Dweet
Dweet
Open to Permanent
Open to Permanent

Zafer Karakus

Store Director
5.0 (1 review)
About

With 25 years in luxury retail, including 20 at Prada, I've excelled in sales growth and customer experience. Skilled in strategic planning, merchandising, and team management, I thrive in high-end fashion environments and am adaptable to diverse retail settings.

Previous Brands
Selfridges
Avanti Bistro Bar Cafe
Prada Group
Bally
Work Experience
Store Director
Oct ‘23 - May ‘24
Avanti Bistro Bar Cafe

I have been working with my family, a rewarding and fulfilling experience during a challenging personal time. As I supported my daughter through her ACL injury and rehabilitation, I have gained a deeper appreciation for both resilience and determination in both my personal and professional life. My daughter is now rehabilitated, and I am excited to use my years of experience to make an impact in a new role.

Airport Area Manager
Mar ‘08 - Oct ‘23
Prada Group

Successfully led the opening of Prada store at Heathrow Terminal 5 and oversaw three refurbishments during my tenure • Profit & Loss: Managed P&L for the operational unit with a turnover of ~£8m, driving profitability through effective budgeting, forecasting and cost management. • Financial Performance: Analysed financial statements to identify trends and variances; implemented corrective actions to optimise financial performance and enhance revenue streams (up sell). • Team Leadership: Supervised a diverse team of 14 colleagues, fostering a high-performance culture through mentorship, training and regular performance reviews to achieve individual and team objectives. • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated cross-functionally with central support teams to deliver best in class experience for customers and colleagues. • Strategic Planning: Contributed to long-term operational strategies and risk management plans, aligning operational objectives with organisational goals and trends, with particular specialism in new store openings. • Performance Metrics: Established and monitored KPI’s to track productivity, operational efficiency, and service quality, providing regular reports to central senior management.

Concessions Manager
Oct ‘04 - Mar ‘08
Prada Group

Led all aspects of the Prada concessions, including sales management, staff supervision, and customer service, ensuring exceptional brand representation and adherence to company standards. • Drove sales performance by developing and implementing strategies to maximize revenue, exceed targets, and capitalize on business opportunities. • Recruited, trained, and mentored a team of sales associates, fostering a culture of excellence and providing ongoing support to ensure customer satisfaction and achieve sales goals. • Maintained strong relationships with clients and partners, representing the Prada brand with professionalism and integrity to drive brand loyalty and repeat business. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and merchandising, to execute promotional initiatives, optimize product placement, and enhance the overall shopping experience. • Monitored inventory levels, conducted regular stock audits, and implemented effective inventory management strategies to minimize shrinkage and ensure product availability.

Sale assistant
Oct ‘03 - Oct ‘04
Prada Group

Assisted customers in selecting and purchasing merchandise, providing personalized service and styling advice to meet their needs and preferences. • Maintained a clean and organized sales floor, ensuring that products are properly displayed and stocked to enhance the shopping experience. • Processed transactions accurately and efficiently using point-of-sale (POS) systems, handling cash, credit card payments, and exchanges according to company policies. • Built rapport with customers to foster long-term relationships and drive repeat business, actively engaging with clients to promote new arrivals, promotions, and events. • Collaborated with team members to achieve sales targets and contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. • Stay updated on product knowledge, including features, benefits, and styling tips, to effectively assist customers and drive sales through product recommendations and styling advice.

Sale assistant
Nov ‘00 - Sep ‘03
Bally

• Provided personalized assistance to customers, helping them select and purchase Bally products while delivering exceptional service and exceeding sales targets. • Maintained a neat and organized sales floor, ensuring that products are properly displayed and stocked to enhance the shopping experience.

Retail Experience
Responsibilities
Greeting
Client Help
CRM
Complaint handling
Aftercare
Storytelling
Styling
Product demos
Client Advising
Upselling
Transactions
Cash register
Returns & Exchanges
Packaging
Inventory control
Product setup
Stockroom management
Delivery processing
Product labelling
Stock control
Store Maintenance
Health & safety
Open/closing store
Languages
Turkish - Native
Education & Training
Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi
‘94 - ‘99
Metalurji Mühendisliği