Experience

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

• United States
• Retail Furniture and Home Furnishings
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Director Of Visual Merchandising

  • Feb 2021 - Present

  Direct visual merchandising for $120MM home furnishings retailer. Author and design all visual directives, training material, guidelines and weekly communication to 32 retail stores. Supervise field merchandisers while simultaneously collaborating with all channels of the business to drive sales. Provide style direction on catalog shoots both in studio and on location. Partner with Product Development and Merchandising on all assortment planning, seasonal changes and business initiatives/launches of new product. Collaborate with Marketing to provide an excellent customer experience at retail that seamlessly tethered the experience from catalog/social media to brick and mortar. Direct store openings, relocations and closings, including the first outlet prototype. Show less

• Regional Visual Merchandising Manager

  • 2015 - Feb 2021



West Elm

• Visual Merchandising Manager

  • 2012 - 2015

  Supervised all facets of merchandising with this specialty home goods retailer. Collaborated with corporate partners to develop visual merchandising guidelines for companywide seasonal execution. Authored resources for merchandising excellence in standards for corporate distribution. Developed visual team both internally and externally on brand standards and merchandising techniques. Supervised specific merchandising details for store opening, remodel/relocation projects across the country, streamlining overall projected timelines & efficiencies. Direct seasonal floor sets, enhancing presentation and sales per square ft. Collaborated on the recent launch of the newest concept within the brand, MARKET. Created partnerships with local retailers, using an entrepreneurial prowess to enhance community awareness of brand and host special events, increasing incremental business. Show less



The Vitamin Shoppe

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Visual Merchandising & Planning

  • 2009 - 2012

  Directed visual merchandising department for 800MM dollar specialty retailer; supervised business initiatives increasing incremental sales by 20% using Intactix plan-o-gram software. Directly responsible for merchandising presentation for 500+ stores nationwide and international. Directed/managed new store merchandising process, created floor plans for new stores, remodels & comp stores; analyzed sales to determine floor plans to produce lift in comp sales. Effectively collaborated with multiple departments across the business to reduce new store opening costs $50K annually while opening 120 new stores. Streamlined process with Retail Operations & Marketing to incorporate direct online sign orders. Trained Store Managers, District Managers and Regional Directors on merchandising standards/guidelines and best practices. Show less



Sport Chalet

• Retail
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Visual Merchandising Manager

  • 2004 - 2009

  Directed visual merchandising department for $400MM dollar big box, specialty retailer, provided visual merchandising direction, communication, & training to all stores. Directed/managed new store merchandising process, created floor plans for new stores, remodels, & comp stores; coordinated shop in shop concepts, designed new fixtures & signage while simultaneously determining merchandising/inventory needs Directly responsible for merchandising presentation for 55 stores throughout West Coast Effectively analyze divisional/store sales & develop merchandising plans, vendor initiatives, and departmental/sq. ft. modifications for incremental sales increases Created, developed, & implemented merchandising staff infrastructure, designed to enhance store presentation and drive sales at store & district level; 55 store reports/7 district direct reports/Fixture Logistic Coordinator direct report/Admin direct report Show less



Gymboree

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Merchandise Manager

  • 2001 - 2004

  Accountable for maintaining high standards in all facets handling all store merchandise – from receiving, inventory management, & related controls, new seasonal/promotions floor sets in a recently expanded 2,000 sq. ft. site, with 1,000 sq. ft. storage/inventory area. Train staff directly in visual standards and replenishment tasks, assuring that all in-store needs are met. Communicate with corporate executives re: visual assets including fixtures, signage, & graphics; category cross merchandising possibilities; & P&L issues related to discrepancies in inventory. Trouble-shoot LA/Orange County for DM – asses/define visual needs and related inventory Opened two new stores for the Janie & Jack concept: successfully relocated Montclair Mall Gymboree site Consistently develop creative & equally profitable presentations of the Brand each season, accommodating plan-o-grams to smaller spaces by restructuring real estate & hands on in sites averaging 800-1500 sq. ft. total Show less



RH

• United States
• Design Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• District Visual Manager

  • 1997 - 2001

  Supervised all facets of visual presentation within market, boasting $45MM sales per year. Established individual floor-set strategies working closely with District & Store Managers: concurrently define enhanced sell-through options/concepts to best promote sales within each unique physical store environment. Responsible to install display/merchandising seasonally and refresh stores in between to keep customer appeal. Designed exciting window presentations that attracted customers enhancing traffic and sales significantly Spearheaded 15 store openings throughout the US as the Field Visual Director; developed visual packets/plan-o-grams for floor moves and floor sets that were implemented companywide. Customized floor plans per store, adapting to challenging architectural difference while effectively showcasing large items (furniture: sofas, chairs, bookcases, & home accessories) & small items equally for solid customer appeal Show less



Lord + Taylor

• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Visual Merchandising Manager

  • 1990 - 1997

  In a high-volume better department/specialty store operation, became recognized for strong visual skills during a long tenure. Directed all visual merchandising activities, including all staffing requirements for the Visual department- hire/fire, train, supervise, and review. Define/executed time & action calendars for shop concepts & seasonal installations. Consistently scheduled and assured on time deliveries of new fixtures/visual assets, for store openings, remodel, and special events. Directed store remodel of a $26MM annual sales site, with little or no loss of traffic increasing floor space from 75K to 120K sq. ft., a more than 50% additional floor space. Efficiently manage all fixtures and assets by recycling and implementing budget controls and keeping costs down while enabling the store to purchase higher quality display/presentation apparatus. Worked with Public Relations Manager on a number of special events including fashion shows and other merchandise showcases Show less