Europe - Notes from John Collins
Week 4 was a disappointing week on Made to Measure as we only did 67% of last year and we can thank a part time store for that, who did 57% of the area total. Ready to Wear on the other hand was very good with sales of 138% over last year, this shows that customers were around and that the new ranges are attracting them in to our area.
The branches that I visited last week all looked well stocked with nice displays showing a lighter spring look to them. As is typical of this time of year, I understand that we are a little over stocked at the moment with very little extra space to put that extra stock. Here are a few suggestions that other Managers have used to help them with their space problem.
- Ask Aafes if you can have a little stock room space for a short period.
- If you have an extra cross bar that goes in a back bay you could take down a back wall display and put the iron bar up for a ready-made range.
If anybody else has a suggestion please let us know.
So how did the individual branches do?
WEEK 4 Full time branches:
- No 1 Stuttgart: Vince Blackett With a remarkable 217% of last year. Fantastic Vince and that was with a visit to Italy at the start of the week. Vince brought back with him $2079 made to measure trade from Aviano - the whole area only did $3714 so we can all thank Vince that our made to measure sales were not more disastrous. In total, Vince came back with just under $10000.
- No 2 Ramstein: Geoff Heath and Rob Miller Also with a remarkable 198% of last year. Excellent job by Geoff covering Trevor’s relief while he is on holiday and Rob.
- No 3 Kaiserslautern: Leigh Poulton, Geoff Heath and John Collins 137% of last year. Once again well done to all three.
- No 4 Lakenheath: Gary Bloom 126% of last year. Gary was complaining of very little footfall but still turned in the fourth best over all performance. Well done Gary.
- No 5 Wiesbaden: Geoff Berry and Rob Miller. 92% of last year. Whilst they did not beat last year - they came very close, another good week considering that most of the troops are away. Well done Geoff and Rob
Well done to you all. Now is the time to look at your shop and see if you can change anything to attract more attention as we are now well into Spring, change the displays around lighten the shop up with the new ranges that we have in. Keep those displays looking new each week.
The 50% off made to measure promotion is now on, so let’s see those figures rolling in.
Thank you, good luck, and good trading.
John Collins
ASM
EXCITING OVERSEAS JOB OPPORTUNITY - BERMUDA, SUMMER 2008
The name Alexandre, London is synonymous with style and elegance in men’s ready to wear and made to measure suits throughout the UK, Europe and the USA.
Whilst we generally employ people based within concessions on American and European bases we also have a successful civilian outlet in Bermuda. Based in an English Sports Shop and situated directly opposite where Cruise Ships enter Bermuda we are currently looking for the following type of person to join our current team.
ASSISTANT MANAGER – BERMUDA
We are looking for a committed, driven person to be part our highly successful team in Bermuda.
Ideally you will need to have current experience as a Concession Manager in a large store, possess strong leadership skills and a real desire to develop yourself. You will also be of very smart appearance, probably single and have the right qualities to enable you to live abroad. Full training will be provided to enable you to carry out this job to your maximum potential.
This opportunity will provide the successful candidate with great opportunities to gain both working and real life experience whilst at the same time receiving a highly competitive salary plus commission, assistance with travel and a generous holiday entitlement.
If you are interested in the above position then initially please contact Ben Lucas, Human Resources Dept, BMB Clothing Ltd, Granary Building, 1 Canal Wharf, Leeds LS11 5BB. Tel: 0113 2595637.
Closing Date: 2nd May 2008
