An inside look at retail careers – from concept to consumer – through conversation and storytelling to showcase roles and the career pathways individuals have taken to get there.
Interviews
Reflect on conversations with industry leaders to be more informed and inspired on potential career paths.
Events
Engage with industry leaders to discuss, explore, and connect to potential career opportunities.
Group Mentorship
Discuss with industry leaders their experience to gain a personalized understanding of potential career paths.
An Inside Look
Career pathways across the product development process
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What does a merchant do?
- Expert on consumer, category, and the market. Uses sales data, consumer insights, trend forecasting and brand positioning to determine product assortment strategy (product mix, price, margin, set dates)
- Drives collaboration across design, product development, technical design, inventory planning, and marketing teams to achieve product assortment strategy and KPI goals
- This role is critical for driving the company’s financial success by creating the product strategy , leading the cross-functional team, and driving business decisions
What does a corporate designer do?
- Responsible for analyzing and predicting future trends, sketching product, and developing tech packs to design product that aligns with the brand and addressable market
- Collaborates with merchandising, product development, technical design, brand concept, graphic design, and marketing to bring their designs to life, ensuring quality and fit meet brand standards
- Designers play a crucial role in the product development process, from initial concept to final production, contributing to the success and appeal of the brand’s product assortment
What does a technical designer do?
- Responsible for translating design concepts into technical specifications that ensure the fit, quality, and construction of garments meet brand standards
- Collaborate with designers, merchants, product development, and vendors to interpret design sketches and finalize tech packs that outline garment construction, materials, and measurements
- Technical designers play a critical role in the product development lifecycle, ensuring that merchandise (primarily apparel and accessories) maintains its reputation for quality and fit.
What does a product development assistant do?
- Responsible for maintaining relationships with vendors and evaluating new potential vendors based on factors like quality, price, and ethical standards to support assortment and inventory strategy
- Collaborate with designers, merchants, technical designers, inventory planners, and vendors to deliver on product requirements across: cost, fabric, fit, and on-time delivery of product to distribution centers
- Product development/sourcing teams play an important role in bringing the product vision to life, while delivering on product requirements, and lead opportunities for ethical product development and sourcing
What does an inventory planner do?
- Responsible for assortment financial strategy and plans, managing the flow of merchandise, ensuring that inventory levels align with sales and margin forecasts and company goals
- Collaborate with merchandising, buying, allocation, and sourcing/product development teams to minimize “out of stock” product and maximize profit and sales opportunities
- Inventory planners play an important role in driving profitability, ensuring that selling channels have the right products available at the right time to meet customer demand
What does a consumer insights analyst do?
- Responsible for gathering and interpreting data from various sources, such as sales data, customer surveys, and market research, to provide actionable insights to the company’s decision-makers
- Collaborate with with cross-functional teams, including merchandising, marketing, and design to ensure that the brand’s offerings resonate with its target audience
- By leveraging data and consumer feedback, consumer insights analysts play a vital role in driving business growth, enhancing customer satisfaction, and maintaining competitiveness in the market
What does a marketing analyst do?
- Develop and implement strategies to promote the brand, attract customers, and drive sales using market research to understand consumer preferences, trends, and competitive landscape
- Work collaboratively with merchandising, design, sourcing, and inventory planning teams to create engaging campaigns across channels, including digital, social media, and in-store
- A marketing analyst plays a crucial role in building brand awareness, fostering customer loyalty, and driving revenue for an organization
What does a PR manager do?
- Responsible for managing the company’s public image and reputation through cultivating relationships with media, influencers, brands, and other key stakeholders to generate brand exposure and reach target audiences
- Develop communication plans to promote brand initiatives, product launches, and corporate announcements. Manages crisis communication, responding to issues that may arise to protect the brand’s reputation
- A public relations manager plays a vital role in shaping a brand’s perception and maintaining a positive brand image in the eyes of customers and the public