The Rise Of British Luxury Brands And Hiring Of US Executives

Perhaps the British are aggressively invading the US media industry.

An instant survey of British retailers and brands shows that there are many American faces from the newly appointed managers of the British retail and brand groups.

The brand Smython, famous for its luxurious stationery and elegant accessories used by the royal family, hired Anna Anna-LisaFroman, a former GapandBananaRepublic veteran, in October last year to become senior vice president of the company. Last month, London announced that Browns, an American who worked in Barney's (BarneysNewYork) and Sax's Fifth Avenue Department store (SaksFifthAvenue) in New York, will replace another American, Ellyn Malan (ErinMullaney), becoming Brent's new purchasing director.

KurtGeiger group, which runs footwear, also appointed BergdorfGoodman, the former head of BergdorfGoodman, as its head of luxury goods department last summer.

Among the large numbers of Americans who visit Britain, these people are only part of the new members.

Others include: Ed Bersdale, who moved to the UK to become general manager of Liberty in 2008, and EdBurstell, a new Yorker, who worked in Barney department, joined the top cosmetics department store SpaceNK in the same year as chief operating officer, responsible for procurement and sales; in 2007, Josh Schulman (JoshShulman) joined JimmyChoo as chief executive; born in the United States and served in the EdBurstell office.

In fact, if you walk into the headquarters of any British luxury luxury company, you will probably hear American accents with nasal sounds.

For example, at the headquarters of Net-a-Porter, a global luxury online store in Westfield shopping center, Natalie, the founder of Internet retailing, employs a large number of American elites, including Alison Ronis (AlisonLoehnis), vice president of marketing, and Hawley Rodgers (HolliRogers), director of procurement, HolliRogers (Net-a-Porter).

At the brand discount store Outnet, British Stephanie Phil also gained experience from being a sales director at Portero.com, a luxury retailer in New York.

Is it just coincidence? "Maybe this is capitalist culture.

In the United States, we are trained to make money, "said Ellyn Mullaney, now a consultant.

In the US, fashion is not only an idea, it is also a business.

You have to achieve a profit of up to 50%-60%, otherwise it will not work.

This is a good training. "

SpaceNK's Avalon agrees: "Americans are more aggressive and they are very proactive.

Their point of view is, "if it can happen, it will happen".

Americans also have a more global business perspective.

She also believes that her fellow Americans are always telling the truth, and "people need to learn the candor of Americans.

We never beat around the bush.

Bose Dale of Liberty also approved this direct way.

"No need to worry about him," he said.

"In Britain, sometimes people do not want to solve practical problems."

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Typical American styles can also benefit from British style.

Mullaney said: "in the United States, too much attention is paid to sales.

In Britain, you can pay more attention to creativity.

This is a perfect combination of American style. "

The overall attraction of this cultural exchange is obvious.

Many American luxury brands have achieved international operations, so employees have the opportunity to have rich experience in new regional operations.

And many companies often cover many different states in the United States, not to mention the experience of solving their operational challenges.

In addition, American employees can provide firsthand advice and connections for companies seeking expansion to the US.

KarenHarvey, a retail recruitment consultant with his own company, said: "the United States is very good at developing business experts who understand the importance of products and understand their customers." Harvey

Many business executives are excellent business experts. "

The "migration" of the American elite to the European market began with Ross Marie Bravo (RoseMarieBravo), and the story of her reviving Burberry has become a legend of the retail industry.

In 1997, Sax, chairman of the Fifth Avenue department store for 5 years, was introduced by Burberry, the ailing British clothing brand, to serve as president of Burberry to save Burberry.

Bravo appointed Kate Moss (KateMoss) as spokesperson for the image and dug Chistopher (GucciGroup) from Gucci (ChristopherBailey) as creative director.

Burberry's rapid expansion in the United States is impressive. In the 6 years ended September 30, 2003, its sales revenue increased from $470 million to $1 billion, and its operating profit reached $115 million.

Three years later, Bravo handed over the right of control to her American compatriot, Angela, AngelaAhrendts, the veteran of LizClaiborne.

Angela created the same impressive performance: Burberry announced last month that its third quarter sales amounted to 480 million, an increase of 26.3% over the same period last year.

Another American Andy Ganovoski (AndyJanowski) is the chief operating officer of the company.

(interestingly, besides being a member of the board of directors of Tiffany and Estee Lauder, Bravo has recently become a non-executive director of JackWills, another strong British brand).

Joyce Avalon says Americans have brought an outsider's perspective.

"You can play the global advantage you know," she said.

Karen Harvey also agrees with this view: "they are well aware of the inherent laws of this global operation and enable enterprises to get back to the right track."

"We can see the potential of the future, not just the past," adds MaxineMartens, Martens&Heads, an executive recruitment agency.