OPINION L-R: Sara Allbright, Anna Berry, Neil Amer and Elaine Hooper
Turning traditional consultancy on its head Retail100 is a new retail consultancy with a difference. Gifts Today finds out more from the four founders
8 Gifts Today
Anna was head of buying for Gifts, Cook and Dine at John Lewis with a team of 60-plus and sales of close to £400 million. With more than 33 years of retail experience - both shop floor and head office - she has covered many buying categories in Menswear, Sport, Fashion and Beauty. A driven leader, Anna is strategically agile and known for her passion for people and product, with trust and mentoring at the heart of her leadership style.
and bettering their own businesses, while offering expert and professional guidance. We take a very hands-on approach with all matters, working to ensure that clients are given the personal attention and consideration required to make meaningful change. One size does not fit all; every solution is hand-crafted and uniquely tailored for each different case.
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Why did you decide to launch a consultancy? Following the recent restructure at John Lewis, we felt the time was right to use our collective experience and go out on our own. At John Lewis we spent much of our time working collaboratively with suppliers and advising them on their assortments and how we could work well together. We felt there was a gap in the market to provide advice across a wide range of categories, given our experience. Tell us a bit about Retail100. The Retail100 brand is an approachable and very ‘human’ company. We seek to make our clients feel involved in the process of growing
We have a passion for helping others learn and grow effectively within the retail world
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What are your backgrounds? With 100 years of retail experience between them, founders Neil Amer, Sara Allbright, Elaine Hooper and Anna Berry have a wide range and depth of knowledge. Neil spent 17 years at John Lewis & Partners, working as a senior merchandiser across a multitude of categories. He is driven by people: leadership, trust and coaching are at the heart of his approach to unlock potential. Sara, a senior buyer, spent 18 years in Home covering many accessories areas before focusing on Seasonal and Gifting. She has specialised in brand relationships and growing small emerging brands into market leaders. Sara is also experienced in own label sourcing across multiple categories and countries. Elaine, a senior buyer, has 36 years of retail experience including 32 years at John Lewis. As a result, she has exceptional customer-facing skills. Categories and roles covered include space planning, project proposition lead, and senior buyer in Seasonal, Toys, Beauty and Home categories. Elaine is skilled in end-to-end strategy, licence and private label product development, sourcing and maximising brand potential.
retail world. We strive to work with and alongside - our clientele, offering meaningful and relevant strategy and advice through clear communication and tailored solutions. As consultants, judgement is never clouded by subjectivity, which in turn allows for more effective, innovative solutions. Our purpose is to drive sustainable and profitable growth. Our approach is based on the belief that there is a better way to do business. Our aim is to make you look good. Retail100 is the consultancy that cares. That’s what makes us different.
How can readers contact you to find out more? What services do you offer? They can contact us through our Retail100’s approach is to focus on website at six key areas within a retail business www.retail100consulting.co.uk or via strategy; buying; merchandising; retailer LinkedIn at insight and retail navigation; coaching, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ training and culture; and tools and retail100-consulting or email us at toolkits - and each of the founders Hello@retail100consulting.co.uk. brings their key skills to the mix. What sets you apart from other consultancy businesses? We have a passion for helping others learn and grow effectively within the
