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
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Leadership
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Creative Direction
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Storytelling
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Market + Guest Insights
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Experience Strategy
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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
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Author
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Builder
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Storyteller
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Artist
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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 —