MELANIE CLARKE
Birmingham,AL
Summary
Seasoned individual with experience in retail merchandising operations. Skilled in creating eye-catching displays, creative prop styling, and developing effective visual strategies to maximize sales. Adept with all aspects of the visual merchandising process, from concept to delivery and installation. Proven success in driving sales and customer engagement through creative visual solutions.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Merchandiser
Claire’s
08.2024 - Current
- Traveled weekly to merchandise/oversee new products: Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Kohl's in the Birmingham and surrounding areas.
- Managed project timelines effectively ensuring all planograms and resets were completed within established deadlines.
- Enhanced sales through eye-catching displays, effective product placement, targeted promotions, and key relationships.
Style Editor
Southern Living Magazine
08.2007 - 01.2024
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of food/fashion trends in the editorial industry ensuring relevance and brand awareness.
- Enhanced visual appeal of food by selecting plates, linens, silverware and stemware that perfectly complemented each dish.
- Collaborated with photographers and art directors to create visually appealing images for various media publications.
- Mentored junior stylists and assistants providing guidance on best practices in set design, prop styling, & location scouting.
Visual Merchandiser
Retail Assistance
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Maximized retail space utilization with efficient planogram execution and regular updates in jewelry, handbags, luggage, and sunglasses in major department stores.
- Collaborated with JC Penny, Macy’s, and Target store managers to develop merchandising strategies that aligned with sales goals and brand guidelines.
- Organized and maintained clean and appealing product displays and layouts achieving consistent visual excellence.
Retail Merchandiser
Hallmark
04.2019 - 11.2022
- Efficiently created organized product displays that drove sales and increased customer engagement
- Collaborated with store management teams to ensure proper implementation of visual displays
- Used scanning device to determine placement, track inventory and audits.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Interior Design/Business
University of Montevallo
Montevallo, AL12.1996
Skills
- Networking
- Organization
- Visual Merchandising
- Decision Making
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Social Media
- Brand Awareness
- Problem Solving
- Schedule Coordination
- Event Planning
- Expert Styling
Accomplishments
-Lived/worked in NYC for 5 years @Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Style Editor 1995.
-Won Best Showhouse Design for Cooking Light House, 2001.
Timeline
Retail Merchandiser
Claire’s
08.2024 - Current
Visual Merchandiser
Retail Assistance
07.2023 - 12.2023
Retail Merchandiser
Hallmark
04.2019 - 11.2022
Style Editor
Southern Living Magazine
08.2007 - 01.2024
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Interior Design/Business
University of Montevallo
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