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Karol Kalmar

@karolkalmar

Commercial and retail operations professional at AVAD Baltic and adidas who developed store merchandising strategies and reporting frameworks.

Lithuania

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking for a commercially driven role where I can use my international experience, analytical mindset, and operational approach to help build and grow a business in Lithuania and beyond.

At AVAD Baltic, I developed store-level merchandising and assortment strategies for Apple partner networks across the Baltic region. I also created reporting frameworks and dashboards that supported business reviews and strategic decisions.

At adidas Group, I developed seasonal franchise assortments across East European markets and worked with retail teams on launches, campaigns, and store execution. As Franchise Manager for Hungary & Slovakia, I managed franchise business performance and supported store openings and remodels.

I'm currently leading the creative direction of Young Painter Prize, an international contemporary art competition and exhibition project. I coordinate exhibition production, suppliers, budgets, and logistics, drawing on my experience in retail environments, visual merchandising, and museology.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Creative Director

Current

Young Painter Prize

Apr 2025 - Present (1 year 6 months)

Lead creative direction for an international art competition and exhibition, developing visual concepts and managing budgets, suppliers, and on-site logistics.

Creative Direction Brand Expression Visual Concepts exhibition planning Budget Management Supplier Coordination Project Management

Apple Retail Sales Operations Manager

AVAD Baltic

Jul 2023 - Sep 2025 (2 years 2 months)

Led retail optimisation initiatives across Apple partner networks in the Baltic region, developing merchandising strategies and reporting frameworks to improve commercial performance.

Retail Operations Merchandising Assortment Planning Sales Analytics Reporting Partnership Management Product Launch

Merchandising Manager Central & Eastern Europe

adidas Group

Aug 2020 - Dec 2022 (2 years 4 months)

Developed seasonal franchise assortments across East European markets, translating consumer insights and sales data into retail strategies and supporting store openings and remodels.

Merchandising Assortment Planning Retail Strategy Sales Analysis Category Management Store Development Franchise Management

Franchise Manager Hungary & Slovakia

adidas Group

Jan 2016 - Jul 2020 (4 years 6 months)

Managed franchise business performance across Hungary and Slovakia, building partner relationships, implementing retail processes, and supporting store openings and remodels.

Franchise Management Partner Relationship Management Retail Operations Training Visual Merchandising Customer Experience Team Leadership

Team Leader Visual Merchandiser Hungary & Slovakia

adidas Group

Jan 2014 - Dec 2015 (1 year 11 months)

Led a team of five visual merchandisers, implementing seasonal campaigns and visual merchandising strategies, and ensuring compliance with brand standards across two countries.

Visual Merchandising Team Leadership Campaign implementation Store Planning Training Retail Audits

Visual Merchandiser

adidas Group

Sep 2011 - Dec 2013 (2 years 3 months)

Created commercially effective store environments, executed visual merchandising concepts, and supported store teams with product knowledge and retail training.

Visual Merchandising product placement Customer Flow Management Store Standards Campaign Execution Training

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Comenius University in Bratislava

Graduate, Museology and Cultural Heritage

2009 - 2012

Graduate in Museology and Cultural Heritage, with coursework in exhibition design, spatial planning, visitor experience, material culture, and visual communication.