My Retail Story

Entry Level in Retail …

Work in retail, sales floor kind of fun experience as well as it is another way of interacting with many people. As a person I would love to talk and share ideas with people and like to know their ideology. It was in 2009 (Age 21) When first I started my career as sales person at ODEL PVT LTD. During my Frist one month I have realized that Sales and marketing, Customer service is a vast subject to learn also I knew there are more opportunity in this industry which will open new doors for my career. In my one-year work with ODEL I have managed to accomplished Many highest sales transactions and achieved employee of the month. Consecutively achieved Department targets. I am glade to say my Line managers and supervisors always there to train me and guide me through this journey, they were friendly and very supportive leaders.

Retail Detour ..

As a result of collective knowledge that I gathered past year, I have got the new job opportunity to move in to United Arab Emirates in year 2010 June. That opportunity was from well-known company called MH Alshaya Co. L.L.C under Brand called payless shoesource. Working abroad so exciting at the same it is challenging task. My biggest challenge was working together with multi nationalities since they come from different cultures and they carried deferent work behaviors. However, in first two month I have learned about my team and determined what my customer base are. Frist three month I been with lot of sales seminars and online training programs by the company, it was so exciting for person like me who is hungry for knowledge and seeking things to learn. I could say facing training tools are very important enhance knowledge about building sales conversations and determine what customer looking for, as well as achieve expected number of sales. However, as result of gathering and facing sales training I managed to close very effective sales bills, effective Add-on & cross selling transactions. Many times My showroom result mentioned by Alshaya New Letter as Highest sales of quarter and year, highest Add-on Sale Store. I am happy to mentioned my Assistant manager and manager they were very much appreciative and helpful, they always recognized what my talents are. In my successful 4 years’ end, Company promoted me as an assistant manager and appointed to new store in Abu Dhabi. There I have learned how to lift up people moral and personalities by giving responsibilities. Coaching team on the sales floor, solving complex situations with customers. Being in management I realized how to be mentor to staff how to be leader.

Back to Motherland ..

2018 (Age 30) I have decided to move back to my mother land due to many uncompleted family responsibilities. There I have joined with Miniso Lanka Pvt Ltd as a Showroom manager. Actually it was easy move because of abroad sales and management knowledge that I have gathered in past 8 Years. I have involved with Company compliances and new training sessions, successfully managed open showrooms in other areas. In 2019 company has promoted me as Senior manager and I have managed two outlets with highest satisfaction. However, 2020 with pandemic company announced their closure plan. It was turning point of my career as next job opportunity was in E-commerce Industry as a Product manager.

Work as an E-Commerce manager and product manager.

I believe there are always job Opportunities, career opportunities behind the one who willing to expend their knowledge. During the pandemic I have got an opportunity from Wonder Ceylon Company. Company managed by Chinses management and subsidiary of well-known SF Logistic in china. It was challenging position and I find Fun to work as product manager at the same time work as E-commerce manager. I would say different between Off line sales and online sales is the way we interact with customers. However, I have managed to give wider view to platform and able to get more people awareness towards APP. I have achieved 70% sales uplift against 2019. Successfully conducted product exhibitions. Managed to increase number of product suppliers and able to increase Oversea shipments which will be benefits for chain of company. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka Government Announced the restrictions about import and increased government tax percentage. Due to this sudden government announcement company decided to closure their App and future shipments.

Back to Abroad..

2022 I have decided move to oversee since Sri Lanka facing bad economic crises. I’ve got an opportunity to work in Papua New Guinea as Retail Manager in FMCG, this opportunity brought to me by Godwit Pacific Limited. however, opportunity not so challenging, working in Papua New Guinea is kind of going backward in time. Many of operations seems old retail style. I believe during my time here I may able to do major changes and add value to my postion.

Story to be continued...