Field Visual Manager
Forever 21
Total years of experience :13 years, 4 Months
Achievements:
• Played a key role in expanding territory by assisting in new openings/remodeling like Metropolis Mall - Russia (Sep 2015), Mall of Africa - South Africa (Jul 2016), Abdali Mall - Jordan (Aug 2016), BurJuman Center - Dubai (Sep 2017) and IBN Mall - Dubai (July 2018)/
• Successfully achieved saving of 30.000$ on annual basis by uplifting the look of the store by refurbishing with previous season fixtures stored in WH.
• Reviewed visual concept for each store before the launch, provided feedback to the team, executed visual directives of each store and prepared final layout for each store.
• Effectively conducted quarterly visual merchandising workshops for new joinees, supervisors and store managers.
• Participated in Global Visual Competition Summer Setup (2016) and secured 2nd place worldwide.
• Strategically evaluated samples for SS18 and finalized based on the market demands.
Responsibilities:
Visual Merchandising
• Lead a team of 25 visual merchandisers and managing 10 company stores (averaging of 12.000- 38, 000 sq. ft. per store).
• Prepare floor work and visual checklist on a daily store visit to provide feedback on store visual; conduct weekly meetings with Store Visual In-charge to discuss brand merchandise and windows updates.
• Focus on increasing the footfall of the store by attractively displaying products and merchandise; create appealing and eye-catchy visual displays that lead the customer through the entire store.
• Responsible for all creative and visual propositions of the store; instrumental in all functions from concept development and implementation of innovative and compelling displays.
Liaison and Coordination
• Closely work with the planning, marketing and operation team with regards to store layouts and product presentation of each season floor set to ensure appropriate implementation of company guidelines across all the regions.
• Define all in-store communication with the marketing team, order seasonal brand marketing collaterals and conduct brand training workshops per season.
• Attend weekly conference call and monthly territory visits; participate in monthly business reviews with the Board.
Team/People Management
• Lead, guide and motivate the store team to achieve all brand, performance and behavior standards; provide consistent feedback to team members to increase confidence and capability.
• Work with vitality to motivate people to visit the company store more frequently; research best practice and ensure that the team remains ahead of competitor standards.
Achievements:
• Instrumental in opening of new brands while managing 8 stores across UAE (Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras-Al-Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai).
• Successfully managed 6 stores in Dubai and opened 5 new stores in Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras-Al-Khaimah, Dubai-Oasis Center-Arabian Center).
• Demonstrated the uniqueness of the company’s product range through visual merchandising competence and display techniques in different store media and activity areas to distance the brand from the competition.
• Achieved and consistently maintained visual standards and upheld company visual expectation perform refresh on weekly basis and strengthened apparel.
• Spearheaded efforts to deliver ultimate customer experience by running 2 visual updates in a month and setting fixture tables and walls according to the updated floor map on weekly basis.
• Successfully developed and maintained a corporate database of fixtures inventory, visual directives and visual props.
• Developed and organized multiple visual training programs on various levels of visuals.
• Significant role in achieving the highest target from opening in UAE region after Arabian center.
Responsibilities:
• Focused on increasing the store sales and achieving store budget through effective space stock management; managed stock availability and maintained visual standards on the floor, cash wrap and fitting room.
• Evaluated store metrics to spot opportunities to maximize store results; reviewed and evaluated sales performance reports and corrected space allocation, store layout, stock positioning including space provisions of seasonal items.
• Maintained and managed the store’s sales floor including setting up new displays, ensuring that shelves are stocked and making sure that the store is clean and orderly.
• Defined, designed and implemented a creative visual merchandising strategy to ensure that the brand is positioned effectively within the market to promote profitable growth.
• Ensured that store achieves defined stock loss target and carries out all loss prevention activities as defined by stock loss action plans; focused on improving staff awareness of stock loss issues.
Achievements:
• Successfully developed store policies and marketing programs aimed at increasing sales and growing the existing customer base.
• Successfully diversified product lines and enhanced sales by 33%.
• Conducted sales seminars to increase product knowledge, selling techniques and suggestive add-on sales.
• Efficiently managed 6, 500 square feet of showroom and 2, 000 square feet of stockroom while ensuring replenishment system and structured stockroom is in place.
• Ensured that all products and displays are merchandised effectively to maximize sales and profitability.
• Conducted extensive market research, analyzed competitors’ activities and accordingly managed brand/customer awareness programs to create product demand and awareness.
Responsibilities:
• Managed a team of 10 members in planning and directing the day-to-day store operations; developed plans to drive store sales, increase profit and improve customer service while maintaining high store standards and conditions.
• Developed and maintained healthy business relations with customers, ensured their needs are met and complaints are resolved in a timely manner, while providing quick and efficient service.
• Monitored and ensured that store facilities meet all regulations; recommended processes specific to store products, size and location; also arranged seasonal displays to increase footfalls in store.
• Ensured that all the store operations are processed according to the company policies and procedures.
• Focused on increasing the Mystery Shopping results through high qualitative standards in the store.
• Tracked and implemented financial quotas for the store and staff based on the stated financial goals of the business.
Achievement:
• Devised effective plans to drive store sales, increase profitability and improve customer service while maintaining high store standards and conditions.
Responsibilities:
• Assisted the Store Manager in developing strategies to attract new customers and increase business of the store.
• Managed every aspect of the store - sales, stock, orders, payments and resources - for smooth running of the store.
• Monitored daily store operations and tracked the progress of weekly, monthly and quarterly objectives.
• Managed overall operational integrity of the store, controlled store expenses on a daily basis and ensured all operations are in compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Handled employee rotations, vacations and promotions to ensure staff development in the store; suggested training programs for the staff to increase their capability.
Previous Assignments
• Department Manager, Al Shaya (H&M), Dubai, UAE (Jan 2009 - Dec 2010)
• Visual Merchandising Supervisor, Al Shaya, Dubai, UAE (Oct 2006 - Jan 2009)
• Store Visual Merchandiser, Azadeea, Dubai, UAE (Jan 2004 - Aug 2006