At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead visual merchandising for our flagship store, creating immersive experiences for customers.
- Company: Join POP MART, a global leader in designer toys and collectibles.
- Benefits: Enjoy monthly gifts, bonuses, training programmes, and team events.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for growth in a multicultural setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that connects art and retail in an exciting environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in visual merchandising with a passion for designer toys and pop culture.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
POP MART (09992.HK), founded in 2010, is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services, and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers. POP MART identifies and nurtures emerging artists and designers worldwide, creating popular character IPs through a well-established development and operation system. Its portfolio includes iconic characters such as MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, and Hirono.
What to Expect
- Contribute to a fast-growing European business that combines retail, art, IP, creativity, and storytelling.
- Work with passionate teams across different countries, all connected by a shared love for designer toys, collectibles, and unique customer experiences.
- Work within an international and collaborative environment alongside colleagues from different cultural backgrounds.
- Contribute directly to the visual expression and customer experience of a new London flagship store.
- Grow your skills through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, structured training, and opportunities to explore new creative ideas.
- Help bring POP MART’s characters, products, and stories to life through visual merchandising and immersive retail experiences.
Benefits
- Monthly appreciation gifts featuring our latest POP MART designs.
- A structured bonus scheme linked to company and individual performance.
- Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for counselling and wellbeing support.
- Training and development programmes that build both professional skills and creative thinking.
- Regular team events that bring people together to share ideas and celebrate the work of the team.
- Access to employee benefits and discount platforms, subject to applicable company arrangements.
The Role and Candidate
We are searching for an In-Store Flagship Visual Merchandising Manager to own the day-to-day visual expression of the new POP MART London Flagship Store, working closely with the Store Manager, Regional Visual Merchandiser, and Head of Visual Merchandising to keep visual standards running smoothly from opening to close. This role combines hands-on VM execution with in-store team leadership and commercial awareness. You’ll be the key VM point of contact within the store, translating regional and global VM direction into a consistently impeccable, brand-true environment, while also training and guiding the wider store team to share responsibility for visual standards.
Responsibilities
- Conduct pre-opening window and store checks — product positioning, props, styling, lighting, and overall cleanliness — ensuring standards are impeccable before doors open.
- Check VM standards and product placement across all product categories, updating displays where items have sold out or need refreshing.
- Plan larger VM moves, including department updates, rotations, new launches, window and display changes, for pre-opening hours; carry out smaller updates during trading hours.
- Empower the wider store team to share responsibility for maintaining VM standards throughout the day.
- Oversee product displays and stock presentation, ensuring all categories are consistently well represented and last pieces are replaced promptly.
- Ensure the closing team completes a VM checklist so displays are reset and ready for the following day.
- Manage VM prop inventory — stocktaking, proper storage, organisation, and availability for use.
- Establish structured communication with the Regional Visual Merchandiser, flagging product newness, shortages, and improvement suggestions based on trading patterns.
- Conduct regular floor walks with the Store Manager, Area Manager, and Head of Retail to review standards and discuss longer-term visual strategy.
- Lead VM training for new store team members and provide ongoing guidance on VM guidelines.
- Lead preparation for seasonal launches — product visibility, delivery readiness, and installation timing — in partnership with the Regional Visual Merchandiser and Head of Visual Merchandising.
- Install new window displays and product launches, then update in-store displays post-launch to reflect the new merchandising.
- Localise global and regional VM direction for the flagship store and UK audience.
- Analyse customer engagement and sales data to refine display effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve product visibility and customer experience.
- Support new store openings and marketing events elsewhere in the UK network as needed.
- Maintain strong communication with the Store Manager, Regional Visual Merchandiser, and Head of Visual Merchandising regarding VM standards, product newness, shortages, customer engagement, and visual opportunities.
- Be available to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight shifts around launches or major visual changes.
Required Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in Visual Merchandising, Retail Design, Event Setup, or a related field.
- 3+ years of proven experience in visual merchandising within a fast-paced, high-footfall retail environment — flagship or premium lifestyle brand experience is a strong advantage.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating creative, brand-aligned display concepts and spatial planning.
- Exceptional attention to detail, with a hands-on approach to daily store presentation.
- Confident communicator, able to lead and train store teams and collaborate across multicultural, cross-functional teams.
- Comfortable making fast, confident VM decisions in response to a changing shop floor.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple visual priorities within a fast-paced flagship environment.
- Strong understanding of visual merchandising principles, product presentation, styling, spatial planning, and customer experience.
- Genuine passion for visual merchandising, designer toys, collectibles, IP-led brands, and creative retail experiences.
- Ability to translate global and regional VM direction into consistent and engaging in-store execution.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to use customer observations, trading patterns, and sales data to refine visual merchandising decisions.
- Willingness and flexibility to work early, late, weekend, or overnight shifts around launches and major visual changes.
- Willingness to travel to other UK locations as required.
- Comfortable with the physical requirements of the role, including lifting, carrying, moving, and installing merchandise, props, and VM materials in accordance with company health and safety procedures.
Desirable but Not Essential
- Experience in window and set merchandising within a global brand.
- Experience with designer toys, collectibles, fashion accessories, or lifestyle brands.
- Strong understanding of local market trends and customer preferences in the designer toy or collectibles sector.
- Familiarity with Asian pop culture and current designer toy trends, including the role of social media in customer engagement and brand perception.
- Experience working within a flagship, premium, or high-footfall retail environment.
- Experience delivering product launches, seasonal campaigns, window installations, or major visual merchandising changes.
- Experience training or guiding wider store teams on visual merchandising standards.
- Experience using sales performance and customer insights to inform visual merchandising decisions.
- Interest in POP MART’s character IPs, including MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, and Hirono.
- Experience supporting new store openings, retail events, or major brand activations.
In-Store Flagship Visual Merchandising Manager in London employer: POP MART
At POP MART, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that celebrates creativity and collaboration. As a Flagship Stock Manager in our new London store, you'll benefit from structured training, ongoing development opportunities, and a supportive team environment, all while contributing to a fast-growing global brand in the designer toy industry. With regular team events and a focus on employee wellbeing, POP MART is dedicated to fostering a workplace where your skills can flourish and your contributions are valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land In-Store Flagship Visual Merchandising Manager in London
✨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 POP MART, 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 POP MART!
We think you need these skills to ace In-Store Flagship Visual Merchandising Manager in London
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 POP MART, 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 POP MART 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 POP MART that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at POP MART
✨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!
