – 2008
Joined Walmart as a Senior Manager of its first-ever Visual Merchandising team, consisting of 3 senior executives and 25 newly hired “retail stars” who were recruited worldwide. New team was created to reinvigorate Walmart’s brand, improve the customer experience, and expand Walmart into the upper-middle income demographics.
General and Un-assigned District Manager
Banana Republic, Gap Inc.2005 – 2007
Created the overall vision for each store in the district and acted as Merchant-in-Charge on every assignment. Personal leadership resulted in lower shrink rate, more cooperative attitudes, less absenteeism, and increased customer satisfaction (measured by surveys).
District Visual Merchandise Manager
Banana Republic, Gap Inc.1999 – 2005
Increased sales by anticipating trends, listening to customer feedback, and showcasing the right inventory at the right time. Continually merchandised stores based on local customer trends, for example: creatively merchandised inventory in SOHO Manhattan store to appeal to an urban, ultra-hip clientele.
