Main RMI Number
408-554-4960
SCU - St. Joseph's Hall
Room # 108
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Retail Management Institute Newsletter -Winter '02
Advisory Board Profile: Lisa Harper - Gymboree
By Natalie Warga '03 & Eileen Corrigan ‘02
Lisa Harper is Vice Chairman
& CEO - Gymboree.
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Lisa Harper, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Gymboree since February 2001, recently became a new member of the RMI Advisory Board. Harper has explored many different avenues of the retail industry since graduating from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with an Art History degree. She began her retail career as a fit model for Levi Strauss. After only working there for two months, she was promoted to serve as an Assistant Designer. Once she gained valuable work experience at Levi Strauss, she continued down the retail path, holding Senior Design and Merchandising positions with companies such as Esprit de Corp., Mervyn’s, GapKids, and Limited Too. She came to Gymboree in 1999 as Vice President of Design. She progressed to become the Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Design and took on responsibility as General Merchandise Manager in February 2000. Due to her extensive exposure to numerous areas, Harper stresses that students interested in retail should explore different aspects of the retail industry and find an area that matches their skills and developing retail interests.
Gymboree, an international children’s clothing company based in Burlingame, California, has continued to grow and develop since Harper has been in the driver’s seat. Throughout her career, she has learned the significance and effectiveness of customer service. “Never forget who your customer is and never take your customer for granted.” This focus on the customer is at the heart of their success. Quality, creativity, and service are essential ingredients to Gymboree’s accomplishment. Harper has guided the company to recognize the importance of these values. Harper also stresses the importance of “protecting your brand at all costs.” Gymboree strives to stay true to their identity and ideas, rather than trying to mimic and match their competitors. Their individuality is what makes Gymboree a unique and vibrant retailer.
Harper acknowledges the growing popularity of Gymboree’s presence on the internet. Loyal customers do their research on the internet before visiting the stores. “Our customers pre-shop on the web and come in with a print out,” said Harper. Gymboree continues to support customers to the best of their ability by creating a convenient shopping experience either in the stores or on their website.
By developing a customer database, Harper believes they can support their company philosophy, incorporate customer suggestions into their product designs, and continue to exceed the expectations of their customers. Email campaigns are currently the most effective way to get responses from customers along with client information.
Currently, Gymboree has 580 stores across the globe. Harper acknowledges Gymboree’s growth potential, with stores already in Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland. Nevertheless, she wants Gymboree to be recognized as a big retailer that still feels like a small company. The friendly and creative community at Gymboree creates a pleasant working environment for Gymboree employees. Harper is enthusiastic about her job: “I have never laughed so much before in my life!” Due to Harper’s clear vision and positive energy, Gymboree is a reputable and competitive company in the retail industry. The RMI Board and students are fortunate to have Lisa Harper as a representative of Gymboree and appreciate her support of the program at Santa Clara University. |
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RMI Newsletter
