At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape store performance using data and insights to drive business success.
- Company: Join DFS Group, a vibrant community of brands focused on creating beautiful living spaces.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23 days holiday, health plans, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible work culture with room for personal growth and a focus on customer satisfaction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or merchandising, strong analytical skills, and project management abilities.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 45000 £ per year.
About us
At DFS Group, we're proud to help people create spaces they love to live in. We're home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company: three brands with their own personalities, brought together by a shared mission. Behind our brands is a passionate Group team. From Finance and Technology to People, Marketing and Supply Chain, our Group functions power everything we do. They create the foundations that allow our brands to thrive, innovate and grow. Whether you're supporting our brands or serving our customers, the mindset that connects us means we expect more of ourselves and each other. It means every customer is our favourite, every voice is valued, and every interaction is one we're proud of. When you're part of a community that shares your way of thinking, the wins feel bigger. The effort feels worth it. It's a place where people stay because they feel valued, and find room to grow because they're challenged.
About the role
As Store Planner, you'll play a key role in helping shape how our stores perform, using data, insight and commercial thinking to make informed decisions that drive business performance. You'll analyse product and store performance, turning data into clear, actionable insights that support the wider Commercial team. Working closely with our Store Format teams, you'll oversee store refits and new store openings, making sure projects stay on track, on time and deliver the right customer experience. You'll also work alongside the wider Merchandising team to optimise our product ranges, support range clearance and ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time. It's a varied role that combines commercial analysis, store planning, project management and merchandising, giving you the opportunity to make a real impact across our store estate.
What you'll be responsible for
- Maintaining and updating individual store range plans, working closely with Buyers to support new range launches and product roll-outs.
- Reviewing sales performance and space productivity to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Carrying out post-launch reviews of new stores and refits, sharing key insights and recommendations with the wider business.
- Identifying the right stores for new product development and supporting the successful introduction of products across the store network.
- Working collaboratively with the wider Merchandising and Buying teams to provide insight and support commercial decision-making.
- Managing multiple projects and priorities at the same time, ensuring key deadlines are met and essential activity stays on track.
- Using data, insight and commercial understanding to help ensure the right products are in the right stores, at the right time for our customers.
We're looking for someone who has
- Experience within a retail, merchandising, store planning or commercial environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Good numerical ability and confidence working with sales, product, store and space performance data.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of what drives retail performance.
- Experience managing projects or working across multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across different teams and levels.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets; Power BI or other data visualisation experience would be desirable but not essential.
- Strong attention to detail and excellent organisation skills.
- A curious and proactive mindset, with the confidence to challenge, investigate and identify opportunities for improvement.
- The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a wider team.
- A flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.
- A genuine focus on the customer, using insight to help ensure the right product is in the right place at the right time.
Don't let it discourage you if you don't have all of this experience, it's a guideline that will help you hit the ground running. If the role sounds like it would be a great fit for you and you're confident that it suits you, we'd love you to apply.
Room to grow
Everyone at DFS Group begins with a structured induction designed to help you understand our brands, our culture and how we work together. From day one, you will have access to our online Learning Hub, filled with digital courses, tools and resources to support your development. For leaders, we offer virtual workshops focused on building confident, capable leadership. We also run skills-based workshops to strengthen core capabilities across the business. Colleagues can also undertake nationally recognised qualifications through our apprenticeship programmes, giving you the opportunity to gain external accreditation while you grow your career with us.
Our DFS Group benefits
We believe great work deserves great support. That's why we offer benefits that help you grow, feel looked after, and enjoy life beyond work. Here's what we have to offer:
- 23 days holiday, plus the option to buy up to 5 more
- Enhanced family leave, with up to 20 weeks at 90% pay after one year, or 10 weeks at 90% if you've been with us less than a year
- Health cash plan from £2 a month, with everyday cashback
- Employee Assistance Programme for support when you need it
- Extras like flu vouchers, menopause support and health check
- Pension with company contributions
- Life assurance for peace of mind
- Sharesave scheme to save each month and invest in our future
- Structured induction from day one
- Access to our Learning Hub and skills workshops
- Leadership development and apprenticeship programmes
- 30% colleague discount, plus 15% for friends and family, three times a year
- Discounts and cashback at hundreds of retailers
- SmartTech scheme to buy tech up to £1,000 through salary sacrifice
- Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and accessories up to £1,500
- Electric vehicle lease scheme with Octopus to help you save and reduce your impact
- One paid volunteering day each year
Equal opportunities
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and makes room for different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We turn that commitment into action through colleague networks, trusted partnerships and recognised accessibility initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If your experience does not quite match every part of the role, we'd still love to hear from you. If you need any adjustments or additional support during the application process, please contact our Talent Team and we will be happy to help.
Retail Store Planner in Doncaster employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Store Planner in Doncaster
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like All The Top Bananas, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like All The Top Bananas!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Store Planner in Doncaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at All The Top Bananas, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at All The Top Bananas and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show All The Top Bananas that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
