Hannah Darbyshire
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Accomplished Visual Merchandising Specialist with a proven track record at Seed Heritage and other brands with Brandbank group, enhancing brand identity and customer engagement through innovative store layouts and seasonal campaigns. Experienced in colour theory and space planning, with a flair for storytelling and team leadership. Achieved significant sales uplifts by optimising store conversions and mentoring teams in visual merchandising best practices.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Visual Merchandiser Specialist
Seed Heritage
Melbourne, VIC
11.2023 - Current
- Supporting the development and implementation of creative direction for national visual merchandising, crafting cohesive in-store layouts that enhance brand identity, and drive customer engagement across all locations.
- Working closely with cross-functional teams, including buying, product development, e-commerce, and marketing, to align strategies and reinforce brand direction for a cohesive customer experience.
- Coordinating with the VM team to curate and set up each monthly drop in-store, and then developing and distributing clear directives for nationwide implementation.
National Visual Merchandising Manager
Fine-Day
Melbourne, VIC
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Develop and implement the overall visual merchandising strategy, aligned with brand guidelines.
- Plan seasonal campaigns, store layouts, and product displays to maximize sales.
- Collaborate with marketing, buying, and retail teams to ensure cohesive execution.
- Ensure consistent visual merchandising standards across all stores.
- Conduct store visits and audits to assess compliance, and identify opportunities.
- Provide visual guidelines, and training materials for in-store teams.
- Lead and mentor regional and store-level visual merchandisers.
- Organize training programs to enhance team skills in styling, product placement, and brand storytelling.
- Communicate trends and best practices to ensure teams stay updated.
- Monitor sales data to understand the impact of visual merchandising efforts.
- Adjust strategies based on performance insights and customer behavior trends.
- Work closely with store managers to optimize high-traffic areas and maximize conversion rates. Oversee the rollout of new store openings, refurbishments, and special projects.
- Manage seasonal campaigns, product launches, and promotional displays.
- Source cost-effective materials while maintaining quality and brand aesthetics.
- Ensure timely and efficient execution of displays within budget constraints.
State Visual Merchandising Manager
French Connection Films
Melbourne, VIC
01.2020 - 05.2021
- Implement visual merchandising strategies, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines.
- Conduct store audits, provide feedback, and train teams on visual standards.
- Lead and develop a team of regional/store-based visual merchandisers.
- Monitor and report on the effectiveness of merchandising strategies.
- This role ensures stores are visually appealing, impactful, and consistent with brand standards.
National Visual Merchandising Manager
Seed Heritage
Melbourne, VIC
12.2018 - 12.2019
- Develop and implement the overall visual merchandising strategy, aligned with brand guidelines.
- Plan seasonal campaigns, store layouts, and product displays to maximize sales.
- Collaborate with marketing, buying, and retail teams to ensure cohesive execution.
- Ensure consistent visual merchandising standards across all stores.
- Conduct store visits and audits to assess compliance, and identify opportunities.
- Provide visual guidelines, and training materials for in-store teams.
- Lead and mentor regional and store-level visual merchandisers.
- Organize training programs to enhance team skills in styling, product placement, and brand storytelling.
- Communicate trends and best practices to ensure teams stay updated.
- Monitor sales data to understand the impact of visual merchandising efforts.
- Adjust strategies based on performance insights and customer behavior trends.
- Work closely with store managers to optimize high-traffic areas and maximize conversion rates. Oversee the rollout of new store openings, refurbishments, and special projects.
- Manage seasonal campaigns, product launches, and promotional displays.
- Source cost-effective materials while maintaining quality and brand aesthetics.
- Ensure timely and efficient execution of displays within budget constraints
International Visual Merchandising Manager HK/SNG
Seed Heritage
Melbourne, VIC
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Organized special events and in-store demonstrations that showcased new products, boosting brand awareness and sales performance.
- Trained and mentored junior staff members on visual merchandising best practices, improving overall team performance.
- Adapted quickly to changing trends within the retail industry, embracing new methods when necessary, while maintaining consistent results in sales performance.
- Oversaw visual merchandising for new store openings and store collateral change-outs.
- Traveling seasonally to Hong Kong and Singapore to work more closely with teams on training and new strategies.
- Supporting the national visual merchandising manager for AU/NZ.
Area Visual Merchandising Manager
Seed Heritage
Melbourne, VIC
02.2015 - 12.2017
- Implement visual merchandising plans across stores.
- Train and manage visual merchandisers.
- Ensure brand standards through regular visits.
- Oversee layouts and product presentation.
- Align visuals with the marketing and retail teams.
- Monitor trends and competitors.
- Provide insights to senior management.
Cluster Instore Visual Merchandising Manager
Seed Heritage
Melbourne, VIC
09.2014 - 07.2015
- Organized special events and in-store demonstrations that showcased new products, boosting brand awareness and sales performance.
- Trained and mentored junior staff members on visual merchandising best practices, improving overall team performance.
- Adapted quickly to changing trends within the retail industry, embracing new methods when necessary, while maintaining consistent results in sales performance.
Instore Visual Merchandising Manager
Sussan
Melbourne, VIC
09.2012 - 09.2014
- Implementing visual merchandising guidelines and store displays.
- Maintaining product presentation, signage, and stock replenishment.
- Collaborating with store teams to align visuals with sales goals.
- Monitoring trends and competitor displays for inspiration.
- Ensuring store visuals are neat, engaging, and up to brand standards.
Skills
- Strong visual storytelling, display design, and styling
- Knowledge of colour theory, space planning, and branding
- Understanding of retail trends, sales impact, and seasonal planning
- Ability to optimise store layouts and drive conversions
- Multi-store coordination and team training
- Experience with InDesign and Excel
References
Provided upon request
Timeline
Visual Merchandiser Specialist
Seed Heritage
11.2023 - Current
National Visual Merchandising Manager
Fine-Day
11.2020 - 11.2021
State Visual Merchandising Manager
French Connection Films
01.2020 - 05.2021
National Visual Merchandising Manager
Seed Heritage
12.2018 - 12.2019
International Visual Merchandising Manager HK/SNG
Seed Heritage
01.2017 - 12.2018
Area Visual Merchandising Manager
Seed Heritage
02.2015 - 12.2017
Cluster Instore Visual Merchandising Manager
Seed Heritage
09.2014 - 07.2015
Instore Visual Merchandising Manager
Sussan
09.2012 - 09.2014