retail strategist

experience curator

futurist thinker

Matthew James Arrington

Matthew James Arrington

Hi & Welcome!

I’m Matthew - strategist, creator, and industry lover, focused on what’s next for physical and digital retail. I shape guest‑centric spaces that tell stories, inspire guests, and drive meaningful growth.

This site is a snapshot of my work and how I think about the future of retail and experience. If something here sparks an idea, let’s connect — I always enjoy talking shop with people who care about great experiences.

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CORE COMPETENCIES

Visual Merchandising

Leadership

Creative Direction

Storytelling

Market + Guest Insights

Experience Strategy

Visual Merchandising • Leadership • Creative Direction • Storytelling • Market + Guest Insights • Experience Strategy •

A barrier-breaking, consumer centric and agile retail leader, I deliver year on year growth through best in-class retail experiences that connect product, space and the guest.

I am known as a creative, solution-minded, influential collaborator who adds value with a unique mix of experience across mass market and specialty.

Motivated by change, I lead teams by example, demonstrating what is possible by challenging the status quo.

A fearless advocate for purpose + culture, I actively look for ways to learn and improve myself and my team.

MATTHEW JAMES ARRINGTON

Creator

Author

Builder

Storyteller

Artist

Creator • Author • Builder • Storyteller • Artist •

My Time in the Industry

deepening my passion for the work and sharpening my tools

Target

Detroit, NYC, Minneapolis

2015 - Current

Director, Brand Curation - Creative, Styling + Stores of Influence

  • Set and own the enterprise vision and long‑term strategy for Brand Curation, defining how style, culture, and storytelling drive guest relevance, brand differentiation, and sustained growth.

  • Built a Stores of Influence strategy, overseeing the vision of bespoke creative direction, store design and experiential marketing to ensure cultural credibility, brand relevance, and business impact; latest example is Target SoHo.

  • Lead and develop a team of Brand Stylists, building leadership capability, succession plans, and scalable ways of working to support enterprise growth; work includes elevated product photography to digital/social campaigns.

  • Manage relationships with creative and experiential agencies, ensuring seamless collaboration with in-house teams - reducing rework, improving outcomes and building strong, trusted partnerships.

  • Serve as a senior strategic advisor and influencer to Editorial, Creative, Marketing, Merchandising, and enterprise leadership—shaping direction, aligning priorities, and resolving ambiguity.

  • Balance creative ambition with operational rigor, ensuring Brand Curation delivers against both brand health and commercial outcomes.

Director, Guest Marketing Strategy - Style & Culture

  • Owned enterprise‑level guest marketing strategies aligned to editorial vision and enterprise priorities, driving sustained improvements in traffic, engagement, and business results.

  • Built and led a high‑performing, consumer‑first organization, setting expectations, developing leaders, and embedding adaptability in response to a rapidly evolving landscape.

  • Oversaw integrated brand partnership strategies across owned and paid channels, ensuring alignment to brand standards, cultural relevance, and performance goals.

  • Established data‑driven approaches to evaluate effectiveness, inform investment decisions, and scale successful strategies across channels.

  • Influenced cross‑functional senior partners to align on priorities, trade‑offs, and execution against shared enterprise outcomes.

// Program Lead, Diversity Action Committee

  • Led enterprise leadership forums for L7+ leaders, shaping ongoing education, dialogue, and accountability in support of DEI priorities.

Director, Retail Brand Experience - Apparel & Accessories

  • Owned enterprise presentation strategy from concept through clearance across multiple pyramids and complex initiatives, including partnerships, enterprise gifting, heritage moments, and brand launches.

  • Delivered multi‑billion‑dollar revenue impact while elevating the guest experience through cohesive, consistent, and compelling brand execution.

  • Led collaboration across large, matrixed cross‑functional teams, aligning diverse stakeholders to shared priorities and outcomes.

  • Used insights and data to drive innovation, inform strategic trade‑offs, and scale best practices across brand experience initiatives.

  • Built and delivered enterprise innovations supporting long‑term growth and brand relevance.

  • Led and developed a large, diverse leadership team, focusing on performance management, engagement, and leadership pipeline development.

// Recruiting Captain, Advancing Design Diversity

  • Led recruiting efforts for enterprise‑supported pro bono and mentorship programs, contributing to long‑term impact in American design diversity.

  • Advanced initiatives focused on expanding representation and access for Black design talent, aligning community impact with enterprise values.

Director, Field Visual Merchandising

  • Led field‑wide capability development, coaching leaders and teams on brand standards, experience‑led selling, and performance outcomes.

  • Oversaw training and execution for store openings, remodels, brand launches, and enterprise initiatives, improving efficiency, consistency, and cross‑team alignment.

Ann Inc.

New York City

Director, Visual Merchandising - NYC

  • Curated assortments and store experiences to drive sales and meet segmented guest needs

Uniqlo

New York City

Director, Visual Merchandising - East Coast

  • Developed seasonal flagship presentation + window strategies for the US market

Forever 21

Detroit

Director, Field Visual Merchandising

  • Responsible for visual execution in the market to drive sales and deliver exceptional guest experience

Educational Background

Hult International Business School

Bachelor of Science, Marketing

2008


London College of Fashion

Post Graduate Certificate, Merchandising + Marketing

2009


Forever a Student

Never Stop Looking For Opportunities To Learn

Today


Ideation to Execution

Lead marketing strategies and creative direction from ideation to execution across multiple pyramids and complex enterprise initiatives - cyclical assortments, partnerships, national brands, experiential activations and brand launches - resulting in multi-billion dollar sales + improved guest experience.

Unforgettable experiences with the Guest at the center.

Art + Science

Elevating the Experience

Champion collaboration across large cross functional teams by building strong influential relationships - leveraging expertise, driving shared outcomes and developing trust. Moving work from ideas to reality and elevating the omnichannel brand experience.

Drive results by utilizing insights + data, developing + iterating on the process and inspiring the team by creating an environment rooted in creativity + innovation.

“QUESTION EVERYTHING”

— Virgil Abloh —