Alice Fazakerley

After I completed my year placement at Matalan Head Office, I decided to continue my journey with the company and apply for a Sales Assistant role. My role at Head Office has really helped me with my new role in store, as I now understand the customer and the products a lot more. I also understand the retail environment through my University studies which helps me in my job role, as I can recognise Visual Merchandising and how store layout affects the customer journey.

I completed a year placement at Matalan Head Office as a Trainee Assistant Buyer on the Childrenswear department, more specifically, Girlswear. I was given many responsibilities such as updating and creating the critical path, completing benchmarking (high street and online), checking samples including gold seals, visiting factories, building new ranges, attending/setting up for sign off meetings, liaising with suppliers, and many more incredible opportunities. It was an amazing experience which has allowed me to gain professional and personal skills whilst learning the role of a Buyer.

Employed by Revolution Bars in Fallowfield, Manchester. Firstly employed as promotion staff – this job required confidence and determination which I believe I exhibited throughout my time in this position, as I had to be able to engage with potential customers and try to encourage them to have a fun night out in Revolution. Chose to move positions and became bar staff - I believe I handled this change with a positive mind-set. I am expected to prepare complicated cocktails quickly so the customers can be served efficiently. I believe the late night hours show I am driven and unafraid of a challenge. In the first month of my bar staff role, was awarded Employee of the Month for my hard work and ability to learn a new skill quickly, as I had never worked behind a bar before.

I worked as a sales assistant in Oasis, completing tasks such as personal shops which allowed me to interact closely with the consumers, resulting in a better work atmosphere and overall friendly environment for staff and customers. I sorted through large deliveries before inputting them, completed store reports, changed mannequins following VM instructions and completed daily sales trackers. Was trusted to work full time for a week as a supervisor and was left in charge of many tasks which I was expected to complete during shifts when I was the only member of staff present. This shows I can work independently as well as with others, ensuring the job is completed to a high standard.

Worked as a waitress for 2 years at Briars Hall Hotel in Lathom where I completed bar food work and silver service at events such as weddings, christenings and birthday parties. This job allowed me to work with a variety of people and taught me how to handle situations differently. Taught me great work ethic and gained experience in dealing with a range of customers.

Relevant University Modules 1st Year = Fashion Marketing and Retail (2:1), Management and the Apparel Pipeline (2:2), Fashion (2:1), Fashion Function and Aesthetics (2:2). 2nd Year = Fashion Product Development (2:1), Fashion Brand Promotion (1st), In-Store Environment (1st). Gained knowledge about trends and how they progress through my Fashion Product Development module as I was expected to create a Range Development Project, designing and creating my own pieces using Adobe Illustrator – expanded my buying knowledge and abilities. Gained analytical skills from my Fashion Marketing and Retail module especially – was expected to construct a PESTEL essay which included us researching the current macro environment and analysing which parts would be suitable to include. Gained data visualisation skills through my Fashion Business and Analysis module in my 2nd year, as we were expected to construct Excel spreadsheets which analysed Activity Based Costing data.