Managing Director

At Consumer Research USA we provide comprehensive product research and reviews to recommend the best
buying choices for consumers.  We drive revenue through affiliate partnerships such as; Amazon Associate,
Rakuten, CJ Affiliate, Macy's, Born Shoes.  As Managing Partner, I am responsible for all aspects of affiliate
strategy, web design, and SEO.  https://consumerresearchusa.com

Based Shanghai, Sunjoy is the one of largest manufacturers of outdoor furniture in Asia.
• Annual sales volume $350MM North American.  https://sunjoyonline.com
• Categories of responsibility; Outdoor Dining Furniture, Outdoor Occasional Seating, Gazebos, Greenhouses,
Outdoor Fireplace/Fire Pits, Outdoor Décor.
• Led comprehensive gap analyses that identified white space in brick and motor and digital assortments.
• Created and implemented competitive analyses, data mining, and quantitative research tools.
• Sourced and developed products to fill the gaps directly with Asian manufacturers. Increased sku count of directly designed and sourced product while driving a five-fold increase in drop-ship revenue.  Top categories
include outdoor dining furniture, outdoor occasional furniture, and gazebos.
• Developed and implemented strategic digital site-to-site assortment and integration strategies for Sunjoy's
key omnichannel retail partners; Costco, Lowe's, Sam's Club.
• Increased penetration of digital business to 25% from 5% leveraging SEO and affiliate marketing.
• Developed exclusive assortments for the companies top retailers; Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, The Home
Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale.

Director Digital Merchandising and Product Development

Part of the founding management team of a startup of a multi-level marketing company in the home décor space.
• Led RFP for a 3rd party logistic facility and banking and credit card processing platforms. Negotiated
agreement and oversaw implementation.  Managed day-today relationship.
• Managed financial statements and balance sheet.
• Developed and implemented sales commission plan, HR, and payroll policies.

Chief Operations Officer, COO

for Sears and Kmart Home
Responsible for Brand Strategy, Product Development, and Design for SHC Home Fashions.
• Responsible for strategic business development and implementation of private label home products and licensed brands at Sears and Kmart generating $1.9B in annual revenue.
• Categories of responsibility; Bedding, Bath, Window Coverings, Lighting, Rugs, Storage & Organization,
Cookware, SKA, Tabletop, Furniture, Home Decor.
• Led comprehensive data analyses, competitive benchmarking, consumer insights, and quantitative research
to define positioning strategy for private label brands and assortments.
• Developed and implemented strategic retail analytical tools to direct assortments, pricing, merchandising
standards, floor plans, and seasonality.
• Managed proprietary brands and licensed brands including; Joe Boxer, Cannon, Sandra Lee, Jacqueline Smith,
Country Living, Gordon Ramsay, Kenmore, Essential Home, Color Mate, and Grand Resort,
DMM, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Sears and Kmart Home Fashions
• Responsible for $400MM in annual sales, 9 direct reports.
• Categories of responsibility; Furniture, Home Décor, Tabletop, Floor Coverings, Window Treatments.

Director of Product Development and Private Label Brands

Brought in to develop wholesale line for an Indian manufacturer transitioning from factory to US domestic brand.
Led all aspects of Product Development and Design.
• Created assortment plan for over 400 skus specifically targeting needs of key accounts in US.
• Categories of responsibility; Lighting, Tabletop, Home Décor, Home Fashions.
• Hired and managed design teams in San Francisco, New York and India.
• Worked directly with factories through sampling to production.
• Worked with multiple retailers to secure orders and placement in Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, TJX,
Target, and Pier 1.

VP of Product Development

• Managed sales volume $250MM, 11 direct reports.
• Categories of responsibility; Jewelry, Tabletop, Home Décor, Kitchenware.
• Implemented the then new ecommerce business strategy.
• Reimagined kitchen business to be more specialty and gourmet focused by creating cross merchandising
stories.  Reversed a 4-year sales decline to grow business +12% in first year with 2ppt margin growth.
• Revamped Jewelry business growing sales to $25MM (from $4MM) while increasing margin 10ppt.

Divisional Merchandise Manager

• Managed wholesale volume $250MM, 10 direct reports.
• Direct responsibility of Design, Marketing, Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Purchasing.
• Categories of responsibility; Indoor Plants, Garden Accessories, Pots & Planters,
• Led the restructuring and integration of Buying and Planning.
• Developed and managed all aspects of "store within a store" concepts for Target and Home Depot, increasing
sales 25%.

Director of Merchandising & Planning

• Grew sales volume to $80MM.
• Reported directly to the SVP.
• Categories of responsibility; Home Décor, Tabletop, Candles and Lighting, Garden Décor, Music.
• Responsible for many firsts at Pottery Barn, including music CD's, retro phone and retro fan.

Senior Buyer

Find out detailed information about Greg Merten, Managing Director in , CA

Greg Merten: Managing Director in , CA

Greg Merten

Consumer Research

Sunjoy Industries

BrandWave Design

Sears Holdings

CL Gupta Inc

Cost Plus World Market

Nurseryman's Exchange

Pottery Barn

Macy's Executive Training Program