Retail Store Designer in London

Retail Store Designer in London

London Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
K

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and adapt retail spaces for Kurt Geiger stores globally.
  • Company: Join a vibrant, inclusive footwear brand inspired by London.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, gym discounts, and flexible working hours.
  • Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and work on exciting international projects.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, creative environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in design and strong CAD skills required.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

  • Description
  • Kurt Geiger | About Us

We are an inclusive, creative footwear and accessories brand powered by kindness.

We want to empower our talent to be confident and true to themselves, the London way.

London is our home, our heartbeat, and we draw inspiration from the energy and spirit of the city; its diversity and creativity.

For over fifty years our team of in-house shoe and accessory designers have been creating authentic, distinctive designs from our London headquarters.

The rainbow is our signature.

It represents the good energy and love we have for our community and the many ways we collectively express our individual style.

  • We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness
  • | For Freedom | For Unity Against Racism

About the Role

Kurt Geiger is looking for a Junior to Mid-Weight Store Designer to join our Store Design team, supporting the continued rollout of Kurt Geiger stores and concessions across the UK and internationally.

This is a hands-on retail design role, working within established brand concepts and adapting them intelligently to suit individual locations, store formats and site conditions.

You will work across a varied portfolio including standalone stores, department store concessions, outlets, refurbishments and smaller store interventions.

The role covers the design process from initial space planning and concept adaptation through to 3D visualisation, design intent and technical drawing packages.

Our project pipeline is fast-paced and international, with multiple projects often running concurrently across different markets.

We're looking for someone with a strong design eye who is equally comfortable getting into the detail and taking ownership of their workload.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop store designs from initial survey and site information through to approved design intent packages.
  • Adapt established Kurt Geiger store concepts to different footprints, formats and site conditions while maintaining brand consistency.
  • Produce fixture layouts, reflected ceiling plans, flooring plans, elevations, sections and detailed design drawings as required.
  • Create high-quality 3D visualisations using Sketch Up and V-Ray for design development, internal reviews, landlord submissions and design intent packs.
  • Develop shopfronts, signage, finishes, lighting layouts and architectural elements within the established store concept.
  • Coordinate store layouts with visual merchandising requirements, product densities, operational requirements and customer circulation.
  • Review surveys, landlord drawings, department store information and technical criteria and incorporate requirements into the design.
  • Prepare comprehensive drawing and visual packages for landlord and design approvals, responding to comments and mark-ups as required.
  • Coordinate with external architects and drawing teams where full construction drawing packages are produced by third parties.
  • Liaise with millworkers, contractors and suppliers to resolve design queries and review shop drawings, material samples and finishes.
  • Work closely with the wider Store Development team to ensure designs are practical and deliverable within programme and budget.
  • Support value engineering and develop alternative solutions where required without compromising the overall design intent.
  • Coordinate materials, finishes and samples and maintain consistency across rollout projects.
  • Attend site surveys, installations and snagging visits where required.
  • Maintain accurate drawing revisions and project information across a high volume of live projects.
  • Support international projects, with opportunities for overseas travel.

Requirements

  • Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or a related discipline.
  • Have previous experience, ideally within retail design, store development or a retail-focused design practice.
  • Strong Auto CAD skills are essential.
  • Strong Sketch Up and V-Ray skills, with the ability to produce polished, realistic visualisations.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and In Design.
  • Strong space-planning skills and a good creative eye.
  • Good technical drawing ability and an understanding of how designs translate into built environments.
  • Good knowledge of materials, finishes, joinery and retail detailing.
  • Ability to interpret surveys, landlord drawings and technical information.
  • An understanding of the relationship between design, visual merchandising and retail operations.
  • Commercial awareness and an understanding that design decisions need to balance brand, quality, programme and cost.
  • Highly organised and comfortable managing multiple projects and competing deadlines simultaneously.
  • Excellent attention to detail and comfortable working at pace.
  • Proactive and resourceful, with the confidence to identify problems and propose solutions.
  • A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively with internal teams, consultants, suppliers and international partners.
  • The Person

We're looking for someone who is practical as well as creative.

You don't need to arrive with years of experience developing completely new retail concepts from scratch.

More important is a strong design eye, excellent CAD and visualisation skills and the ability to understand an established concept and apply it intelligently to different sites.

You'll need to enjoy the variety that comes with retail rollout.

One project might involve developing a full standalone store, while the next could be adapting the concept for a department store concession or resolving a site-specific design issue for an international opening.

You'll be joining a busy team with a significant global project pipeline, so you'll need to be organised, adaptable, curious and comfortable taking ownership of your projects while working closely with the wider team.

Why Join Us?

You'll work on a broad international portfolio of Kurt Geiger stores and concessions and gain exposure to the full lifecycle of retail design, from initial survey and space planning through design development, visualisation, technical coordination, manufacture, construction and opening.

You'll work alongside our Store Development, Visual Merchandising, Retail and Creative teams, as well as architects, contractors and manufacturers around the world.

It's an opportunity to gain a significant amount of live project experience and develop both your creative and technical retail design skills within a fast-paced global fashion brand.

Benefits

  • Competitive basic salary
  • Pension and life assurance
  • Gym Discounts
  • Retailtrust support
  • Enviable discounts
  • Harrods Discount
  • Monthly half day Friday’s

• And so much more!

Our Culture

We’re an energic fast-paced brand that embraces progress and strives for innovation.

Hard work is rewarded with new opportunities at every level and kindness is celebrated in everything we do.

Our summer working hours accommodate a healthy work life balance.

Wellbeing is important to our working culture, which is why we nurture a friendly environment for talent to thrive in, alongside a vibrant social community.

Our Stores

The first Kurt Geiger store opened on London Bond street in 1963.

Today, our brand has global appeal and is distributed in hundreds of cities around the world.

We operate over 70 stand-alone stores nationwide, including our new flagship store on London Oxford street, and in over 400 stores globally.

Beyond stand-alone stores and retail pop ups, our retail partners include some of the world’s most famous department stores.

  • We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness |
  • For Freedom | For Unity Against Racism

Retail Store Designer in London employer: Kurt Geiger

Kurt Geiger is an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and creativity, making it a vibrant place to work in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and enviable discounts, we empower our team to thrive in a fast-paced environment while embracing the diverse spirit of the city. Join us to be part of a community that values kindness and individuality, where your contributions are recognised and rewarded.

K

Contact Details:

Kurt Geiger Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail Store Designer in London

Get Your Portfolio Game On Point

As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!

Slide into Networking Events

Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Kurt Geiger who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!

Learn the Software Inside Out

Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.

Refine Your Interview Skills

Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!

We think you need these skills to ace Retail Store Designer in London

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Adaptability
Teamwork

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!

Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Kurt Geiger!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Kurt Geiger. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!

Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kurt Geiger

Master the Technical Questions

In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability

In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Kurt Geiger.