David Otani

Finding, designing, building, and managing retail stores.

AI POWERED INNOVATIONS IN SUSTAINABLE FIBRES

Provide strategic consultancy with retail system assessments, selections, and implementations.

• Merchandise planning and analysis • Inventory management / Open to buy • System selection and implementation • Determining business capabilities and requirements

OTANI8 are builders and fixers of direct-to-consumer channels. We are a turn-key solution for companies that want profitable stores, kiosks, pop-up shops, and ecommerce businesses. • Open new brick-and-mortar locations. Market studies, site selection, lease negotiations, store design, build-out management, hiring staff, operations setup / training, and reporting. • Manage the selection and implementation of new systems: ERP, POS, OMS, WMS. Develop system selection criterion, capabilities / requirements, garner user acceptance, set up test environment, create roll-out plan, oversee cutover to new system. • Manage new product extensions that sponsor brand’s DNA. Assist with design, vendor selection, pricing, and marketing for launch. • Activity-based management. Instruct companies on how to manage performance through KPIs. Metric creation, reporting of actual performance, and methods on how to improve performance. Notable Companies: MoMA, Crocs, Kit and Ace, Baldwin Jeans, BCBG, Outerstuff, Tomorrow Sleep, Herschel Supply Company, Asics, NBA, Iconix, Urban Brands, Danskin, Harvard Investment Capital, Ecko, Marimekko.

• Oversee the roll-out of the brick-and-mortar channel with locations in regional shopping centers. Develop and manage site selection, store buildouts, lease negotiations, staffing, operating structures, merchandise planning, store management, systems, KPI’s, and P&L management. • Reduced capex by 50%. • Reduced store opening timeline by 4 weeks.

Advise enterprise clients on omni-channel strategy, retail systems selection, and implementation. Lead project management across system architecture, budgeting, and UAT processes.

Provide advisory services to DTC and retail brands focused on profitability and growth. Specialize in merchandising, planning, and operational optimization. Clients included MoMA, Crocs, Kit and Ace, Baldwin Jeans, BCBG, Herschel, Asics, NBA, LVMH, NYDJ, Amazing Savings, Ole Smokey.

Founded and scaled company-owned retail division to 5 locations. Led site selection, lease negotiations, store design, construction, and hiring. Developed merchandising strategy across owned and licensed brands. Achieved 23% four-wall profitability and exceeded profit targets by 40%. Introduced award-winning store design concept.

Created company store division which currently operates over 30 locations. Selected sites, negotiated leases, designed store, manage construction, and staffed first 5 locations Developed merchandising plans levering all in-house brands and licensed categories, creating a compelling brand and value story. Stores had a 4-wall profit of 23%. Exceeded profit goals by 40%. Won new store design concept.

Improved EBITDA from -4% to +12%. Led turnaround across ecommerce, full-price, and outlet channels. Restructured store portfolio and expanded outlet presence by 35 stores. Aligned product, pricing, and promotional strategies across channels.

Oversee planning, distribution, and real estate operations for both Retail and Company Store Divisions. Divisional Senior Vice President – Direct-to-Consumer | 2008 – 2010 Oversaw the re-organization and profit growth in Ecommerce, Full-Priced Stores and Outlet Store channels of distribution. • Restructured full-priced portfolio and opened 35 new outlet stores. • Managed store operations, buying, planning, allocations, real estate and construction teams. • Implemented a strategic product, promotion, and pricing relationship between channels, maximizing brand awareness and profits. • Designed and implemented new reports and reporting process shared weekly amongst teams sponsoring collaboration and creating profit opportunities. • Restructured corporate staffing roles and responsibilities creating an entrepreneurial environment with accountability. • Implemented a cost-saving, productivity-improving store staffing program that encouraged teamwork and improved talent development. • Oversaw the introduction of new products, ensuring adherence to branding and financial requirements.

Managed the planning and allocations teams for channel of 50 stores with sales over $100M, Kenneth Cole Company stores. Install new planning and distribution processes. Part of a new administration responsible to making the Company Store division a stand-alone, verticle, profitable business unit. • Created and implemented an open-to-buy tool that improved forecasting accuracy, reduced markdowns, and improved inventory turn. •Developed a new allocation model that improved sales, margins, and sell-thru.

Managed planning and allocation for $100M+ business across 50 stores. Developed forecasting and allocation tools improving margins and sell-through. Increased inventory turns from 2.5x to 4.6x.