Marcus Merta

Head of Retail Design @ SNIPES

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

Retail Design Lead at Snipes. Textile engineer graduate with a 2.4 honors degree from the University of HS Niederrhein with excellent communication and managerial skills. A highly motivated, creative and hard-working Individual with fifteen years of experience in the fashion industry. Having fulfilled a range of positions spanning Marketing, VM and Design.

Experience

  • SNIPES (Hybrid)
    • Head of Retail Design
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Team Lead Retail Design & Development
      Oct 2022 - Jan 2025 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      - Leading all retail design related topics for Snipes globally - Managing the design team by providing individual development and ensuring a smooth run of the daily business - Collaborating with the construction leads of all countries for correct and efficient implementations of new or bespoke retail developments - Supervising the store planning team on layouts and consumer journey - Overseeing all aspects of cost engineering within the design department - Liaising with global brand partners to ensure SIS identities are in line with both snipes and respective brand identities - Providing creative direction on new in-store experiences and strategies for marketing activations - Consistently challenging the existing store concepts to stay relevant in a highly competitive market

    • Senior Store Designer
      May 2020 - Sep 2022 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      - Driving all retail design developments for Snipes globally - Supporting the store planning team on layout building and implementation of the best consumer journey - Developing new in-store tools for everchanging product presentation and communication requirements - Defining new digital touchpoints which resonate with Snipes consumers - Maintaining relationships with external suppliers and agencies - Collaborating with the marketing teams on all retail activations - Managing budget and overseeing project-based costs - Creating presentations and guidelines

  • adidas (Herzogenaurach)
    • Manager Retail Concept Creation
      May 2019 - Apr 2020 · 1 yr

      • Designing holistic retail concepts for global roll out and flagships • Developing fixtures, furniture & fittings • Planning store layouts and visualize 3D views using ‘SketchUp’, ‘Vectorworks’ & ‘V-Ray’ • Briefing and managing external agencies & suppliers • Defining atmospheric and architectural features such as lighting and wall finishes • Setting the end-to-end story telling process to build a holistic consumer experience • Creating the material and finishes schedule to ensure value engineering is considered

    • Manager Retail Concept Creation - Visual Merchandising
      Oct 2016 - Apr 2019 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      • Designing holistic retail concepts for global roll out and flagships • Developing fixtures, fittings & mannequins • Planning store layouts and visualize 3D views using ‘SketchUp’, ‘Vectorworks’ & ‘V-Ray’ • Managing external agencies & suppliers • Controlling the placement of seasonal communication, digital and experiential touchpoints along the consumer journey • Managing the end-to-end story telling process to build a holistic consumer experience • Creating visual merchandising strategies, standards, and guidelines including renderings visualized with 3D software ‘ShopShape’ • Liaising with the business units to manage the best level of campaign execution including window & launch-zone design

  • COS (1 yr 11 mos)
    • Visual Merchandising Manager
      May 2015 - Sep 2016 · 1 yr 5 mos

      • Planning of seasonal campaign execution along the consumer journey • Optimizing the store layout to ensure a balance of commerciality and brand messaging • Creating outfits based on consumer typologies and shopping behaviour • Analysing sales figures and shop floor to improve sales strategies • Working as part of management team to ensure smooth running of the business • Coaching staff on visual standards and seasonal trends and stories • Liaising with store team to ensure effective stock maintenance relating to VM displays • Planning of store activations

    • Visual Merchandising Assistant Manager
      Nov 2014 - Apr 2015 · 6 mos

      • Working closely with Visual Merchandising Manager and supporting the planning processes • Arranging window displays and manage sell through of window lines • Maintaining shop floor and product presentation according to COS’ guidelines • Supporting management and sales staff to ensure high level of customer service • Overseeing daily finances including payments and refunds

  • Sales Manager & Visual Merchandiser at ACTC GmbH
    Feb 2014 - Oct 2014 · 9 mos

    • Acting as brand ambassador and pitching new collections to buyers • Acquiring new clients across the country • Dealing with inventory control system (stock levels, distribution, reorders) • Meeting with the sales team to discuss sales strategies • Planning of brand activations and trade shows • Creating concepts & visual merchandising guidelines for show rooms and trade shows • Coaching sales teams on guidelines and training them to execute the visual concepts • Planning and developing a pop-up store from inception • Maintaining budget and negotiating pricing with suppliers of visual materials • Liaising with marketing and sales managers to ensure brand has the adequate visual impact • Conceptualizing and styling for look books and online shop

  • Sales Advisor at COS
    Dec 2009 - Jan 2014 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    • Liaising with customers • Overseeing daily finances including payments and refunds • Dealing with complaints and queries • Adhering to company’s vision and values • Maintaining company security standards • Being aware of promotions and ensuring displays are up to date • Supporting visual merchandising team and assisting with various tasks • Help arranging window displays in line with commercial focus as well as aesthetic look