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Retailer Face To Face: Menkind
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The Future Menkind, founded by Paul Kraftman, is one of the UK’s leading and fastest growing operators in the gifts and gadgets industry. The company opened its first store in 2002 and can now be found in over 60 different locations around the country, as well as online, with an additional 30 pop-ups at Christmas. Last August, the company appointed Simon Calvert as its first managing director, tasked with leading the consumer retail side of the business. PG&H asked him how he is he settling into the role, and what plans are in the pipeline to take the business forward in 2020?
Above: Simon Calvert, managing director, Menkind. Left: One of 60 Menkind stores in the UK. Inset: A percussion personal massager.
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imon Calvert brings a wealth of commercial experience and skills to his new role as managing director of Menkind, having previously worked for some of the most iconic retail brands over his 30 years in the industry, among them the Conran Shop, Republic, BHS and Bon Marché. “I started out selling on the shop floor, and since then have worked for PLCs, SMEs, private equity and private retailers, operating in a wide range of industries, from luxury and fast-fashion to the value and middle market sectors,” Simon explains. “I have also gained extensive experience working with both branded and own brand products in the gifts, home, furniture, fashion and lifestyle space, with my long-standing career in retail offering me the opportunity to 38
Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
take a leadership role overseeing most of the functions this sector entails.” Over the past three decades, his roles have included merchandising, visual merchandising, buying and sourcing, product development, design, e-commerce, marketing and PR, as well as retail operations, both in the UK and across Europe. “In addition, I have also led franchising, change management and system implementation initiatives, alongside supply chain and logistics management,” Simon adds. He highlights that the managing director position at Menkind gives him the opportunity to work alongside the company’s founder, Paul Kraftman, to