FRENCH HYPERMARKET BRINGS IN GLOBAL EXPERTISE.

1. GLOBAL INSIGHTS
TRENDS, RECRUITMENT REMUNERATION IN THE RETAIL SECTOR
UK
MATERNITY WEAR BUSINESS BLOOMS AS NEW
ECOMMERCE DIRECTOR COMES ON BOARD
Client requirement. A growing fashion business specialising in maternity
clothing sought an Ecommerce Director. With revenue streams coming
from stores, concessions and a webstore, the successful candidate would
need to offer a blend of online experience, a proven sales record, and
experience in systems and trading. Other desirables included international
exposure and experience of managing teams in merchandising, logistics
and ecommerce.
The process. PageGroup visited the client to explore the brief and discuss
the profile in detail with senior executives, always keeping in mind the
company’s plans for expansion. PageGroup then sourced appropriate
candidates using various headhunting techniques and met the best
candidates based on the requirements specification. .
Outcome. While 250 candidates were approached by PageGroup for
this position, thorough screening helped in narrowing down the number
of face-to-face interviews required before the right candidate was chosen.
ITALY
NEW BRAND LAUNCHED IN RECORD TIME
Client requirement. A multinational clinical research organisation in
Japan needed a clinical director with a perfect understanding of both
pharmaceutical innovators and clinical sites. The client commissioned
Michael Page to handle the search by targeting pharmaceutical company
candidates and communicating the benefits of joining the organisation.
The process. PageGroup drew on its strong knowledge of the retail
sector and its national and international networks to respond swiftly to the
requirement for candidates skilled in languages, sales and management.
PageGroup drew on its strong knowledge of the retail sector and its
national and international networks to respond swiftly to the requirement
for candidates skilled in languages, sales and management.
Outcome. The collaboration between PageGroup and the client
organisation proved successful and suitable candidates were found within
the challenging timeframe.
SPAIN
FASHION MULTINATIONAL RECRUITS MULTI-SKILLED
MANAGER
Client requirement. A European multinational in the fashion sector was
looking to hire a Country Manager who could combine the responsibilities
of this role with those of Retail Manager.
The process. Once the client’s needs were clearly defined, the search
began, using the PageGroup database and website to publish details of
the role. A direct search was also conducted to source candidates who
could empathise with the values and culture of .
Outcome. Four candidates were presented to the company and a strong
candidate with a successful career nationally and internationally received
and accepted a job offer.
FRANCE
FRENCH HYPERMARKET BRINGS IN GLOBAL EXPERTISE
Client requirement. A French food retailer with a large business on the
Caribbean island of Martinique has had a strong recruitment partnership
with PageGroup Retail France for eight years. The relationship began when
the company sought help with recruiting a number of store managers.
The process. Once the client’s needs were clearly defined, the search
began, using the PageGroup database and website to publish details of
the roles available. PageGroup also conducted a direct search to identify
candidates who could relate to the values and culture of the business,
and who were open to the prospect of swapping city life in France with
island living – an 8,000-kilometre relocation. 5% of the candidates
targeted and contacted were ready to consider a move of this nature.
Outcome. The collaboration between PageGroup and the client
organisation proved successful in finding suitable candidates, resulting
in 10 store managers being appointed. PageGroup has helped the
company to fill executive positions within the Group and to expand into
other territories, such as Guadeloupe, Guyane and La Réunion.
Þ CASES

2. MIDDLE EAST
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH NETS BUYING DIRECTOR FOR KUWAITI GROUP
Client requirement. A multi-billion dollar group in Kuwait planning further expansion needed a Buying Director with expertise in the home furnishings
sector.
The process. To reach out to qualified candidates, PageGroup implemented a package of advertising using Middle East and UK retail channels,
with the search extending to South Africa and Australia.
The outcome. Out of five candidates presented to the client, two went through to the final stage before one accepted the post. Both were strong
candidates, being from the region and offering extensive experience in the field.
TURKEY
LINGERIE RETAILER IN A RACE AGAINST TIME CALLS ON
PAGEGROUP FOR SUPPORT
Client requirement. A global lingerie retailer about to open for business
in Turkey needed to recruit a team quickly. With the clock ticking and
only the store manager in place, they still needed 15 retail professionals
to report to this senior manager.
The process. PageGroup mapped the market and identified suitable
candidates using active search and online tools. Following several
interviews, a shortlist of candidates was drawn up for each role.
The outcome. As well as successfully recruiting for the original 15
positions, PageGroup helped the retailer to recruit other new employees
within a three-month period.
AUSTRALIA
SEARCH GOES GLOBAL FOR SPECIALIST PROGRAMMER
Client requirement. A large American retailer had embarked on one
of Australia’s largest ecommerce programmes: integrating a German
ecommerce platform into its local business. Given that only one other
retailer in Australia uses the platform, there was a very small pool of
talent from which to recruit a programmer with the right skills.
The process. PageGroup extended the search beyond Australia, with
the Melbourne office taking the lead in mining its global databases and
advertising the post through online campaigns and social media.
Outcome. PageGroup was able to source an overseas candidate within
a three-week period. The preferred candidate was interviewed at the
local PageGroup office in Mumbai before being flown out to the retailer’s
head office for interview. PageGroup also assisted with managing the
offer stage and helped to facilitate the visa/sponsorship process.

3. CHINA
CHINESE APPAREL COLOSSUS FORMS RECRUITMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH PAGEGROUP
Client requirement. The largest apparel company in China planned to strengthen its management team by introducing candidates into the functions
of general management, retail operations and merchandising.
The process. PageGroup consultants met with the owner of the company, and helped him to devise an effective hiring plan. Two consultants dedicated
to the project then conducted a search of PageGroup databases of both domestic and international candidates.
The outcome. Within a very short period, PageGroup had filled all the retail vacancies.
BRAZIL
BRAZILIAN RETAIL GIANT PARTNERS WITH PAGEGROUP
Client requirement. A large apparel and footwear powerhouse, with a
global presence and a workforce of thousands, chose PageGroup as its
recruitment partner. The company needed to hire for a variety of positions
in areas such as brand management, product marketing and planning
for two brands that it had brought under its direct control.
The process. Drawing on their deep insight into the retail market and
experience in using prospecting tools, PageGroup consultants created
a pool of candidates, comprising of both those working for direct
competitors and also former employees of the client.
The outcome. To date, ten highly qualified professionals at management
level have been hired, with more positions currently in the pipeline in Brazil
and other Latin American countries. In addition to finding appropriate
candidates, PageGroup worked behind the scenes to help structure
the entire team.
MEXICO
INNOVATIVE APPROACH OVERCOMES SKILLS SHORTAGE
FOR LUXURY BRAND
Client requirement. With turnover in Client Advisers high across the
Mexican retail sector as a whole, a luxury retailer with an international
reputation approached PageGroup to look creatively at how the problem
could be overcome.
The process. PageGroup developed a method of assessment whereby
multiple candidates could present to and be evaluated by store managers
and HR representatives in a single day. The process proved both efficient
and effective in matching candidates to available positions.
The outcome. During the past six months, four assessment days have led
to 18 Client Advisers being successfully placed. Candidates unsuccessful
with this retailer were eventually placed with other retailers.