Leaving My Mark in Retail

My relationship with retail visual merchandising has grown and changed through each role I have held. Every job has shaped how I understand the connection between product, space, and customer experience. I began to appreciate how design influences behavior early on, and each new environment taught me something different about how people move, choose, and connect with a brand. Over time, I realized that visual merchandising is not only about arranging products. It is about telling a story and shaping a feeling the moment someone walks through the door.

Photo by me

My first major experience came as a Pink manager at Victoria’s Secret. There, I supervised and led floor sets, often working through the night to transform the store in just a few hours. It taught me precision and teamwork. Every table, fixture, and mannequin placement had a purpose and every detail contributed to how customers understood the brand. The rhythm of these floor sets made me aware of how design must stay both consistent and fresh. I learned how to follow strict brand guidelines while still making decisions that supported the flow of the specific store.

My time as a store manager at Ro’s Shirts by the Shore in York, Maine brought an entirely different type of freedom. The shop was a seasonal tourist destination on the beach, selling discounted and graphic apparel that appealed to families, travelers, and locals. I was given a great deal of trust, which meant I could experiment with the layout and storytelling of the space. I learned how to create a sense of excitement for customers who often wandered in without clear intention. The salty air, colorful products, and casual environment helped me understand how visual merchandising shifts based on setting. I found ways to make the small space feel open and inviting, letting the beach culture shape how I presented the products.

At L.L. Bean, I stepped into the role of Product Merchandising Store Team Leader, working in one of the top stores in the company. This position taught me how visual merchandising functions on a large scale. I collaborated with a team of highly skilled product leaders, each responsible for entire departments. Together, we interpreted corporate direction and adapted it to fit our store’s unique needs. I saw how thoughtful design supports both customer experience and operational efficiency. The challenge was not only to make the store beautiful. It was also to make it logical, intuitive, and true to the brand’s heritage of craftsmanship and outdoor culture.

Looking back, each role deepened my understanding of how retail spaces communicate. Whether I was leading a structured floor set, experimenting freely in a beachside shop, or collaborating in a high volume outdoor retailer, the thread connecting everything was design that feels intentional. Visual merchandising has shaped the way I notice details, the way I problem solve, and the way I understand customer experience. It has become more than a job. It is a way of thinking about how people move through space and how design can make that movement feel natural, inspiring, and memorable.