Now Hiring: Visual Merchandising and Marketing Manager

We’re hiring a Visual Merchandising and Marketing Manager for SCOUT Bags!

The Visual Merchandising and Marketing Manager will spearhead merchandising, collaborate on marketing content, and play a key role in all special events. The position requires someone who is motivated by and passionate about retail, sales support, fashion, merchandising and marketing. They will be responsible for developing merchandise strategies and working collaboratively with other departments such as Sales, Marketing and Product. Additionally, they will drive growth through all aspects including visual merchandising, marketing and business development. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a creative mindset with a good understanding of wholesale sales and service.

To learn more about the position & apply, click here.

Now Hiring: Retail Sales Associates

We are hiring Part-time Retail Sales Associates for our clean beauty client at their 2 locations in San Francisco.

You will be responsible for educating & selling over 110 brands. Through one-on-one personal attention; clean swap consultations, mini facials, spa services, & color consultations, you will work closely with all clients to ensure satisfaction. Candidates must be available for at least 10 hours per week.

Click here to read the full job description and to apply. Know a great candidate? Refer them by emailing info@emergingblue.com.

Now Hiring: Retail Planner (remote)

We are searching for a Retail Planner candidate for our awesome apparel client. This is a freelance, remote role that is targeted to June 2021. If you have seasoned Excel skills with strong macro and formula experience, exceptional retail planning skills, and have the ability to read, analyze, and interpret retail reports, then this is the right role for you.

Click here to read the full job description and to apply!

Make Your Pop-Up Event an Experience!

With many big retailers closing their brick-and-mortar retail locations, brands are turning to experiential pop-up events to give customers a fun experience, drive customer loyalty, and bring about new customer acquisition.

According to Storefront — a platform where you can rent retail spaces — user-friendly ecommerce shops will be crucial for the survival of brands. They also must pair it with unique, customer-centered physical stores, too. A key element to these unique stores is that they must give an amazing experience to continue to drive customer engagement. Many of these physical store locations will be in the form of an experiential pop-up shop so that retailers do not have to get tied into a long lease.

As a brand, you may be thinking “how do I create a unique retail experience that highlights our brand while standing out and driving customers?” Great news, our team at Emerging Blue put together a list of creative ideas to start your on your path of designing an experiential retail experience that customers won’t forget.

-- One of our amazing clients, Havaianas, wanted to stand out and try something new so they created an experiential experience where they sell their products our of vintage Vans near the beach. It speaks to their brand, product, and delivers a shopping experience that is unlike its competitors.

-- It also doesn't have to just sell a product, for example, our client Blondey McCoy combined retail with art to give an experience their customers would never forget. By collaborating with other local events and artists that vibe with your brand, you maximize your reach and success of the event.

--You can also combine it with a nonprofit or social cause to stand out. Our client Manduka collaborated with Susan G. Komen Foundation to host Project OM in Bryant Park and Santa Monica.

As you have read, it is important to design a unique retail experience to help drive customers back into the stores and to develop new customers. Whether it’s an experiential retail store on the beach or in the middle of a park, craft it to be true to your brand’s identity, as well as make it fun and interactive!

With the rise in experiential retail events and pop-up shops, freelance hiring is also on the rise. During the pandemic, freelance work has been crucial for many businesses and continues to be. Freelance work currently represents 36% of the current workforce, and is on the rise with the opening of new experiential stores.

Experiential retail stands out and it is critical to have the right staff to deliver that exceptional and unique experience. You definitely want to stand out compared to the kiosks found in malls, as well as have the right talent. A major part of having a successful experiential retail event / pop-up shop is to have staff that is brand appropriate to give your customers your specific, unique brand experience. Recruiting, hiring, and staffing takes times (and money), that is why many brands turn to Emerging Blue because we specialize in all things hiring so that brands can focus on their product, experiential store design, and other logistics around running a successful pop-up event.

Here at Emerging Blue we specialize in experiential retail staffing, and work with our clients and brands to make sure we find the right talent for their specific needs. We design specialized recruiting plans and leverage all of our networks to drive the best and brightest talent to our unique clients to help them achieve their goals and have successful events.

Click here to read more about our recruiting services and choose a staffing solution that works best for you!

Now Hiring: Flagship Store Director

We are hiring! We are on the search for a Flagship Store Director for our amazing client in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a perfect role for a high-volume store director to join a fast-growing company. In this exciting role, the store director will be responsible for managing a group of in-store Operations Specialist, Visual Merchandisers, and Facilities Team Members, while supporting the in- store Expert and Valuation team. This role is based in the flagship store.

Additionally, the store director will be responsible for growth of new and existing customer and relationships. They will be responsible for driving the shop experience and all front of house experience, as well as build business strategies with the front of house team and collaborates readily with relevant business partners. This role will also be responsible for recruiting top level front of house candidates and continuing their development.

Click here to read the full job description & to apply. We also love referrals. Feel free to share this job with anyone you feel would be a great fit.

Now Hiring: Store Manager

We are hiring a Store Manager/Shop Manager for our apparel client in Dallas, TX. The Store Manager is responsible for managing a group of in-store Operations Specialist, Visual Merchandisers, and Facilities Team Members, while supporting the in- store Expert and Valuation team.

This exciting management role is based in a retail location in a very stylish part of Dallas. The Store Manager will lead growth of new and existing customer and consignor relationships. They will be responsible for driving the store experience and all front of house experience. Additionally, the Store Manager builds business strategies with the front of house team and collaborates readily with relevant business partners.

Click here to read the full job description + to apply!

Now Hiring: Product Director

Our amazing client, Free Fly Apparel, is looking for an experienced and talented Product Director to lead the evolution of their product line through innovation in merchandising, design, and development. The role requires a hands-on approach with a small but talented team who are eager to contribute, learn, and grow. They will be responsible for establishing an over-arching vision for product that aligns with their unique brand identity and is relevant to their existing core customer base while enabling Free Fly to acquire new customers with compelling and relevant assortments. The Product Director will report directly to the Free Fly leadership team and will be responsible for product merchandising, design, and development teams. Please Note: This position is a full-time role and is based out of their headquarters in Charleston, SC.

Interested in this exciting opportunity? Click here to read the full job description & to apply! Feel free to refer a qualified candidate, too.

About Free Fly Apparel

Free Fly Apparel is a Charleston, SC-based performance clothing company specializing in unique bamboo material blends. Before launching in 2011, the team at Free Fly Apparel spent over two years of research and development to come up with the softest performance fabrics imaginable. Their design philosophy is anchored in fun and adventure while superior design and craftsmanship remains their focus. Whether you're on the water, exploring the mountains or hitting the gym, their confident this will quickly become your favorite shirt.

Free Fly's products are sold throughout 400+ specialty stores (domestic and international) and they are also available through their website at www.freeflyapparel.com.

Now Hiring: Retail Pop-up Keyholder

We are hiring for an exciting Retail Pop-up Event in Venice Beach. Come work on the beach in a hip pop-up, where the surf is king! If you are a seasoned retail sales leader, then this may be the perfect opportunity for you! Interested in the freelance Keyholder position with our awesome client in Venice Beach? Send your information and resume directly to Emerging Blue’s Talent Leader, Sally Daliege — sally@emergingblue.com and if you know a great candidate, feel free to refer them.

A New Ecommerce Luxe Fashion Consignment Store Launches

Meet The NOBO, a San Francisco-based new e-commerce platform focused on luxury consignment. The peer-to-peer marketplace offers its users to shop tons of luxury fashion and even invites bartering to the platform. From watches, to shoes… all the way to beautiful accessories, the online consignment store brings luxury fashions at a fraction of the retail cost. Congratulations to Noelle Bonner on your launch! We are so excited to see your positive impact on the market and your many successes. Click here to read the full article on Biz Journals.

Client Spotlight - Lollygag

Meet Lollygag!

Lollygag is a fresh ecommerce lifestyle brand serving up a curated product assortment along with delicious recipes.

Created by the Dynamic Design Duo, Kiko & Leo, Lollygag launched this year with a lot of “blood, sweat, and a little tears”, all while having fun along the way to bring cool, tasty, and happy products to your home. Lollygag is all about bringing people together around a table to make everlasting memories.

Lollygag’s website features an array of products that will speak to many people, no matter their style. There is something for everyone on this site. We especially love Lollygag’s online shop, which has a vintage section of cool and unique products that can easily blend in with new pieces.

Lollygag - Hollywood Glam Tableware Set

Lollygag’s products are created by artisans locally and all over the world.

While curating a unique product assortment, Lollygag values sustainability, and prides itself on being eco-friendly.

The team at Lollygag put great thought and care into their packaging materials… and where they end up once customers receive their order. Even better, they wrap as much of their orders as they can with 100% recyclable, biodegradable paper products by Geami. They fill the void spaces in packaging with recyclable brown paper. Additionally, their tape is a reinforced kraft paper that is eco-friendly and recyclable. All practices we hope to see more companies embrace.

Lollygag - Marcus Matte Black Mug Set

If you are coffee lovers like us, then you definitely need to check out Lollygag’s mug assortment. The Marcus Matte Black Mug Set (pictured above) is one that will elevate your next breakfast or brunch. Even working remotely, a matte black mug is so 2021.

From dinnerware, drinkware, and flatware to linens, placemats, and kitchen accessories, Lollygag has a curated assortment for all styles.

Click here to visit their website to take a look at their product collection!

Lollygag Recipe - The Seoul Bowl

At Lollygag, it’s not only about great products, it’s about amazing recipes that bring these pieces to life. Inspired by a blend of their travels and family meals, these tasty recipes seamlessly share the spotlight with the items they are served on. You can visit their Recipe Guide for fun recipes that will have you cooking in style.

“Inspired by my love of Korean BBQ and my Japanese roots...this next-level Asian-fusion rice bowl will totally knock your socks off- Perfect for spicing things up any day of the week!”

— Yukiko, Lollygag Founder

Lollygag is a labor of love. You can see it in the product assortment, the attention to detail, and the love poured into the recipes. You can see it in the idea that gathering together with family and friends, over an amazing meal, is what life is all about.

Kodudos to Kiko & Leo… and Kai… at Lollygag. A team and brand to keep your eye on.

Ulta X Target Coming in 2021

Great news! Ulta Beauty is coming to 100 Target stores across the United States in late 2021 to give customers a luxury beauty shopping experience. Click here to read the full article.

Congrats Ruby Ribbon!

As staffing leaders, we love when we hear of a successful hire… but when it’s 2 successful hires, even better! The “intimates-and-athleisure” apparel brand Ruby Ribbon hired two new executives to its team — a CFO/COO and CMO. We want to give a huge congratulations to Michelle Sanft and Loly Hlade on your exciting new roles with Ruby Ribbon.

Click here to read the full article.

Holiday Season to Boost the Economy

As we approach the holiday season, recent indicators are showing that consumer confidence is changing in Los Angeles. Andrew Asch from California Apparel News reviewed recent surveys and writes on this West Coast traction. 

Click here to read the article from Apparel News.

Jobs in the Home Goods Industry

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Coronavirus pandemic has altered the U.S. American retail landscape and accelerated a shift in retail. We are excited to see that the home goods sector depicts sales soaring well-above the other retail industries. With that, we have seen a hiring increase! We put together a list of jobs from our wonderful clients within the home goods and homewares industry, so take a look at the jobs and their descriptions below. If any of the roles speak to you, please apply! If you know someone who is a great match, feel free to pass along the job opportunity along.

Havenly, Designer Onboarding Specialist, Atlanta, GA

Havenly, Design Team Lead, Atlanta, GA

Havenly, Social Media Manager, Denver, CO

Havenly, Designer Onboarding Specialist, Denver, CO

Cost Plus World Market, Assistant Buyer, Alameda, CA

Cost Plus World Market, Assistant Manager: Merchandising, Corte Madera, CA

Cost Plus World Market, PT Assistant Manager: Merchandising, Mountain View, CA

Touch of Modern, Head of Human Resources, San Francisco, CA

Touch of Modern, Marketing Director, San Francisco, CA

Touch of Modern, Junior Account Coordinator, San Francisco, CA

Gucci x The RealReal Partner Together!

Gucci and The RealReal partner together for an incredible collaboration! Vogue’s article says that Gucci is going to have an “e-shop stocked with consignors’ items as well as merchandise brought in directly from Gucci.” If you are obsessed with The RealReal and Gucci as much as we are, then you too are excited for all of the pieces that will be in housed in Gucci’s e-shop.

Click here to read the full article.

Minnow's Pop-up Shop Opens in Newport Beach

Congratulations to minnow on the opening of the pop-up store at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach, CA. Their pop-up store is open now through December 2020. Check minnow out for the cutest contemporary children’s swimwear.