Hatten & Associates 2007 - Present
Creative Business Initiatives LLC
Bi-Mart 2002 - 2006
Chief Merchandising Officer / Executive Vice President
Hallmark Cards 1982 - 2002
Sales Vice President - Mass Channel
Retailer & Supplier
For twenty years, I was on the "selling" side of consumer products with Hallmark Cards. Throughout my career as a vendor, I knew the power of a great consumer brand was only as good as the retail partner selling it. I got to know many retailers and made lifelong friends in the business. Some of the retailers I worked closely with include Target, Wal-Mart, Shopko, Long's Drug, Payless Drug, Rite Aid, Raley's, King Sooper, Fred Meyer, Smith's, H.E.B., Publix, Lewis Drug, and many many others.
When I switched roles to become a retailer with Bi-Mart, I lived the life of space productivity and daily same store sales increases across categories as diverse as electronics, sporting goods, hardware, food, and HBA. Connecting with consumers required retail creativity, smart merchandising, competitive pricing and great execution. Many of my former "vendor peers" became customers and further strengthened my relationships in the consumer products business.
With those building blocks of experience from both sides of the desk, I apply a unique and balanced perspective to consumer products. Whether you are launching a new product or re-branding an existing one - I can help you with the strategy and the details to maximize the Gross Margin Return on Space.
Industry Leader
Active member of GMDC for over twenty years - as a supplier and a retailer. Other trade shows and associations I have particpated in as a speaker, a manufacturer, a retailer and a consultant: FMI, NCA, ROFDA, WAFC, NACDS, ECRM, All Candy Expo, CES, Housewares Show, Shot Show and many others.