Giovanna Q.-European Retail & Multi-Site Operations Executive | Multi-Site Leadership · Commercial Performance · Team Development
Check rate
Experience
SVP and Advisory Board Member
STRATENCE PARTNERS
Strategic advisory for business transformation, risk management and stakeholder engagement
Focus on commercial model, global operations, pricing, inventory allocation and returns
Guide CEO & clients on capital allocation, market entry strategies, commercial transformation and organizational design
Advisory Board Member
GCBR
Board-level governance for international think tank focused on business resilience
Strategic oversight on critical risk domain and collaborate with C-suite, regulators, and institutions on systemic risk mitigation
Advisor & Founding Member | Business Transformation
WILL SOCIETY
Co-founded startup focused on intergenerational collaboration and innovation
Define go-to-market strategy, evaluate new clients, oversee business model optimization, talent strategy and scaling operations
Chief Transformation Officer
Auchan Retail International
Corporate role reporting to COMEX, responsible for 10-country portfolio.
Scope: €18M innovation budget, 60 FTE (tech, marketing, sales, operations)
Key Achievements:
- Leadership: Reduced employee turnover by 6%, improved NPS by 5%, digital adoption +20%
- M&A Integration: Led DIA grocery integration (Spain and Portugal), secured synergies
- Innovation: Pioneered OCADO robotization pilot in Poland, Spain, Portugal; M-commerce and Social Commerce for emerging markets (Africa), improving business turnover.
Strategic Impact:
Elevated CX across all channels by aligning HR, Finance, Supply Chain, and Commerce within transversal projects. Delivered omnichannel CX strategy and implementation roadmap for 10 countries.
EMEA Digital Director - digital solutions for Retail
Fung Group
Pioneered BU of digital solutions for Retail (SaaS, RFID, IoT, Blockchain)
Scope: Managed tech and non-tech teams, strong focus on customer ROI
Key Achievements:
- BU Launch: Built organization from ground up, managing cross-functional teams; managed strategic partnership with TEMERA (leader in Blockchain/RFID for luxury)
- Business Development: Won 3 French grocery big players through tender process (2020); Client Value: +40% sales turnover average
Strategic Impact:
Created new revenue stream for Fung Group, positioning as "one-stop shop" for retail digital transformation across global supply chain.
Global Retail Director
Poltrona Frau Group, Cassina, Cappellini
Interim role reporting to CEO, led global business transformation in M&A context (new owner: Haworth)
Scope: 182 stores (retail, franchise, wholesale, online), €300M P&L across EMEA, Asia, USA (B2B, B2C)
Key Achievements:
- Performance: +10% company sales, +8% margin through best practice harmonization with regional customization; set up 5-year strategic plan across Sales, Marcomm, Operations, and Global CX verticals (implemented also in Cassina and Cappellini)
- Retail Excellence: Introduced global retail best practices (product mix, visual merchandising, recruitment, training, rewards).
Strategic Impact:
Positioned group for sustained growth post-acquisition, ensuring continuity and value creation during ownership transition. Succession: Prepared smooth transition to newly hired permanent manager.
Senior Advisor | Business & Digital Transformation
Made to Sell
Support founder on major strategic projects across Luxury, Fashion, FMCG, Hospitality, Automotive
Audit to action plan, international expansion, digital transformation, reorganization (clients: Apple, Furla, MaxMara, Kiko, Pandora)
EMEA Retail Manager | Sports Division
Hudson Holdings Ltd
Interim role reporting to CEO, drove reorganization of global distribution channels in EMEA
Scope: 49 stores (retail, franchise, online), brands: NIKE, ASICS, ADIDAS, CONVERSE
Key Achievements:
- Performance: +7% company sales (LFL), +5% margin - Converted selected wholesale stores to franchise, franchise to retail (optimizing channel mix)
- Organizational Design: Introduced Merchandising/Planning Manager role and Head of Visual Merchandising function; Led HR transformation without redundancies, preserving company reputation
Strategic Impact:
Restructured distribution model for profitability while maintaining brand equity and employee morale. Also launched 3INA Cosmetics brand as part of executive team. Succession: Mentored and coached internal team member to take over perimeter.
Country Manager Outlet Channel - South East Europe
Ralph Lauren Corp.
Reporting to EMEA Managing Director
Scope: 450 FTE, €120M P&L in Italy, Greece, and Turkey
Key Achievements:
- Performance: +15% annual sales (LFL), +13% margin. Prepared and led 3 new store openings (Italy and Turkey)
- Operational Excellence: Met all regional KPIs and company goals. People Leadership: Managed multiple HR aspects across 3 countries
Strategic Impact:
Turned around underperforming region, delivering double-digit growth in competitive outlet channel.
Retail Area Manager Italy & France
PVH Corp. - Calvin Klein & Tommy Hilfiger brands
Managed reorganization and M&A integration for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger channels.
Scope: 45 POS - Full price, outlets, department stores, €50M sales turnover
Key Achievements:
- Performance: +16% annual sales LFL (2011), +11% (2012), +8% (2013)
- Transformation & Integration: Commercial and people reorganization post-M&A, merged operations while maintaining brand differentiation
Strategic Impact:
Delivered consistent double-digit growth during complex integration period.
Franchise Area Manager
ESPRIT
Reporting to Country Manager
Scope: Retail partnerships and franchise points of sale, 5 lifestyle lines
Key Achievements:
- Defined and executed budget strategies aligned with corporate strategy, led buying & merchandising for women's and men's apparel, accessories, shoes, underwear, eyewear
- Spearheaded training initiatives (product, VM, retail operations, selling techniques); managed new store openings.
Store Manager
GasJeans
Retail Area Manager
Princesse tam.tam
Store Manager
Promod
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Fashion, Retail, Information Technology, Cosmetics, Real Estate, and Tourism.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Sales, Strategy, Operations, Audit, Marketing, and Information Technology.
Summary
International retail executive with 20 years of experience across premium lifestyle, fashion and luxury businesses, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Esprit and Poltrona Frau Group (Poltrona Frau, Cassina, Cappellini brands).
Combines multi-country retail leadership, P&L accountability and team development with a track record of improving sales, strengthening operating standards and delivering organizational change. Experience includes responsibility for a €120M P&L and 450 FTE across Italy, Greece and Turkey, alongside leadership of international retail networks spanning directly operated, franchise and partner channels.
Brings a commercially focused, pragmatic approach to aligning people, product presentation and customer experience—balancing consistent brand standards with local market needs.
- Ralph Lauren: led a €120M P&L and 450 FTE across three countries; delivered 15% annual like-for-like sales growth and led preparation and execution of three store openings.
- Poltrona Frau Group: led a 182-location international network within a €300M business scope; delivered 10% sales growth.
- Hudson Holdings: reorganized a 49-store EMEA network, delivering 7% like-for-like sales growth without redundancies.
- PVH: managed 45 points of sale across Italy and France, representing €50M in sales; delivered annual like-for-like growth of 16%, 11% and 8% in 2011–2013.
Skills
- European Multi-Site Retail Operations
- P&L And Sales Performance
- Retail Team Development
- Store Openings
- Operational Excellence
- Customer Experience
- Visual Merchandising
- Buying And Merchandising
- Franchise Management
- Omnichannel Retail
- Talent Development And Succession
- Change Management
Languages
Education
University of Padua
Political Sciences and Government · Italy
Master with special focus on: International, Law, economics, history, philosophy.
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Giovanna is based in Paris, France and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Giovanna speaks the following languages: French (Native), Italian (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Intermediate).
Giovanna has at least 20 years of experience. During this time, Giovanna has worked in at least 11 different roles and for 11 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 10 months. Note that Giovanna may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Giovanna would be well-suited for roles such as: SVP and Advisory Board Member, Advisory Board Member, Advisor & Founding Member | Business Transformation.
Giovanna's most recent position is SVP and Advisory Board Member at STRATENCE PARTNERS.
In recent years, Giovanna has worked for STRATENCE PARTNERS, GCBR, WILL SOCIETY, Auchan Retail International, and Fung Group.
Giovanna is most experienced in industries like Fashion, Retail, and Information Technology. Giovanna also has some experience in Cosmetics, Real Estate, and Tourism.
Giovanna is most experienced in business areas like Sales, Strategy, and Operations. Giovanna also has some experience in Audit, Marketing, and Information Technology.
Giovanna has recently worked in industries like Information Technology, Cosmetics, and Fashion.
Giovanna has recently worked in business areas like Strategy, Audit, and Sales.
Giovanna holds a Master in Political Sciences and Government from University of Padua.
Giovanna is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
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Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 15 Nov 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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