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HOT 100 RETAIL TITANS: Kate Search, brand buyer & marketing manager, TIME/Ray & Scott

Kate Search moved out of her comfort zone by moving from what she calls her “fulfilling” career in the wholesale watch industry when she relocated to Guernsey, but as she poses by the sea for her Hot 100 shoot it’s clear she doesn’t regret it for one minute: “I love the sea and what better place to live than Guernsey, surrounded by beautiful beaches and stunning islands. We have a part ownership in a rib, and love to speed off on a sunny day with the Sunday papers, and anchor in Fermain Bay with a picnic, or relax on idylic shell beach, Herm island!”

You certainly couldn’t begrudge Kate her downtime following a year in which the brand buyer and marketing manager of retail specialist Ray & Scott has flourished. As a passionate, commercially-minded individual, she’s relished the chance to complete a SWOT analysis on the business as part of a strategy to move it to the next level.

“We’ve identified so many areas that can be improved to bring the 52-year-old brand in line with the very best independent jewellers in the UK,” she happily reveals.

Kate has also been heavily involved in the launch of TIME, a branded store in the secondary town of St. Sampsons that continues to enjoy increased footfall. Her next challenge is to develop a separate e-commerce website for TIME, as well as one for Ray & Scott that links directly to its recently-installed stock management system.

“The two different brands’ successes are of equal importance to me, but for very different reasons,” she says. “TIME is my new venture. Ray & Scott is a fantastic established business, yet I see the potential for it to be a phenomenal luxury empire, stocking more of the very best high-end luxury watch and jewellery brands, including Cartier and Breitling.”

After her smooth switch to Guernsey, it’s no surprise that taking on new challenges and pushing the boundaries of watch retail hold no fear for Kate. “Life is full of risks and fortunately I believe in seizing the day!” she concludes.

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