Careers in Fashion: The Retail Store Designer/Store Planner
Importance Of Retail Store Designing And Store Planing In Fashion Industry
Before a fashion retailer opens its doors to the public, there is a tremendous amount of interior design and other types of planning that takes place. When major retailers like Kohl’s, Urban Outfitters and True Religion open a new retail location, they look to the Store Designer, or Store Planner, to oversee the store’s appearance and operations.
At True Religion, for example, the Retail Store Designer works with architects, production directors and other store development partners such as the merchandise marketing team, to create and produce the retail environment of the denim label’s new retail locations.
Reporting directly to the VP of Retail Development & Visual Merchandising, True Religion’s Retail Store Designer is “primarily responsible for creating and translating comp designs into mechanical art form. Building precise, complete and well-marked files that are ready for processing/printing.”
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| Image: True Religion store interior. |
“Space matters. Our store and work environments express who we are. Because surroundings are so important not only to our customers, but also to our Home Office employees, we have a full team who handles store and office build out, redesign, and facilities management and maintenance. This involves project management, budgeting, creative thinking, and careful execution.”
At mega retailer, Kohl’s, the Store Planner’s role might also include overseeing the remodeling of of current stores to bring its appearance up-to-date with the company’s visual standards.
“It’s the stores that put the ‘face’ on Kohl’s, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience for all our customers. As a company, we’re constantly working to expand our territory and allow more shoppers across the country to experience Kohl’s,” says the company on its careers page.
Kohl’s elaborates on some of its Store Planner’s job duties, including interior planning, fixture planning, site planning and real estate planning. The role of Kohl’s Creative Design Manager, as its name suggests, seems to offer the most creative opportunity.
“A highly creative, resourceful, and self motivating retail designer. Must be cross-functional with interior architecture and fixture environments. Responsibilities will include interior architecture for overall store design as well as departmental re-imaging, branded shop and fixture design. This is a fast paced environment that requires an individual who can produce quick and decisive solutions. Hands on involvement from concept to installation.”
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| Image: Kohl’s store interior |
To get hired as a Store Designer or a Store Planner, most companies require that candidates earn a fashion merchandising degree, or a degree in a related field such as an interior design degree or a visual communications degree.
Below: Adidas store elevation drawings designed by Henry Mullaly. |
| Careers in Fashion Merchandising: The Retail Store Designer/Store Planner (Enlarged floor plan drawing prepared for construction). |
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