Sara Allbright, Elaine Hooper, Neil Amer and Anna Berry share a century of retail experience
A century of retail experience gives the new Retail100 Consulting team a solid background to help clients maximise their potential – and with former John Lewis card and gift buyer Sara Allbright on board expertise on the greeting cards front is part of the mix.
Working with her fellow co-founders, Sara, Neil Amer, Anna Berry and Elaine Hooper have all clocked up years of experience at the John Lewis Partnership at senior levels including head of buying, senior buyers and senior merchandiser across greeting cards, gifting, homeware, seasonal and beauty, and they have a multitude of insights to offer.
“We have a passion for helping others learn and grow effectively within the retail world,” Sara told PG Buzz. “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.
“The Retail100 brand is an approachable and very human company. We seek to make our clients feel involved in the process of growing 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.”
Retail100’s approach is to focus on six key areas within a retail business – strategy; buying; merchandising; retailer insight and retail navigation; coaching, training and culture; and tools and toolkits – and each of the founders brings their key skills to the mix.
The company has already been working with trade shows and customers across the greeting card industry, with Sara producing the A Buyer’s Life: Top Tips On What Both Buyers And Suppliers Need For Success video for Spring Fair, which can be viewed below.
With more than 18 years of buying experience as senior buyer in gifting, seasonal, home fragrance and decorative accessories, Sara has specialised in brand relationships and growing small emerging brands into market leaders, and is also experienced in own label sourcing across multiple categories and countries. Things that make her happy are the cinema, plants, travel, eating out and a new pair of shoes.
Neil has over 17 years of head office retail experience, merchandising across a multitude of categories and working with major global brands to help them deliver lasting results while driving category performance. He is skilled in negotiation, planning and supply chain management, and loves nothing more than a spreadsheet along with running, cooking, travel and podcasts.
As head of buying for gifts, cook and dine at JLP, Anna has been in retail for more than 33 years and is also skilled in mentoring and interviewing at senior level as well as being JL’s lead on diversity and inclusion, and in supplier management. She loves watching and playing sport, reading, travel, and anything by The Eagles.
Having started in retail straight from school, Elaine’s 36 years in the business have given her exceptional customer-facing skills while categories and roles covered include space planning, project proposition lead, private label and major brand development, and senior buyer in seasonal, beauty and home. Things that make Elaine happy are sunny days, exercise, cake, the countryside and, above all else, dogs.
Top: Experienced team – Retail100 co-founders and directors (from left) Neil Amer, Sara Allbright, Elaine Hooper and Anna Berry
