Avik Dhar

About Avik Dhar

With over two decades of expertise in category management and merchandising, Reliance Retail\'s team benefits from a results-driven approach to strategic planning and product development in the furnishings and decor sector. The role involves steering vendor relationships, optimizing product assortments, and finalizing pricing strategies to align with market trends and consumer preferences. By fostering collaboration across teams, the focus remains on maximizing profitability, refining private label strategies, and implementing seamless in-store visual merchandising. The commitment to driving excellence has been instrumental in managing markdown strategies, annual financial planning, and ensuring a robust product range that meets diverse customer needs.

Experience

1. Chief Category Head

   Reliance Retail

   Oct 2018 — Present · Mumbai, IN

   General Role• Competition Analysis & Research on Industry Trends.• Assortment finalization considering Demographics & Retail Formats.• Finalisation of product range matrix & product MRPs• Private Label Development & Strategy finalisation for the same.• Finalise VM & planogram for implementation at stores.• Managing Team of Buyer & Merchandiser ( 16 Team Members).Financial Planning • Setting annual category targets & margin budgets.• Optimum utilization of allocated budget for the category• Markdown management & strategy for stock control.Vendor Management • Development of new vendor source & management of existing vendor• Handle negotiations on quality and prices with vendors• Build vendor relationships to support new and ongoing sourcing needsBusiness Analysis • Analyze product health(STR) and take corrective actions• Periodic store-visit to check on stock issues/market feedback• Analyze product competition on periodic basisSignificant Highlights:• • Rated A*(Highest Rating) in consecutive 3 years Appraisal Review & Promoted to Chief Category Head.• Succesfully guided & develop strategies to oversee the Category Growth from 18 Cr to 500 Cr in 6 Years time span.• Handling different Value Formats like 900+ Hypermarkets, 2800+ Supermarkets & online Platform Jiomart.• Successfully launched Private Label Brand “Happy Living”, “Homeone”, “Ulhaas” & “MYHOME” contributing 65%.of Category Share.• Overachievement of Budget & LFL Growth in 6 successive years.

Education

• IISWBM, Kolkata

  Post Graduate Diploma in Transportation & Logistics (2 years fulltime course), Logistics & Suplly Chain

  2000 — 2003

Skills

• Product Development
• Negotiation
• Marketing Management
• Textiles
• Sales
• Retail
• Category Management
• Business Development
• Marketing
• Sourcing
• Forecasting
• Planning
• Merchandising
• Supply Chain Management
• Management
• Apparel
• Logistics
• Project Planning
• Supply Chain
• Team Management
• Competitive Analysis
• Inventory Management