Store Planner

A Store Planner organizes the layout and monitors the progress of store construction or remodeling. In contrast to a Space Planner, Store Planners specialize in stores. This means that they are hired by Business Owners for individual projects, or are employed by one major store chain to supervise all of their buildings. Say, for example, you work for McDonalds as a Store Planner. Every time a new McDonalds is built, refurbished, renovated, or upgraded, you are the person to plan the development.

The first step in the process is to meet with the Landlord, Business Owner, or other representative to get a feel for the project. Once you’ve nailed down the timeline and budget constraints, you build a prototype and present it to the decision makers for approval. When construction begins, you field questions from the work crew. As the project progresses, you turn your attention to the purchasing of goods for the space. If you are working with an existing store, you consider the business needs and streamline the space to allow for efficient production.

You will need an eye for detail to make sure every piece of the puzzle fits together. If the store sells clothes, you plan for every shelf, rack, dressing room, and drawer in the building. That’s a huge responsibility. There are several computer programs that help you with this task. You use Auto CAD, Indesign, Photoshop, Excel, and Word to outline where every piece of equipment and hardware will fit within the space.