On September 26, Fashion Merchandising majors and master’s degree students attended LIM’s latest Nxt in Retail Speaker Series event, titled “The Wonderful World of Retail.” Three LIM alums discussed their retail careers and shared advice on entering the industry.
The panelists were:
- Daniella Sagliocca, ‘18. Daniella began her career at Tommy Hilfiger and now works as a Global Buyer at American Eagle Outfitters for the APAC region. She is also an adjunct faculty member at LIM.
- Erin Sallee, ‘21. Erin is a Senior Client Strategist for The Home Depot in Atlanta. Leveraging prior experience with companies such as Under Armour and QVC, Erin transitioned from merchandising to digital marketing, and now works with brands such as Clorox, P&G, Energizer, and Weber.
- Marcel Smith, ‘22. Marcel is a graduate of LIM's online bachelor’s program in Fashion Merchandising. He is now an assistant buyer at Neiman Marcus, where he launched the vintage watches program, combining his passion for sustainability with his merchandising expertise.
The event was moderated by Industry Advisory Board member Alan Spalter, CEO of Retail Assistance Corporation (RAC), a retail service and marketing company. With nearly 40 years of industry experience, Alan started his career at Bloomingdale's before founding RAC to address the need for in-store merchandising, training, and brand advocacy, helping major retailers and manufacturers boost sales and brand recognition.
The panel discussed various aspects of retailing. Sagliocca said, “Buying allows you the opportunity to wear so many different hats and gives you a really broad range of experience.”
Sallee noted how cross-functional retail is, speaking from her experience in both merchandising and marketing.
When asked about the importance of internships Sagliocca advised, “Do as many as you can, especially if you're unsure what you want to do, because it really helps make your decision a lot easier down the line and you feel more prepared going into your role.”
Spalter asked the panelists to give advice on how to get jobs in the industry.
Smith said, “I’m a shopper, so I started [looking] at places where I like to shop and liked the story that particular store was telling.”
Smith then talked about the importance of networking, saying “I got my foot in the door at Neiman Marcus through extracurricular activities. I was in the LIM Sustainability Club, and we asked someone from Neiman Marcus’s sustainability program to come and speak, and I just kept in contact with her and was like ‘I want to be a buyer, get me in!.”
About the Nxt in Retail Speaker Series
LIM College Industry Advisory Board Members and faculty developed the Nxt in Retail Speaker Series in 2021 to help students navigate how the retail industry will transform, and to offer insight into what a career in retail is really like.
