Kara Altobello

Associate Director, Wayfair Brands & Curated Merchandising

Professional Overview
Kara Altobello is an experienced retail merchandising professional with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation within the home furnishings industry. As the Associate Director of Wayfair Brands & Curated Merchandising, she leverages her deep product expertise and strategic acumen to optimize the company's exclusive brand offerings and curated shopping experiences.

Experience Summary

Current Role
In her current role as Associate Director, Kara is responsible for leading the strategic direction and execution of Wayfair's proprietary brands and curated product assortments. She oversees a team of seasoned merchants, working collaboratively to identify emerging trends, source high-quality products, and deliver exceptional value to Wayfair's diverse customer base. Under her leadership, Kara has successfully launched new private label brands and expanded the company's curated merchandising initiatives, contributing to Wayfair's continued market share growth.

Career Progression
Kara joined Wayfair in 2015 as a Category Associate for the AllModern brand, quickly rising through the ranks to take on increasingly senior roles. As the Senior Manager (Head Merchant) of Wayfair Brands & Curated Merchandising, she led cross-functional teams to develop differentiated product offerings and enhance the customer experience, driving significant revenue and profitability gains. Prior to her current position, Kara served as the Senior Category Manager for Wayfair's luxury brand, Perigold, where she spearheaded the expansion of the brand's assortment and elevated its positioning in the market.

Academic Background
Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she graduated cum laude. She has also completed various professional development programs in retail merchandising, product management, and strategic leadership.

Areas of Expertise

• Retail merchandising strategy and execution

• Exclusive brand development and management

• Curated product assortment curation and optimization

• Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership

• Data-driven decision making and performance analysis

• Trend forecasting and market intelligence

Professional Impact
Under Kara's leadership, Wayfair's proprietary brands have experienced significant growth, contributing to the company's overall success. She has spearheaded the launch of several new private label brands, which have been well-received by customers and helped to differentiate Wayfair's offerings in the highly competitive home furnishings market. Additionally, Kara's strategic oversight of the company's curated merchandising initiatives has resulted in increased customer engagement, higher average order values, and improved profitability.

Conclusion
Kara Altobello is a seasoned retail executive with a proven ability to drive innovation and growth within the home furnishings industry. In her current role as Associate Director of Wayfair Brands & Curated Merchandising, she continues to leverage her deep product expertise and strategic acumen to shape the company's exclusive brand portfolio and curated shopping experiences, positioning Wayfair for ongoing success in a rapidly evolving market.