SHOW NOTES

Every visual element in stores must not only captivate customers but also drive sales. So how do you effectively merge creativity with operational excellence in visual merchandising?

Brandon Lee, a 20-year VM leader and the visionary Creative Director & Owner of Brandon Lee Designs, knows one thing: “In retail, there’s no creativity without the ops behind it.”

From guiding the visual identities of iconic brands like Ralph Lauren, Bonobos, Gap, and Brooks Brothers, to pioneering visual merchandising solutions in the cannabis and furniture industries — Brandon has done it all.

In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, Brandon shares his guiding principles for creating immersive retail environments that aren’t only visually stunning but also commercially successful.

Brandon and host Ron Thurston dig into:

• Why being business-savvy is as important as creativity
• Strategies for integrating creative vision with operational efficiency
• How the role of visual merchandising is evolving and staying ahead of the curve

Tune in for practical, actionable advice for retail creatives from one of visual merchandising’s most innovative minds.

GUEST BIO

Brandon Lee, Creative Director & Owner, Brandon Lee Designs

Brandon is an enthusiastic creative leader with a specialty in producing captive physical experiences and easy to shop environments. For 20 years, he has been the head of visual merchandising from a range of brands where he has either rebuilt the VM infrastructure or created it entirely from scratch. From Ralph Lauren, Bonobos, Gap, Moose Knuckles, & Brooks Brothers to name a few, he has proven himself to be able to soak in a brand vision and provide meaningful solutions for Visual Merchandising needs.

While Brandon has had a tenured career as an in-house VM creative, in early 2023 he left the full time world to start his own LLC, Brandon Lee Designs. With the knowledge gained after having worked alongside some of the best in the industry, he is now diving into the cannabis industry and providing companies like Good Day Farm and Rove, with the visual merchandising expertise and store design help that this growing industry is in need of. In his new capacity he has expanded his portfolio into set styling within the furniture industry and also serves as a fabrication house that is able to manufacture the ideas that he and his clients can dream up.

As the retail creative landscape evolves, he hopes that his leadership within the industry will help move the creative forward and pass the torch to inspire others to make amazing brand moments and have some fun along the way.

HOST BIO

Ron Thurston is the host of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS. 

Ron is the co-founder of OSSY, a full-service agency platform that connects retailers, candidates, and solution providers to create thriving retail careers and businesses.

With 30+ years leading retail stores and operations for America’s most prominent brands, like Gap, Saint Laurent, Apple, Bonobos, and INTERMIX, Ron has developed a deep expertise in retail strategy, management, and innovation.

Ron is the author of RETAIL PRIDE, an Amazon bestseller that inspires retail professionals to take pride in their accidental careers. He hosts the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, sharing the untold retail success stories and the incredible people behind them.

Ron’s work has set him up as one of the most influential voices in retail and retail tech, and he serves on the Advisory Board of YOOBIC and several emerging retail technology platforms, including Ometria, Reflex, and Vendoor.

ABOUT FRONTLINE FRIDAYS

FRONTLINE FRIDAYS WITH RON THURSTON is a live podcast for frontline leaders and advocates in retail and hospitality.

Ron Thurston has a question for leaders out there who are inspiring excellence in their frontline teams: “What do you do differently?” In this candid discussion series, he’ll sit down with them to find out. Each episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS offers real-world strategy from retail and hospitality change makers on frontline leadership and personal career growth.