The MAY Department Stores Company Invites you to explore a Career in Retail.

What is a Career in Retail?

n Buyers and Assistant buyers work to maximize the sales and profitability of their Multimillion dollar buying departments through: –Trend Analysis and Sales Forecasting, –Negotiating with vendors and representatives, –Planning, executing, and constantly updating advertising for the department’s merchandise, –Monitoring and maintaining inventory dollars over a multi-state area, –Setting prices for advertised and non-advertised merchandise, and MUCH more.

Why A Career in Retail? n It’s challenging, fast paced, dynamic and fun... n Utilize both Marketing and Finance n Individual performance counts n Feedback is immediate and tangible

Traditional Department Stores How are most retail department stores structured? How large and successful are department stores?

A Family of America’s Finest Department Stores Headquarters: St. Louis, MO What is the MAY Department Stores Company...

Eight Regional Headquarters What is the MAY Department Stores Company

What is the MAY Department Stores Company...

MAY facts... n Over 400 quality department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia n Revenue over $13.5 Billion n A Fortune 500 Company n 25 consecutive years of record sales and earnings growth

1999 Sales Comparison ($ in billions)

Entering your Retail Career The May Department Stores Company’s E xecutive T raining P rogram

DMM GMM Assistant Buyer Area Sales Manager Buyer Executive Trainee RETAIL CAREER PATH

Average Time in Each Position Executive Trainee (10 Weeks) Assistant Buyer (Approximately 2 years) Area Sales Manager (3 - 6 Months) Buyer in Training ( Months) Buyer About 3 to 3 1/2 years

The Executive Training Program n 10 week program offered at headquartered city of our store companies n Program presumes that you have had no previous retail experience n Combination of learning by working in the office with one of our senior buyers, and classroom presentations by senior management n Each Executive Trainee is assigned a H.R. counselor to assist with everything from reviewing classroom concepts, to locating an apartment, to getting cable TV installed n Promoted: Assistant Buyer

Assistant Buyer n Work directly with buyer n Prepare sales and profitability analysis n Learn merchandising and financial management, advertising planning and inventory control n Gain experience that is vital to your success as a buyer

Buyer n Forecast trends, analyze buying patterns, produce sales n Monitor and maintain inventory levels and pricing plan, plan seasonal promotions, negotiate prices from vendors n Average annual sale volume: $15 million

Divisional Merchandise Manager n Supervise a group of buyers n Allocate resources n Develop advertising and pricing strategies n Get sales to the bottom line n Develop buyers

General Merchandise Manager n Conduct market analysis and drive market penetration n Develop and implement business strategies n Profit & loss responsibility n Team Building n Goal Setting

Retail Success Characteristics... n Gets Results & Gets Things Done n Sets Challenging Goals & Wants to Win n Energizes Others & Works Well with a Variety of People n Wants to Learn & Is an Active Listener n Asks Probing Questions n Does Good Analysis & Is Well Organized

What Retail Companies are looking for... n We are looking for career oriented self- starters, creative thinkers, and strong leaders n Men and women who are smart, action- oriented team players who will excel in the fast-paced world of retail

Competencies High Energy, Intense, Compelled to “DO IT NOW” person End Up in Charge of an Organization End Up in Charge of an Organization or Group (Leader) Structured, Organized, Prepared Stimulated by Processes than by Theories Demand Conflict Resolution & Closure

The MAY Department Stores THANK YOU