RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Contacting the buying office to discuss what is selling well/not so well

• Money-mapping best-sellers to see what position on the floor is selling the best, attracting attention, stimulating purchase

• Negotiating with stock management about deliveries

• Positioning stock on the shop floor

• Dressing mannequins

• Attending trend briefing from brands to introduce new season stock, then following guidelines to merchandise stock using brand standards

• Working in a team to complete larger moves on the shop floor

• Delegating tasks to shop floor partners

 

 

WHAT I'M LEARNING

 

Since leaving University in June, I have been working as a Visual Merchandiser in the Womenswear department for John Lewis Cambridge, learning about the more visual side of retail. I am learning to use my visual skills in arranging and laying out stock to encourage purchases rather than simply satisfying customers who have already decided to make a purchase as in my previous role with John Lewis. My job requires me to be very flexible and I enjoy the variety of tasks included in this role; I am often liaising with the Buying Office, forming relationships with the team through discussing stock control logistics and bestsellers.

 

I have really enjoyed working closely with the Buying team, and I believe Buying could be more reactive and flexible to respond to recent trends such as Prom Season and Halloween to properly address these markets and encourage sales.  From my experience of brand forecasting, working on live projects at University, and my dissertation on new ways of selling bras and lingerie, I have researched ideas about pop up shops and newer selling techniques which I think could both benefit customers and enhance revenue for the company.

 

I am spending a week with the John Lewis central Buying team at the London HQ in November which I hope will provide me with valuable first-hand experience at the heart of the company and assist with my aim to become a Buyer.