1. PROFILE – Gary Armstrong
Experienced dynamic and passionate Merchandiser with strong merchandising skills gained in a fast
paced moving retail environment controlling over 300 stores. Experienced in leading trend focused
team and providing strategic direction for ranges, whilst maximising sales and profit contribution.
Effectively manages team performance and strives for continuous improvement.
Now seeking a role within a dynamic and progressive company where enthusiasm, dedication and the
ability to manage tasks effectively are prerequisite in driving the organisation forward.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
July 14 – Current
Peter Black footwear & accessories – Li & Fung
Senior Merchandiser – I manage a Jewellery concession in Dunnes stores dealing with everything
from planning the range and controlling the stocks from the factories down to store level and
In season stock control including markdowns and terminal stock levels . I have 115 stores to control. I
am the sole contact for Dunnes head office dealing with any issues from store problems to fixture
repairs. I also deal with the in-store merchandising team and co-ordinate the daily running of this
service.
Oct 13 – Dec 13
TJ Hughes – Fashion and homewares
Senior Merchandiser – Directly on the following departments Ladieswear, Beauty & Fragrance,
Luggage & Kidswear but I also overseen Menswear, Footwear & Accessories.
Feb 12 – Oct 13
The original factory shop – Fashion and homewares
Senior Merchandiser – Directly on the following Accessories, kidswear, nightware and lingerie then
moved on to gardening, homewares and pets.
July 11 – Feb 12
Heatons stores – Fashion, Homewaresand Sportswear
Senior Merchandiser – Menswear & Childrenswear
I am a senior merchandiser on menswear and childrenswear. On my team I have 2 trainee
merchandisers which I control.
I have set up core line plans for all volume lines on both my areas and I also changed the intake at
style level to monthly deliveries to help stock turn and to also increase stock availability in stores
down to size.
We have just implemented a new WSSI system called maple lake.
October 10 – April 11
TJ Hughes – Fashion and homewares
Senior Merchandiser – Menswear, Men’s Accessories and branded men’s footwear.
I am a senior merchandiser on the largest budgeted department in TJ Hughes. On my team I have 1
merchandiser, 2 junior merchandisers and 2 allocators which I control.
As TJ Hughes works on 100% allocated stock to stores, I have changed the process of placing new
orders and replenishment to maximise sales and reduce stock holding. On the departments I
completed we saw an increase of 10% and +40% at line level . A significant part of the success was
changing from ratio packs to single allocation by size and colour.

2. I was also successful in achieving my new planned stock target by reducing menswear stock holding
by 20% within 4 months through trading sales, markdowns/promotions and cancellations.
July- October 2010- unemployed
March 10 – July 10
ASDA - Home and Leisure (Retailer) Leeds
Merchandise planner – Audio Electrical
I am a merchandise planner working in a very fast pace environment which is currently going through
changes in day-to-day processes and systems.
I have completed the Asda internal training programme which has been intense but compulsory to
complete and pass for all new starters.
I am a merchandise planner on Small Audio, Large Audio, Apple Ipods and accessories, Mp3 & 4
players, Mp3 & 4 accessories, Audio accessories, Vision accessories, Satellite navigation systems,
Mini and midi systems, Docking stations, Blank media, Usb and storage,
 Control P&L (Profit and Loss) through close analysing of daily sales at line level on all
categories.
 Complete history and re-forecast 2010/2011 sales, stock, margin and Markdown on a system
called RPAS which is the new WISSI system asda have upgraded to.
 In 3 months I have reduced a 1 million overstock to a -250k to total stock budget and
department has still over achieving sales and GP plan by Sales = +32% retail GP £ +57%
retail £, this was achieved after analysing the last 2 years performance on all electrical
departments at category level and line level then switching sales and space to Audio and
 Vision accessories which is at a much higher margin which helped the sales margin mix due
to the low average achieved margin on electrical products. I also utilised the up-turn in
electronic trade during the world cup to increase units sales by 100% through strategic
markdowns and promotions.
 Analyse by line level July to December on all of my areas and then highlighted what risks and
opportunities the department has for this period with Christmas trade included.
 Created stability and confidence in my team members through this very demanding time.
August 08- end of February 10
Au Naturale / Ethel Austin (Retailer) Liverpool
Senior Merchandiser – Homewares
I have been Senior Merchandiser on the following departments since working for Au Naturale
Candles, Perfume, Jewellery, Cosmetics, Storage, Stationary, Art and canvas, Gifts, Decoration,
Christmas and Kitchen.
Controlling Budget total PA £20-30 Million
 Plan and co-ordinate the company systems merger and head office relocation.
 Recruit a new team of 4 Merchandise assistants, 4 allocators and 2 buying assistants.
 Train all new and existing team members on the systems so the team are ready for the
systems merger to enable the company to continue trading with least disruption as possible.
 4Complete a systems training manual, which is clear and easy to follow for any future and
existing employees.
 Check that all 6000 live Sku`s are scanning correct on the new system at the correct sell
price and Margin.
 Re – Phase all existing orders and split down individual order quantities to help manage and
control the company’s cash flow to maximise sales potential by better intake planning and
flow of stock through the business.

3.  Plan a new merchandise strategy that will optimise the profitability of designated product area
and analysing in detail the profitability of each department down to line level in order to take
action and close areas not working for the business and then use this money in core areas
the business to drive it forward.
 Reviewing margin opportunities in all areas of the business by looking at departmental
performance for the company.
 All other duties are as per below information
April 2008- August 2008 Unemployed
August 99-April 08
Ethel Austin (Retailer) Liverpool
Senior Merchandiser –Ladies, Men’s and Kids Footwear
I have been Senior Merchandiser on the following departments Men’s Outerwear, Men’s Hosiery,
Men’s Nightwear, Men’s Underwear, Kids Hosiery, Kids Underwear, Kids Nightwear, Xmas,
Household and Electrical, Ladies Hosiery, Ladies Accessories.
 Plan a merchandise strategy that will optimise the profitability of designated product area
 Working close with the buyer on range ideas and planning space accordingly to maximise £
per footage and produce a directional and exciting range that the customer wants.
 Set KPI’S with Buyer in terms of sales, margin, intake, stock turn, markdown and terminal
stock position.
 Translate KPI’s into a range framework which is commercial.
 Plan stock position to deliver sales and store stock requirement
 Maximise opportunities and minimise risk of dept by monitoring actual performance versus
plan and last year and take action where necessary.
 Manage intake reviewing phasing, despatches, and warehouse and store level requirements.
 Accurate forecasting of markdown spend, terminal stock projections through Wssi
management.
 Effective modular space management and planning.
 All other duties are as per below information.
 Cross-functional working e.g. retail, warehousing, marketing and finance to achieve KPI’s.
 Supply base management reviewing margin opportunities and intake risk to maximise dept
performance.
 Coach, Motivate, develop and appraise team from Allocator to Junior Merchandiser level.
 Deputise for Head of Merchandising when necessary.
 Plan and control the company’s promotions and advertising schedule.
 Develop strategy taking into account historical performance and market conditions.
 Deliver pricing strategy in line with competition whilst achieving margin targets.
 Markdown management – minimise markdown spend but use the most appropriate sales
vehicle to clear stock also planning at store level from bottom up to plan the seasons grading
for stores looking at key indicators eg markdown cost, percentage of markdown to sales, £
per foot, sales v LY and PLAN all at store and product level to help minimise markdown and
maximise the stores performance by giving the store the correct mix of product.
 In depth knowledge of customer and develop customer led culture regularly attend customer
feedback sessions.
 Manage supply base (Far East /European and Brands) through production planning, stock
phasing and take management.
 Manage open to buy to optimise sales and stock turn performance and flex supply base in
order to deliver product on time to achieve sales targets.
Systems used at Ethel Austin
 AS400 - This produces sales and stock information, historical information and replenishment
 Compass - WSSI, Strategy/planning and builder/buyer for raising orders and phasing
planning

4.  Microsoft office - all applications
 Lotus notes - E-mail
Ethel Austin (Retailer) Liverpool
August 99 – August 01
Assistant Merchandiser – Childrenswear
 Range planning and assist in preparation of seasonal product budget process.
 Identify and monitor sales performance of markdown lines in order to reduce
Terminal Stock.
 Wissi Management
 Work cross functionally with allocation/ marketing/ imports/ store gradings and new
store opening teams to ensure optimum stock levels.
 Production planning of volume core lines
 Produce weekly and seasonal Best and Worst Sellers analysis
 Prepare and present weekly trading
 Critical Path Management
 Propose markdown scenarios
 Daily in Depth store analysis
 Analysis on product and range performance
Allocator - Boyswear, Girlswear, Kids Hosiery, Footwear Men’s, Ladiesand kids
 Setting levels on system ready to allocate stock on arrival.
 Understanding the replenishment system
 Look at weekly sales best sellers
 Identify and monitor store sales and cover on a daily basis by range and product.
 Update and manage levels from markdown/promotion action taken or sales trends
 Assist assistant when needed
 Top and Bottom 50 stores report
 Progressing
 Store contact for stock allocations
Personal Achievements
One of my personal achievements at Ethel Austin is that since I was promoted to Merchandiser
I have achieved my bonus gross profit and sales targets every year on every department I have
managed, except this year due to redundancy so the last 6 years I have achieved the company
targets and achieved a profit related bonus each year. I am a driver for results and I am very
passionate about my work and take my work very personally and professionally. I am a great team
member who likes to have a good working relationship with my team and all other members of the
company, I am very easy going and enjoy a good atmosphere on my department which I think helps
keeps everyone motivated and obtain the best results possible which I have proven in my 7 years as
merchandiser. I was also on a retention & loyalty contract at Ethel Austin so this showed how valuable
the company thought I was to them and in the contract was substantial pay increases every 6 months
up until 31-1-2009.

5. Lloyds TSB Bank 1993 - 1998
TRAINEE BRANCH MANAGER
 I worked for Lloyds bank and started off doing the administration work which entails
processing the cheques, credits and debits to the customers accounts and the balancing the
accounts back to the days intake.
April 96 – August 98
 I then worked my way up through the bank and at the time it I was the fastest employer for 20
years to make trainee branch manager I done a lot of the required training in my own time, I
also worked as a cashier, direct debits, customer services, foreign exchange and cash
machines and was a branch key holder so I was first in and last out, then I was in charge of
the branch premier customers who took low risk investments. I invested about £1.5 million a
week for the clients using off shore accounts obtaining the best rate for their interest for the
time limit they wish to invest.
 I was then promoted to trainee manager of Lloyds bank Allerton Road branch I then had
control of the student accounts as part of the training and learned the other investment areas
of banking including mortgages and loans for personal or commercial customers
Extracurricular Achievement
I was a semi professional golfer when I was 16 year old
I also have a full clean driving licence and have my own car.
Awards received
I have completed the advanced Excel course and passed
I have completed a training course called Go - Mad (go make a difference) this course cost around
£3000 and was about how your actions and thoughts can sometimes be a hindrance to what you want
to achieve, this course helped give me the tools to help me plan and achieve targets I set myself in
work and personal situations. This gives a NVQ level qualification.
I have also done internal training courses though the years such as time management, people
development, negotiation techniques, word and basic excel etc.
GCSE LEVEL
A - Maths
A - Art & Design
B - English literature
B - English Language
2 x B - Science dual award
B - Media Studies
B - History of Art
C - History
C - French
A - LEVEL
Art and Design - B
NVQ LEVEL 3 - equal to 2 a levels

6. Business and Administration
1 year advanced course
Education
Ruffwood Comprehensive school 1986 -1991
Prescot Art College 1991 - 1992
Future training scheme at Girobank 1992 - 1993