Andrea Weiss

With 30 years of retail expertise and an early innovator in multi-channel commerce, Andrea Weiss is co-founder of The O Alliance, a new consulting model designed to align a retailer’s organizational practices with today’s digitally savvy consumer.

A pioneer in creating a seamless customer experience, Ms. Weiss has extensive expertise in developing high-level business strategy and tactical execution plans for leading retailers and brands. She has been a key player in retail’s transformation into the digital space; as part of GSI Commerce where she was a board member and served during its evolution and ultimate sale to eBay, as well as at L Brands, where she served as Chief Stores Officer. Recently, she has been behind the scenes of Chico’s, Pep Boys, Cracker Barrel and Nutrisystem, where she currently serves on the Boards of Directors.

Ms. Weiss presently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Retail Consulting, Inc. (RCI), a boutique-consulting firm focused on the retail and consumer industry in both the U.S. and Europe. Her clients have included both fashion and consumer brands such as L’Oreal USA, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Starbucks, Grupo Cortefiel, and various global private equity funds.

Experienced in preparing strategic plans and implementing turnaround initiatives, Ms. Weiss has also worked to build global brands. Since 2002 she has been an advisor and partner to Grupo Cortefiel, one of Europe’s largest retailers that operate more than 1700 points of sale worldwide in 64 countries. Using her inherent abilities to execute new strategies, she built brands such as Springfield and Women Secret to what they are today. Ms. Weiss rose to Chairman of the Board where she facilitated three major financial transactions including a take-private transaction, a major sale lease back and a debt offering.

As President of retailer dELiA*s from May 2001 to October 2002, Ms. Weiss focused her attention on merchandising, marketing, e-commerce and retail store management while also serving as an investor and a strong member of the Board of Directors. From May 1998 to February 2001, she served as Executive Vice President, Chief Stores Officer of The Limited, Inc. and Intimate Brands, Inc., where she was responsible for store operations, brand delivery and service strategy for the $14 billion enterprise.
From February 1996 to April 1998, Ms. Weiss was President of Retail at GUESS, Inc., where she helped to lead the initial public offering for the global brand. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President and Director of Stores for ANN, Inc. from May 1992 to February 1996. From 1988 to 1992, she was Director of Merchandise Operations for The Walt Disney Company’s Orlando, Florida based theme park and resort division. In her early career, Ms. Weiss held management, marketing and merchandising positions at Casual Corner, The Narragansett and The Sporting Life Catalog.

Ms. Weiss holds a Masters of Administrative Science fromThe Johns Hopkins University that she received in 1986 and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1976. She also completed post-graduate studies at Harvard Business School and The Kellogg School at Northwestern University. She has been a frequent speaker for the National Retail Federation, International Council of Shopping Centers and at consumer investment conferences. Ms. Weiss was honored by Crain’s New York as one of “40 Under 40” at age 37.

With her husband, Richard, Ms. Weiss is passionate about breeding and racing thoroughbred horses and resides in Florida at Sorrento Oaks Farm.