Transforming Visual Merchandising: A Digital Platform to Redefine Retail Planning and Strategy
General description of the project
This project presents a digital platform created as a pilot prototype to improve how retail teams plan and execute visual merchandising. With the help of AI, the initial code was developed to simulate store layouts, allowing users to organize fixtures, products, and displays virtually before making physical changes.
This technology has helped my team plan store setups more efficiently, communicate ideas clearly, and avoid mistakes during floor set execution. By testing layouts digitally, we reduce setup time, confusion, and unnecessary costs. Early results have shown that visual planning through this tool leads to more organized, accurate, and cost-effective store presentations.
The platform also supports better decision-making, allowing teams to adapt layouts to customer behavior and sales performance. One of the main lessons learned is that effective planning turns creativity into strategy — helping retail teams work more efficiently and respond quickly to market needs.
Technologies
This project began as a pilot prototype developed with the assistance of AI, which helped generate the initial code and structure for a digital visual merchandising simulator. The prototype allows users to virtually organize store layouts, move fixtures, and place products in real time, offering a clear visual of how each setup will look before installation.
By using this technology, my team and I can plan our store layouts more efficiently and avoid common mistakes during floor sets or visual updates. It has improved communication, reduced setup time, and made the entire planning process smoother and more organized.
This digital approach has proven to be a practical and effective tool for retail teams, combining technology with everyday store operations to ensure more accurate, cost-efficient, and well-executed visual presentations.
Explain project results
The pilot project has provided both academic and professional value. At an institutional level, it serves as an example of how digital innovation and AI can be applied to real-world challenges in retail management and visual merchandising. It has also inspired students and peers to explore the use of technology as a tool for creative problem-solving and business efficiency.
Professionally, the project has helped my store team plan floor sets more effectively, communicate ideas clearly, and reduce errors during visual changes. By testing layouts virtually before implementation, we save time, avoid confusion, and create better customer experiences.
This initiative demonstrates how technology can strengthen learning, teamwork, and strategic thinking—helping future professionals and retail teams develop the skills needed in today’s fast-changing market.
Why it should be considered best practice?
This project should be considered a best practice because it offers a simple yet powerful way to improve retail planning and visual merchandising through digital tools. The platform is cost-effective, easy to use, and adaptable to different store formats, which makes it an accessible solution for both small and large retail operations.
By allowing teams to plan, visualize, and adjust store layouts digitally, it reduces mistakes, saves time, and improves communication. These results can be replicated in other institutions or retail environments without requiring complex systems or expensive software.
Highlights of your proposed presentation
The presentation will showcase how a digital platform can transform the way retail teams plan and execute visual merchandising. It will highlight the creation of the pilot prototype — developed with the support of AI — and how this technology allowed my team to plan floor sets virtually, identify layout issues early, and improve efficiency during store changes.
The main lessons learned include the importance of organization, collaboration, and adaptability when using technology in creative environments. We discovered that visual merchandising is not just about design, but about strategy and planning.
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate submitted proposals based on the following criteria. Each area will be rated on a scale from 1 to 5 (1= non-satisfactory; 5 =outstanding), for a maximum of 45 points.