Julie McGillivray: Senior Director of Retail Operations

An experienced professional with a creative eye for industry-leading products.

2001 wasn’t only the year that Ichiro came to Seattle, the city hosted the All-Star Game, and the team secured a record-setting 116 wins, it was also the second full season that Julie McGillivray worked on the Mariners’ merchandise team. While she was thrown into one of the most popular team years to date, she took the challenge head-on with a mission for improvement and innovation, and has forever changed the Mariners’ retail standards for the better.

Upon her hiring in 2000, McGillivray was the only buyer for all merchandise inside the ballpark and in outside stores. She was tasked with communicating with the team’s suppliers and ensuring that every store had the correct inventory. When 2001 hit, and the uncharacteristic rush to the stores began, McGillivray was charged with adding more buyers to distribute her workload. She focused on sections of the store that the team didn’t have yet, such as women’s, kids, and novelty buyers. Throughout the year, she continuously bought large numbers of new products to keep up with the high demand.

“The 2001 season was a really fun time because even though there was so much going on, you couldn’t really do anything wrong. You just had to keep buying and making sure there was enough inventory,” McGillivray remembered. Shortly after, she was promoted to director of merchandise for the team.

In the years to follow, McGillivray concentrated on adding color and fashion to Mariners team stores that were very centered on navy and gray golf polos, and had limited options otherwise. Her most important addition was the first item that was made with the color pink, which she noted was very controversial at the time. “A pink hat was the first item we brought pink into, and it sold really well,” McGillivray said. “That was my claim to fame at the time.” Since the introduction, she has continued adding in items in different departments that appeal to all audiences. “I like to stay ahead of trends and have something for everyone,” she said.

In her current role as senior director of retail operations, McGillivray oversees all store locations and all of the buyers for the Mariners, and continues to seek creative product development. “There’s a ton of research that we do to bring in products we think will sell, and then you just have to hope and see if the demographic likes it enough,” she said.

With many responsibilities, anyone involved with marketing, merchandising, promotions, buying, inventory, finances, and hiring in the department falls under her direction. On a typical game day, there are multiple team store locations throughout the ballpark, as well as game-used and autographed item stands that McGillivray jumps between. “It’s like a company within a company.”

McGillivray expressed how supportive the Mariners have always been of her ideas and helpful in bringing them to life. She now has almost 25 years of experience with the team, and her passion for delivering exceptional products to consumers has continued to fuel her success. “It’s always so enjoyable when you come in and feel like you’re really making a difference.”

As the only MLB team to have won MLB Retailer of the Year twice, in 2005 and in 2014, McGillivray’s efforts in growing the department has paid off in numerous ways. “I’ve had a very rewarding career,” she said. Looking back on the limited functionality of the Mariners team stores when she started in 2000 to the vibrancy and possibilities that they provide today, McGillivray’s efforts in creating her own sports retail standards have set the team up to thrive in the industry for years to come.