At a Glance
- Tasks: Maximise sales and profit through smart merchandise planning and data analysis.
- Company: Join Anthropologie, a unique retailer with a creative and dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, employee discounts, wellness support, and a vibrant work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to make a real impact in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that shapes trends and influences customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Strong retail math skills, analytical mindset, and a passion for fashion and home décor.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Us
Founded in 1992, Pennsylvania, USA, by current URBN chairman and president Dick Hayne, Anthropologie was named after his college major (with a decidedly French twist) Anthropologie, which now operates over 200 stores worldwide, has evolved into a leading one‑of‑a‑kind destination for those seeking a curated mix of clothing, accessories, gifts and home décor to reflect their personal style. In 2009 the brand launched its first store in London and now has over 18 stores in the UK and Europe.
Role Summary
This is an amazing opportunity for an Assistant Planner/Assistant Merchandiser to join our Anthropologie Home Office team. Anthropologie is a dynamic and expanding retailer that prides itself on being creatively unique and of high quality across our Stores and Online channels. This is a fantastic chance to work for such an outstanding retailer. Anthropologie delivers a shopping experience unlike any other, offering a diverse assortment of Women’s fashion, Accessories and Shoes, Home Décor and Furniture which constantly changes and exhibits a range of influences from vintage to global. We also collaborate with artists and designers that we have discovered from all over the globe, from ceramicists in South Africa to artisans in Wales. Customers delight in Anthropologie’s handwriting and diversity with merchandise constantly changing and exhibiting a broad range of influences.
The role of the assistant planner is to maximize sales and profit by developing sound merchandise plans that support Company goals for Sales, Full price sell-through, Stock turn and Margin.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Channel Analysis: Generating accurate, clear analysis to support buying decisions across both total business and by Retail and Direct (DTC) channels independently.
- Attributes Analysis: Responsible for generating analysis to help support buying decisions across a wide variety of product attributes, including but not exclusive to style, product type, price and colour.
- Assortment Plan Ownership: Managing data integrity and accuracy of the Assortment Plan—setting it up for new seasons, ensuring accuracy at all times, and highlighting key changes weekly.
- Option Planning: Partnering with the Planner/Merchandiser to utilise analytics to shape future option planning, considering store assortments and our digital offering.
- Trading & Margins: Monitoring and evaluating sales of current styles on a weekly basis, partnering with the Buyers and Planner/Merchandiser to support and drive in‑season trading to maintain intake, maximise potential, and protect profit margins.
- Stock & Line Flows: Ownership of line flows and reorders into the business. Monitoring ROS, WOS, and size/colour availability, while liaising with the buying team in terms of required deliveries and maintaining NOOS.
- Inventory & Markdown Strategy: Identifying inventory levels needed to support the rate of sale and the markdown strategy for a merchandise area based on sell‑through percent, WOS, and planned product life span.
- Markdown Budgeting: Managing the markdown process—identifying lines to markdown while constantly reviewing the need for further markdown spend through a WSSI during the sale period, summarising data to present to the Planner for sign‑off.
- Team Leadership: Managing, mentoring, and progressing an allocator, as well as leading the allocation strategy by adapting to in‑season trade, store performance, and buy strategy.
- Process Improvement: Implementing, refining, and maximising new systems and processes.
What You’ll Need
- Strong command of retail math concepts and applications.
- Strong statistical analysis skills.
- Strong communication skills and ability to build relationships across all areas of the business, from your team, throughout head office and to the Fulfilment Centre and shipping team.
- A proactive, enthusiastic attitude with a strong interest in and awareness of the broader retail market and customer buying trends.
- Excellent organisational, prioritising and problem‑solving skills key to meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
- Ability to work well within a small, dynamic team environment.
- Technical skills including advanced Excel skill and proficiency with retail systems.
- A flexible and adaptable approach to work.
- Displaying leadership and management potential.
- Confidence to question the norm, suggesting new ideas backed with figures.
- Develop strong partnerships with buyers to understand their vision and direction, establish an understanding of the customer and buying trends.
The Perks
- Work-life balance: Flexible start and finish times, Bring your dog to work.
- Wellbeing: Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health, Fully equipped free gym and on‑site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount off external gym memberships, Private Medical Insurance.
- Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands!
- Community: One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
- Travel: Cycle to work scheme, Season ticket loan.
- Continued Development: We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development.
Equal Opportunity Statement
URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.
Anthropologie Assistant Planner employer: Anthropologie
Anthropologie in Manchester is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises creativity and team development. With a focus on employee well-being and attractive perks like discounts, the company fosters an environment where leaders can thrive and inspire their teams, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about retail management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Anthropologie Assistant Planner
✨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 Anthropologie, 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 Anthropologie!
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 Anthropologie, 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 Anthropologie 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 Anthropologie that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anthropologie
✨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!
