Nicola Austin

Executed merchandising strategies, forecasted sales and profit targets, and utilized data-driven insights to identify risks, opportunities, and product trends. Prepared and analyzed reports, monitored collection sales, forecasted promotions, and set financial targets for collections, including quarterly re-forecasts.

Developed seasonal merchandise strategies and budgets, analyzed portfolio performance, and drove financial targets such as gross profit, stock turn, and sell-through. Oversaw OTB, inventory, aged stock, markdowns, promotions, range sign-offs, quantification, and size curves with regular reporting.

Delivered personalized styling advice and attentive service to customers, handling transactions, special orders, and after-sales support with professionalism. Assisted with visual merchandising to enhance the shopping experience.

Provided an exceptional in-store experience, offering personalized customer service. Handled stock deliveries, restocking, and customer queries efficiently.

Generated regular and ad hoc reports on product performance, sales, promotions, and attributes for senior management and store impact. Analyzed sales impacts, forecasted using OTB/WISSI, planned stock levels and promotions, and reviewed new ranges and size curves.

Provided individualized customer service while maintaining brand standards. Completed stock take, stock deliveries, visual merchandising, till procedures, and customer orders.

Delivered tailored skincare consultations and built strong rapport with customers. Supported retail operations, including stock management and till procedures.

Led the IMS Data for the first Microsoft Dynamics AX D365 Stock System, managing a team of six accountable for 60k+ SKUs data collection and seamless cutover to a new system. Managed seasonal brand forecasting OTB, weekly WISSI, liaising with buyers, and managing replenishment or stock swaps.

Maintained and built relationships with Press and Stylists for constant editorial coverage in National Press. Assisted the organization of Seasonal Events and Projects, and launched three social media accounts to connect with consumers.

Responsible for the overall day-to-day process, maintaining and creating content for online products, importing data, uploading new stock, prices, categories, visual merchandising, and customer service. Assisted with e-commerce photoshoots.

Completed a program focused on UX/UI Design principles and practices. Gained skills in user experience research, interface design, and prototyping.

Undertook a comprehensive Diploma of Business, covering core business principles and practices. Developed skills in management, and marketing.

Achieved a Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail, focusing on retail operations, merchandising, and customer service within the fashion industry. Gained practical knowledge of retail environments.

Completed A Levels, demonstrating academic proficiency in various subjects. Developed strong analytical and critical thinking skills.