Alexandra VanVelsen
Grand Rapids,MI
Summary
Innovative Visual Merchandiser with a solid background in creating and implementing effective visual displays. Possess strong understanding of retail marketing and consumer behavior, as well as expertise in product placement to optimize sales. Skills include leadership, strategic planning, and creativity. Previous work saw significant improvement in store aesthetics, customer engagement, and overall sales performance.
Overview
2
2
years of post-secondary education
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Stock Manager
Snipes
Grand Rapids, MI
2024.02 - Current
- Oversee Snipes stock room operations to ensure accurate inventory management.
- Manage stockroom organization and replenishment standards for Snipes store operations.
- Monitor inventory counts and resolve stockroom discrepancies for accurate stock levels.
- Create organizational systems to streamline stockroom processes.
- Coordinate receiving, unpacking, and sorting merchandise for sales floor placement.
Manager (MIT)
Snipes
Kentwood, Michigan
2022.08 - 2024.02
- Supervised associates in delivering exceptional customer service, improving product knowledge, and maintaining daily store standards.
- Coordinated timely merchandising updates for streetwear, footwear, and apparel displays to align with brand strategy.
- Prepared store for opening, counted cash registers, completed daily staff zoning, and presented new information to team concisely.
Visual Merchandiser (full-time)
H&M
Kentwood, Michigan
2018.07 - 2021.08
- Created presentation of merchandise to engage customers and help stimulate sales activity.
- Assisted in developing strategies for increasing sales by using visual merchandising techniques.
- Built window displays following retail brand guidelines and seasonal concepts including decorations, props and other visuals.
- Curated merchandise tables with coordinated colors and themes to improve product visibility and appeal.
- Arranged mannequins, signage, and fixtures across sales floor presentations.
- Reset planograms to match store layout and visual standards.
- Analyzed customer feedback on current display designs and proposed improvements accordingly.
Cosmetic Validation Consultant (cosmetics model)
X-Rite Inc.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
2013.06 - 2018.07
- Cosmetic model for the Sephora + Pantone color IQ project. Worked behind the scenes of beauty brand launches in a cosmetics lab. Learned about makeup and beauty industry.
- Applied foundation, concealer, and color products using professional beauty techniques.
- Maintained confidentiality of records and ensured security of sensitive information.
- Entered project data into computer database with accuracy and efficiency.
Visual Merchandiser (Full-time)
Tillys
Grandville, Michigan
2015.08 - 2018.06
- Created window and in-store displays to promote new product launches.
- Arranged mannequins, signage, and fixtures across sales floor presentations.
- Updated merchandise tables with coordinated colors, themes, and product groupings to enhance visual appeal and shopper engagement.
- Designed window and in-store displays to attract attention and promote new product launches.
- Developed innovative floor plans to maximize merchandise visibility and optimize customer flow.
- Processed incoming shipments and verified merchandise against packing slips.
Visual Merchandiser
Charming Charlie Inc.
Grandville, MI
2013.05 - 2014.12
- Coordinated product flow from backroom to sales floor displays.
- Reset planograms to match store layout and visual standards.
- Updated merchandise tables with coordinated colors, themes, and product groupings.
- Maintained clean display areas and polished presentation fixtures daily.
- Installed promotional signs and graphic materials for store campaigns.
- Maintained visual merchandising storage area and room to prevent damage or destruction of existing visual collateral or tools.
Education
ASSOCIATES - FASHION MERCHANDISING
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, Michigan 2013.09 - 2015.01
BACHLORS - METALS AND JEWELRY
Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, Michigan 2011.08 - 2012.01
GRADUATED HIGHSCHOOL -
Grandville high School
Skills
- Visual merchandising
- Adobe creative suite
- Window displays
- Merchandise presentation
- Floor set execution
- Fashion trend knowledge
- Visual storytelling
- Attention to detail
- Creative problem solving
- Stock management
- Sales / management
- Social media content production
Timeline
Stock Manager
Snipes
2024.02 - Current
Manager (MIT)
Snipes
2022.08 - 2024.02
Visual Merchandiser (full-time)
H&M
2018.07 - 2021.08
Visual Merchandiser (Full-time)
Tillys
2015.08 - 2018.06
ASSOCIATES - FASHION MERCHANDISING
Grand Rapids Community College
2013.09 - 2015.01
Cosmetic Validation Consultant (cosmetics model)
X-Rite Inc.
2013.06 - 2018.07
Visual Merchandiser
Charming Charlie Inc.
2013.05 - 2014.12
BACHLORS - METALS AND JEWELRY
Kendall College of Art and Design
2011.08 - 2012.01
GRADUATED HIGHSCHOOL -
Grandville high School