KELSEY BACKER
Internship Experience
Product Coordination Intership
Location: Claim Clothing, Ellensburg, WA
During my tenure as an Assistant Product Coordination Intern at Claim Clothing, my primary responsibilities revolved around gaining a comprehensive understanding of merchandising and buyer practices within the fashion industry. This internship offered a unique opportunity for me to immerse myself in the dynamic world of fashion retail, where I learned how to strategically curate and present merchandise to maximize its appeal to customers.
Throughout my internship, I actively participated in various facets of the product coordination process. This encompassed tasks such as optimizing visual merchandising displays, actively engaging with customers to discern their preferences and needs, and strategically recommending complementary products to enhance sales. These experiences provided invaluable insights into the art of merchandising, allowing me to appreciate how product placement, presentation, and customer interaction are integral to driving demand and brand perception.
Additionally, I had the privilege of working closely with the store manager, who shared their expertise in buyer practices and procurement strategies. This mentorship allowed me to gain firsthand knowledge of how purchasing decisions are made, inventory is managed, and vendor relationships are nurtured to ensure a well-rounded and successful retail operation.
My internship at Claim Clothing was a pivotal learning experience that not only deepened my understanding of merchandising and buyer practices but also fostered a passion for the fashion industry.
Internship Responsibilities
-
Merchandise Selection: Assisted in the meticulous selection of merchandise for the store, considering factors such as customer preferences, market trends, and brand alignment.
-
Inventory Analysis: Conducted regular inventory analyses to evaluate product performance, identify slow-moving items, and recommend appropriate actions, including restocking or clearance strategies.
-
Vendor Communication: Maintained open lines of communication with vendors and suppliers, negotiating terms and conditions, tracking deliveries, and ensuring timely product availability.
-
Buying Strategy Development: Worked closely with senior buyers to develop buying strategies, including product assortment planning, pricing strategies, and stock level management.
-
Product Presentation: Collaborated on visual merchandising efforts, ensuring that product displays were strategically arranged to optimize customer engagement and sales.
-
Market Research: Conducted comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends and consumer preferences, helping guide future buying decisions.
-
Purchase Order Management: Assisted in the creation and management of purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely procurement of merchandise.
-
Sales Performance Monitoring: Tracked and analyzed sales data to assess the performance of various product categories, providing insights for future buying decisions.
-
Assortment Planning: Participated in the development of merchandise assortment plans, ensuring a balanced product mix that catered to the store's target audience.
-
Trend Forecasting: Leveraged market insights and trend analysis to forecast future demand, enabling proactive buying decisions.
Internship Work
Additional Work
