Nicola Chisholm
About Nicola Chisholm
Nicola Chisholm is a Planner in Branch Merchandising at URBN, where she has worked since 2021 in London, England. With extensive experience in merchandising across various retailers, she specializes in childrenswear and lingerie, and has a strong background in financial planning and team development.
Work at URBN
Nicola Chisholm has been employed at URBN, which encompasses Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, Free People, and Nuuly, since 2021. She currently serves as a Planner in Branch Merchandising, a role she has held for two years. Her responsibilities include conducting ad hoc reporting to support sales and markdown analysis, as well as managing store capacity planning. Chisholm has also taken on a branch-focused planning and trading management role, overseeing 70 European stores. She collaborates closely with district managers and store teams to enhance sales and profitability.
Previous Experience in Merchandising
Before joining URBN, Nicola Chisholm worked at Debenhams in various merchandising roles from 2008 to 2018. Her positions included Senior Merchandiser for the swimwear and holiday shop, Senior Territory Merchandiser for the International division, and Planning Manager for Childrenswear. She also served as a Junior Merchandiser in the lingerie department. Her experience at Debenhams allowed her to specialize in merchandising for childrenswear and lingerie/swimwear across a multi-channel retail environment.
Educational Background
Nicola Chisholm studied at The University of Sheffield from 1997 to 2001, where she earned a BA (HONS) in German and Business Studies. This educational foundation has contributed to her understanding of international markets and business operations, which she has applied throughout her career in merchandising.
Career Development and Training
Throughout her career, Nicola Chisholm has demonstrated a commitment to team development by successfully training several Assistant Merchandisers up to the merchandiser level. She has taken on additional responsibilities beyond her departmental roles, including involvement in online teams, wholesale projects, and marketing initiatives. Her proactive approach has contributed to her effectiveness in planning and trading management.
Skills in Financial Planning and Analysis
Nicola Chisholm is heavily involved in financial planning and reforecasting at the store level. She collaborates with finance and planning directors to ensure accurate financial projections. Additionally, she works with logistics and supply chain colleagues to optimize store operations, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of the retail environment and its complexities.