Visual Merchandiser

SUMMARY:
Our client, a leading retailer in Centurion is seeking a talented Visual Merchandiser to design and implement captivating in-store displays that enhance the shopping experience and boost sales.
This role requires a creative eye, strong merchandising skills, and a deep understanding of customer behaviour to craft engaging store layouts.
Working within the franchise model, the Visual Merchandiser will collaborate with the franchisee,
store managers, and marketing teams to ensure brand consistency while catering to local trends and customer preferences.
If you have a passion for design, storytelling, and creating immersive retail experiences, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact!

POSITION INFO:
Minimum requirements:

• A qualification in visual merchandising, fashion or interior design, retail management, or a related field is non-negotiable.
• 3 - 5 years of previous experience in retail visual merchandising.
• Knowledge of franchise-specific operational procedures and experience with store branding consistency will be beneficial.
• Tech-savvy with well-known knowledge of design software and digital tools to design theme-related POS material in line with the brand image.
• A passion for stationery, arts and crafts, or experience in the creative industry will be a significant asset.
• Knowledge of stationery, arts and crafts products, with a passion for and understanding of arts and crafts supplies, stationery, and related products to effectively showcase their value to customers.
• Understanding of the South African market with familiarity with the local consumer base, including popular trends within the South African arts and crafts scene, such as DIY projects, local art styles, school-related products, and festive craft ideas.

• Creativity and artistic vision with a strong understanding of design principles, able to create unique, visually attractive displays that appeal to a diverse customer base, from children to DIY enthusiasts and professional artists.
• Attention to detail with the ability to spot small visual elements that enhance the overall store presentation and ensure accuracy in displays.
• Communication skills with the ability to work with store managers, franchise owners, and staff in a collaborative environment, and strong interpersonal skills to communicate ideas effectively.
• Time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and maintain high standards of visual merchandising during busy retail seasons, such as back-to-school periods or festive seasons.
• Physical stamina, being comfortable working on feet for long periods, setting up and maintaining displays, lifting moderate to heavy weights (such as craft supplies, stationery boxes, and shelves), and moving stock.

• Create and design displays by developing and installing attractive, functional, and creative displays.
• Product placement by strategically displaying products such as stationery, paints, art supplies, craft tools, books, toys, and gift items to highlight their appeal, encourage customer interaction, and drive impulse buying.
• Store layout management by optimising the layout and flow of the store to ensure customers can easily navigate and discover new or seasonal products, maximising space for highly seasonal products during events like Back to School, Christmas, and Valentine's Day or promotional items.
• Franchise guidelines compliance by ensuring all displays and store layouts comply with the franchisor’s brand guidelines while adjusting for local and in-store preferences.
• Seasonal and promotional campaigns by planning and executing engaging visual setups for seasonal events, craft workshops, holidays, and special promotions, such as back-to-school, festive crafts, or DIY trends, to encourage foot traffic and boost sales.
• Incorporating customer insights by monitoring customer interactions with displays, gathering feedback on product preferences, and adapting displays accordingly, being responsive to growing trends within the stationery, arts, crafts, books, toys, and gifting space.
• Visual maintenance and updates by regularly refreshing displays to maintain visual appeal, ensuring that all products are well-stocked, clearly labelled, and attractively arranged, and ensuring that damaged or outdated stock is quickly removed from the store and handled according to procedures.
• Collaboration with franchisee and store teams by working alongside the franchise owner, marketing, and management teams to ensure visual strategies align with broader marketing initiatives and store objectives, providing guidance on display updates and stock rotations.
• Staff training and development by training and supporting store staff in maintaining visual merchandising standards, ensuring the team understands the importance of display integrity and product arrangement in driving customer interest, and setting up a merchandising manual and planogram.
• Creative storytelling by using visual merchandising to tell a story, particularly around seasonal themes
• Creative planning by planning displays and product placements.