Jen Ryan

Hi, I’m Jen Ryan and I am passionate about all things retail. I’ve worked extensively on brand identity, creative and visual merchandising in bricks and mortar retail environments for over 15 years.

As an organised and creative person, I love building amazing in-store environments that champion brands and deliver dynamic shopping experiences for customers.

I’m currently available for consulting, contract or open to full time positions.

WHO AM I?.. YOU ASK

Jen Ryan or JR depending on who you talk to. I am passionate about fashion, interior design and Netflix. I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling and seeing new and exciting things. Next stop, Japan!

I’m based in Christchurch, and spend most of my time running around cleaning up after my kids.

I think I am funny. I think I can dance. But I know I am creative, good at balancing multiple things and get a kick out of planning (it’s weird, I know).

I started doing visual retail consulting having not returned to work after my second kid. I just can’t seem to stay away from retail!

For consulting work please visit focalcreative.co.nz for more information.

After graduating with a diploma in fashion design, I’ve held various visual merchandising roles both in New Zealand and abroad, working with some large, well known brands which has given me a crazy amount of knowledge about retail, customers and how it all ticks.

Over time, I have become more and more fascinated with the retail environment and the customer experience.

Work Experience

Key Responsibilities
• Managing the visual merchandising department including 3 direct reports
• Liaising with buyers (internal) and suppliers (external) regarding product, promotions and display initiatives
• Set and drive visual merchandising standards, providing instructions, coaching and support to store management and visual merchandising teams
• Managing and creating visual merchandising communications to stores
• Revamp creative strategy in relation to select departments and product lines
Major Achievements
Successfully implemented systems for team responsibility management and planning. Commenced working with an architect for new stores, providing input on physical design, fit out requirements and space planning. Planned and ran multiple successful visual merchandising training workshops.
Key Responsibilities
• Managing the visual merchandising department, including 3 direct reports
• Liaising with the executive team regarding major visual merchandising changes
• Create and execute training workshops for store staff in visual merchandising
• Managing the product placement and layout for all New Zealand and Australian stores
• Managing all franchisee visual merchandising communication
• Developing and managing action plans for all stock and creative changes for stores
Major Achievements
Created concept designs for, pitched, and art directed photo shoots. Re-established the visual merchandising department at head office and restructured roles. Created the visual merchandising audit and trained retail regionals in visual merchandising.
Key Responsibilities
Managing the visual merchandising department, including 3 direct reports and encompassing all aspects such as human resources, budget, in-store creative and execution, training and procurement
Major Achievements
Concept and design for the creative fit-out of the flagship Lambton Quay Glassons store. Managing the restructure of the visual merchandising department. Evolving the creative direction of the Glassons brand while still maintaining the Glassons customers know and love.
New Zealand
Companies -Glassons, Acquisitions, HBK Girl and Urban Angel
Positions - National Visual Merchandising Co-Ordinator, Regional Visual Merchandiser, Store Visual Merchandiser, Duty Manager, Inventory Manager and Retail Sales Advisor
Internationally
Companies - Sporting Life, Laura Ashley, BHS
Positions - Store Visual Merchandiser, Senior Visual Merchandiser, Area Visual Merchandiser