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Our annual business and networking conference, Ragtrader Live, is now one week away!

Before you hear insights from the likes of Amazon, The Iconic, Sussan, Hugo Boss and Cotton On, take a look back at these powerful speeches from previous years.

Get your tickets to our 2019 instalment here. You don't want to miss it.

1. Honey Birdette: greatness comes with risk - and surprises

As Honey Birdette rolls out record-breaking stores in the US market, managing director Eloise Monaghan revealed the export journey has not been without its challenges.

"One of the biggest and most shocking learnings was when we first opened our Covent Garden store in the UK."

After signing a £250,000 lease, the brand soon received a letter from the council.

"It was a £125,000 land tax bill. We probably put $5 million into the UK in our first year."

There were other surprises: a UK Honey Birdette site averaged out at £95,000 over $45,000 in Australia.

However Monaghan and her team continued the export dream, with a series of openings slated across the US this year.

"They are trading beyond expectations," she said, with LA a key performing market.

Alice McCall: know where your product should sit

Designer womenswear label Alice McCall enjoys a network of premium stockists, including luxury portal Net-A-Porter.

However, former general manager Robert Moore said it could have been a different scenario without a change in strategy. The brand first entered the UK eCommerce space via fast fashion giant Asos.

"Then suddenly 18 months later, you've got 80 SKUs that are all 70% markdown and no control over your branding in one of the biggest markets in the world. You have to know what you want out of those deals before you get into them."

Moore also warned designers to avoid rushing into leasing deals and pursue organic, well-researched opportunities.

"You can get locked in to relationships and find yourself rolling out stores you don't really want to roll out. Actually, if the trade doesn't come, it's pointless and it doesn't make any sense."

R.M Williams: understand the difference between value and money

R.M Williams revealed a critical partnership with the South Australian government will preserve its onshore manufacturing.

The government is collaborating with the University of South Australia to create a bootmanking apprenticeship program, as well as skills development and training initiatives.

R.M Williams CEO Raju Vuppalapati confirmed that as the retailer expands globally, supply for the locally manufactured boots is at critical levels.

"The easiest option is to go offshore, but for our company, retaining that Australian provenance and skill is absolutely critical. We lose the magic and we lose the storytelling."

He said the company had hired around 150 men and women, with the expectation it would take six to 12 months for the workers to produce a good pair of boots.

Pandora: discover your optimal growth channel

In 2017, Pandora had clocked annual compound growth of 30% since 2012.

Former Pandora Australia managing director Mikael Kruse Jensen revealed the impressive figure was the result of a four-point turnaround plan.

"From 2010 to 2012 we had a significant decline in our revenue," he admitted, noting price increases and market saturation as key culprits. Kruse Jensen said a core strategy since has been a branded approach to distribution, increasing concept store numbers from 82 in 2012 to 130 in 2017.

"At the same time, we closed more than 400 multibranded stores and created a much more efficient network. Now 76% of our revenue is coming from concept stores where it was around 50/50 in 2012."

Kruse Jensen said that only 20% of the jewellery business is branded, compared to 50% in leather goods.

"Our Pitt Street store in Sydney employs 50 people and is the highest revenue generator in the world. Worldwide, among all Pandora stores, this is number one."

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