John Pitera

Accomplished senior visual merchandising professional with brick and mortar retail experience and a history of creative, innovative, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking leadership approach in team environments. Proficient in executing successful global brand activations, product launch events as well as crafting exceptional in-store experiences that foster customer loyalty. Committed to continuous improvements that enhance brand equity and business performance with a demonstrated track record of boosting sales through effective product placement.

Consultant, Visual Merchandising and retail Marketing at Tory Burch, Giro Sports, FALKE, Bianchi Bicycles (2025 – Present)

• Developed and prototyped eyewear displays for Tory Burch eyewear in collaboration with Luxottica for the Tory Burch wholesale division.
• Conceptive designed and created the holiday campaign windows including metal sculpture trees, fabric snowmen for both retail and outlet stores for Tory Burch.
• Essentially, organize demonstration events for retailers and dealers featuring Giro Sports product lines.

Branded Environments Director at Aspen Ski Co. (2019 – 2025)

• Helped organization reach a new level of leadership in guest services, driving all tools, materials, equipment and store design while also mapping the consumer journey to key selling steps
• Designed the new rental and retail area with a focus on enhancing the guest experience in conjunction with "The Little Nell". a Forbes five-star and AAA five-diamond resort
• Built multiple sustainable retail activations and managed product strategy
• Worked with an independent consumer insights team to identify opportunities and rectify retail pinch points
• Developed short- and long-term customer experience programs, including Aspen Gondola store redesign, base camp events, and elevation of boot fit process

Global Retail Marketing & Visual Merchandising Director at Specialized Bicycle Components (2010 – 2019)

• Led the launch and implementation of new worldwide brand campaign and store redesigns
• Collaborated across multiple global business units to increase customer acquisition and build brand awareness
• Developed team structures to deliver business goals and created a comprehensive visual merchandising plans and guidelines for product launches that increased customer acquisition, increased store traffic, and drove success
• Enhanced brand statement by developing Cadence calendar to clarify marketing strategies
• Implemented global brand awareness campaign to build Relationships, Community, and Integration
• Exceeded goals on an average of 15% by increasing brand awareness and image through merchandising and athlete product showcasing

Creative and Visual Merchandise Director at Luxottica Retail (1997 – 2008)

• Led creative direction and brand character for over 3,000 stores (Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision, LensCrafters, Target Optical, Watch Station, and Watch World).
• Managed the budgeting and execution of a 100+million dollar annual plan, including all outside agency and vendor relations and contracts.
• Ensured all materials were consistent with brand imagery, positioning, character, and customer experience. Led global marketing and VM programs and drove the creation, development, and production of in-store displays and printed materials.
• Increased traffic by over 40% for Pearle Vision and +30% to plan sales at SGH by redesigning the store to reflect consumer ethnographic data.
• Initiated work-flow processes, creating a structure for VM project management, adding visibility to resource allocations and project timeframes.