Michelle Christensen is a highly accomplished C-Suite executive with over 30 years of experience in leading merchandising, product strategy, and store operations for major retail chains. Throughout her extensive career, Michelle has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to drive growth, increase operational efficiency, and deliver significant margin improvements. Her strategic mindset and leadership have transformed underperforming business units into top-performing segments, while fostering a collaborative, cross-functional environment that aligns team efforts with market trends and consumer demands.

As the Chief Merchandising Officer at Bargain Hunt, Michelle oversaw a diverse range of critical functions, including merchandising, planning, allocation, and reverse logistics. Under her leadership, the company achieved unprecedented financial success, delivering strong sales and margin results in a resource-constrained environment. Michelle played a pivotal role in sourcing, curating, and delivering product assortments that balanced profitability with customer satisfaction, earning the company its first-ever employee bonuses for tenured staff and boosting overall employee engagement.

Prior to Bargain Hunt, Michelle served as Senior Vice President of Merchandising Strategy & Own Brands at Big Lots, Inc. During her tenure, she managed $1.8 billion in direct-sourced Own Brand merchandise, establishing key product lines such as the Broyhill brand. Her efforts resulted in substantial gross margin improvements and a 600 basis-point increase in product penetration. Michelle’s strategic approach to sourcing, coupled with her ability to streamline processes and foster cross-functional collaboration, positioned Big Lots as a leader in the off-price retail sector.

Michelle’s entrepreneurial spirit also led her to launch and successfully run About You Medical Supplies, a small, durable medical equipment company in Phoenix. As Owner and President, she developed strong relationships with medical providers, implemented an automated billing system, and grew the company’s referral network before selling the business. Her ability to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry further showcases her adaptability and strategic mindset.

In her earlier career, Michelle held several leadership roles at Jo-Ann Stores, where she served as Regional Vice President of Stores and Vice President of Merchandising. She was instrumental in improving operational profits and driving year-over-year sales increases in her region. Her “recipe for success” — a blend of data analysis, opportunity identification, and strategic execution — consistently delivered results, making her one of the top-performing leaders in the organization.

Michelle’s expertise extends across a broad spectrum of retail disciplines, including strategic planning, P&L management, inventory control, product development, and store operations. Her ability to identify market trends and consumer behavior has enabled her to craft innovative merchandising strategies that resonate with customer needs while maximizing profitability. She is also highly skilled in vendor negotiations, having managed $300 million in direct imports and cultivated relationships with suppliers across multiple countries.

Throughout her career, Michelle has built a reputation as a leader who empowers individuals and helps remove barriers to improve execution. She is deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, where cross-functional teams can thrive and deliver on key business objectives. Her leadership style emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and a customer-centric approach to every aspect of retail operations.

Michelle holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kent State University’s Graduate School of Management, where she specialized in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services. She also supports several causes, including Animal Welfare, Children, Education, Health, and Human Rights. Her global exposure includes work in China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam, further enriching her understanding of diverse markets and consumer behavior.

Character:

Michelle is a driven, self-motivated leader known for her integrity, work ethic, and dedication to empowering teams. Her ability to inspire and lead by example fosters a culture of excellence and accountability.

Knowledge:

With extensive experience in retail, merchandising, and product development, Michelle’s deep knowledge of the industry allows her to make informed, strategic decisions that drive growth and profitability.

Strategic:

Michelle’s ability to craft and execute forward-thinking strategies has consistently transformed underperforming business units into top performers. Her expertise in market analysis, P&L management, and vendor relations ensures sustainable business growth.

Communication:

Michelle is an effective communicator who excels at fostering cross-functional collaboration. She builds strong relationships with stakeholders, vendors, and teams, ensuring alignment across all levels of the organization.