Visual Merchandising Strategist

Cotswold Outdoor Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading outdoor retailer is seeking a Visual Merchandising Strategist to develop and implement visual strategies that enhance customer experience. This role offers a starting salary of £38,500 - £40,000 and includes hybrid working options to promote work-life balance. Other benefits include up to £1,500 yearly bonus, extensive holiday allowance, and significant staff discounts. The successful candidate will need strong visual merchandising knowledge, creativity, and a collaborative mindset in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Yearly bonus up to £1,500

Hybrid working options

33 days holiday

Staff discounts of 40-60%

Savings on everyday essentials

Qualifications

• Understanding of visual merchandising principles to create a great customer experience.
• Ability to keep up with retail cycles and trends.
• Skilled in developing clear visual merchandising guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver seasonal visual merchandising strategies.
• Translate creative concepts into practical guidelines.
• Collaborate with marketing and retail operations.

Skills

Visual merchandising principles

Commercial awareness

Adobe Creative Suite

Creativity

Project management

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

At Cotswold Outdoor Group, the outdoors isn't just where we work, it's who we are. Every day, our head office teams play a vital role in helping people get outside, explore more, and experience the world around them.

We're looking for a Visual Merchandising Strategist to join us on that journey. This role is about more than just day-to-day responsibilities, it's about shaping how we inspire our customers, support our stores, and grow our community of adventurers.

We're currently based in Kemble but will be moving to central Swindon in Spring 2026 - just a short walk from the train station and the new bus boulevard. It's an exciting next step in our adventure, and a chance for you to be part of it from the very start. You can take a look at our new location here: 1 Newbridge Square, Swindon.

About Us

We believe life's better when it's lived outdoors. From hiking and wild swimming to simply stepping away from the screen, nature helps us feel alive.

At our head office, every role helps make those adventures possible. Whether it's shaping our systems, supporting our teams or driving key initiatives, you'll play a vital part in helping people get outside and explore more.

We're part of the Cotswold Outdoor Group, including Runners Need and Snow + Rock, offering trusted brands, expert advice, and a commitment to protecting the planet.

Whether it's your first step or your next move, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and be part of something bigger.

How will you make an impact?

• Developing and delivering seasonal visual merchandising strategies with key stakeholders
• Translating creative concepts into practical guidelines and best practices for stores and regional teams
• Partnering with field teams to gather feedback, track implementation and ensure consistent execution
• Collaborating with marketing, buying, and retail operations to align product focus with brand priorities
• Analysing performance, trends and customer insights to recommend improvements and guide future strategies

You’ll fit right in if…

• You have a solid understanding of visual merchandising principles and how to create a great customer experience
• You're commercially aware, keeping on top of retail cycles, product launches, and trends
• You can develop clear visual merchandising guidelines and are confident using creative tools like Adobe Creative Suite or PowerPoint
• You're organised, able to manage projects, interpret data, and solve problems along the way
• You bring creativity, attention to detail, and a customer-first mindset to everything you do
• You enjoy collaborating with others, communicating clearly, and adapting in a fast-paced environment

What's in it for you?

Joining our team means more than just getting paid a salary, it's about being part of a workplace that values you, your growth and your wellbeing.

You’ll Enjoy

• Starting salary of £38,500 - £40,000 with a yearly bonus of up to £1,500
• Hybrid working options to support your work‑life balance
• 33 days holiday allowing you to recharge and explore the outdoors
• Staff discounts of 40-60% across our full range of outdoor brands
• Savings on everyday essentials including groceries, travel, fitness, and entertainment through our perks hub

Everyone's welcome

We welcome applications from all genders, backgrounds, and experiences. Diverse teams make us stronger, helping us learn, grow, and create a place where everyone belongs.

We want to hear your voice so encourage you to write your own application and use AI tools sparingly. We're looking for honesty, authenticity, and a real sense of who you are. Applications that feel generic or AI-generated may not stand out.

This advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so don't wait too long to apply.