Shan Kristo

Chief Executive Officer Heritage Lush Premium Wellness

Sri Lanka

About

With 14 years of dynamic experience in retail, my journey began as a sales executive and has evolved into a rewarding career filled with transformative opportunities. Throughout this time, I've had the privilege of working with multiple companies, contributing significantly to their success in various capacities. One of my proudest achievements was leading the UAE expansion of a brand from its inception, opening 14 stores, and managing all aspects of these projects. My expertise spans across retail operations, project management, store & layout designing, marketing, buying & merchandising, finance, legal and government relations, allowing me to approach challenges with a comprehensive skill set. Building businesses is my true passion, I thrive on thinking beyond conventional boundaries, which I believe is the key to my passion. This drive is complemented by the lifelong lessons given by my parents “be humble, never forget those who guided you, extend help to others, respect equally, and always stay grounded while reaching for the sky”

Experience

  • Apparel Group (8 yrs)
    • Sales Manager
      Mar 2022 - Jul 2024 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Leading operations in an amazing off price retail concept and working towards it’s expansion in UAE.

    • Senior Store Manager
      Apr 2020 - Mar 2022 · 2 yrs

      Managing a 14,000 sqft store with over 20 international brands while performing variety of administrative tasks and overseeing staff performance, inventory management, cost control, loss prevention, visual merchandising, customer service and controlling P&L. Also leading in new store openings and involving in layout planning. Prepare annual budget, analyze sales figures and forecast future sales, Initiate effective changes to improve the business growth, maintain awareness of market trends in the retail industry, understanding forthcoming customer initiatives and monitoring what local competitors are doing.

    • Store Manager
      Mar 2018 - Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • NIK Trading L.L.C (1 yr 8 mos)
    • Store Manager
      Jun 2015 - Jun 2016 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Visual Merchandiser
      Nov 2014 - May 2015 · 7 mos

  • Nike ()
    • Visual Merchandiser
      Nov 2012 - Oct 2014 · 2 yrs

      * Organizing the effective and efficient utilization of store space. * Working closely with the management and marketing team to increase sales. * Recommending brand, price point and buying depth strategies. * Working with the VM Manager & sales teams to achieve commercial goals. * Involved in rearranging, re-merchandising & replenishing new stock as it arrives. * Analyzing sales figures and forecasting future sales volumes. * Communicating with other retail channels on overall business plans. * Coordinating store display in line with brand guidelines and strategy. * Delivering weekly floor moves, window installations and mannequin styling. * Translating catalogs & promotions into real designs on the showroom floor * Reporting on mark down strategies, current performance and market trends.

    • Sales Associate
      Oct 2011 - Oct 2012 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Customer Service Executive at Dialog Axiata PLC
    Mar 2009 - Jul 2010 · 1 yr 5 mos

    * Enterprise contact management * Handle customer complaints * Conflict resolution * Fraud management * Examinations and evaluations * Record keeping * First contact resolution

  • Marketing Executive at Fire and Ice (Pvt) LTD
    Jan 2007 - Feb 2009 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    * Prepare & implement localized sales plans to explore new opportunities and improve market share. * Finding customer leads and sharing with the team to make leads into clients * Making proposals and presentations on projects as per customer requirements. * Handling all customer complaints and resolving the queries raised by the customers. * Supervising and handling a team of 10 Salesman & reporting to the Sales Director on their performance and fixing targets and devising strategies to achieve the set targets. * Maintaining customer profile and identifying individual requirements. * Liaison with the Ware house & accounts department * Motivating team members to achieve their targets. * Visiting Key Customers periodically as part of sales leads and relationship development. * Preparing sales proposals for corporate clients. * General office administration.