J-1 Visa Retail Jobs
Retail positions in the U.S. are available to exchange visitors under the J-1 Intern and Trainee program categories, with sponsorship issued by a State Department-designated organization rather than your host employer. Roles in merchandising, buying, store operations, and visual display commonly qualify when tied to a structured training plan.
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Internship Position Summary
Faherty Brand is seeking a builder — an entrepreneurially spirited MBA candidate with a strong technical foundation and genuine curiosity about what AI can do for consumer retail. This 10-week summer internship is centered on a real, high-impact AI project: you’ll identify a meaningful business problem at Faherty, design and prototype an AI-powered solution, and deliver a working proof of concept that our team can evaluate for implementation. The scope is intentionally broad: your project could live in marketing (e.g., automating performance spend decisions), merchandising (e.g., AI-assisted buying or inventory forecasting), customer experience (e.g., personalization, styling recommendations), or operations (e.g., demand sensing, supply chain optimization). What matters most is that you bring an AI-first mindset, hands-on technical ability, and the creativity to apply emerging tools to real consumer problems. The ideal candidate has a background in computer science, engineering, or a similarly technical discipline — and the business acumen to translate that into impact at a purpose-driven brand.
About the Internship Program
This is a 10-week, paid summer internship based out of Faherty’s New York HQ in the Financial District. You’ll be embedded within a cross-functional team, with regular touchpoints with senior leadership and real exposure to how a purpose-driven, high-growth retail brand makes strategic decisions. This role is project-based — you’ll own a defined AI initiative from scoping through prototype delivery, with the full support of Faherty’s leadership team behind you.
What you’ll do:
- Identify and scope a high-impact AI use case in partnership with your internship manager — drawing from across the business (marketing, merchandising, customer experience, operations, or beyond) — and build a clear problem statement, success criteria, and project plan within the first two weeks
- Design and build a working AI prototype or proof of concept — using tools such as Python, LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic), machine learning frameworks, or no-code/low-code AI platforms — that directly addresses the identified business problem and demonstrates measurable value
- Conduct a landscape analysis of relevant AI tools, vendors, and methodologies applicable to your chosen use case — for example, if working in marketing, evaluating AI-driven budget automation platforms; if working in merchandising, evaluating predictive analytics or demand forecasting tools — and develop a clear recommendation on build vs. buy vs. partner
- Partner cross-functionally with stakeholders across the relevant business area (marketing, technology, finance, or operations) to gather data, validate assumptions, and ensure your solution is grounded in real operational constraints and Faherty’s brand values
- Present a final capstone deliverable to senior leadership at the conclusion of the internship — including your working prototype, a clear articulation of the business case, an implementation roadmap, and a point of view on how Faherty can continue to scale AI adoption across the organization
What you’ll have:
- Currently enrolled in an MBA program with an anticipated graduation of 2027, and an undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science, engineering, applied mathematics, data science, or a related technical field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
- Demonstrated ability to build — you’ve shipped code, built models, or developed AI-powered tools in a professional or academic setting; comfort with Python (or similar) and experience working with LLMs, ML frameworks, APIs, or data pipelines is strongly preferred
- An AI-first mindset with genuine consumer curiosity — you naturally ask “where could AI create value here?” and have experience applying AI tools (generative, predictive, or agentic) in consumer-facing or business contexts, not just academic ones
- Familiarity with the retail or consumer landscape — prior experience in e-commerce, DTC, retail tech, or a consumer-facing brand (through work, internship, or coursework) helps you understand where AI can create the most meaningful impact for our customers and business
- Exceptional communication and storytelling skills — you can translate technical complexity into clear business language and are equally comfortable presenting to engineers and to executives
- Highly collaborative with a hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment
We aim to pay competitively for our size and industry. The pay for this position is $25.00/hour USD, but we will consider location, skill level and experience to determine the final offer.
A bit about us:
Founded in 2013 by Mike and Alex Faherty and Kerry Docherty, Faherty is a family-run lifestyle and apparel brand fueled by purpose and optimism. Our goal: to build a new American legacy by creating high-quality, sustainably minded, feel-good favorites that will bring you joy to wear.
We feel a deep responsibility to do things differently: to promise comfort without compromising quality. To hold ourselves to a higher standard with a lower environmental impact. To leave the world a better place than we found it.
We recognize the impact the fashion industry has on the world, and we’re dedicated to learning how to be better stewards of the planet. We believe the power of conversation and connection can make real change, and we’re committed to supporting people and organizations doing work that we believe in.
Our passionate leadership team comes from different backgrounds but share a singular goal: to deliver on our promise of comfort and craftsmanship. To work side-by-side in a collaborative, energetic, and creative environment every day, like the family we are.
We welcome everyone — and we mean everyone. We believe a diversity of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds only serve to make our team stronger, which is why we strongly encourage those from historically and systemically marginalized communities to apply: BIPOC, women, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, to name a few. We strive to lead consciously, bravely, and inclusively — and to reflect those values in our work. Employees should embody the five core values of the Faherty team:
- Always Innovate, constantly seeking creative ways to improve and drive forward.
- Bring Day One passion, energy, and grit to every challenge, iterating relentlessly to exceed expectations.
- Move forward as one with a shared purpose, All Together, fostering inclusivity and collaboration across teams.
- Harness the Power of Positivity, even when things get tough we’re leading with optimism and resilience in every interaction with our team, customers, and communities.
- Deliver with a Timeless focus, ensuring quality and long-term impact in all efforts.
Remain compassionate. Stay focused. Seek joy. Let’s make the world a better place!
Is this job for you?
Internship Position Summary
Faherty Brand is seeking a builder — an entrepreneurially spirited MBA candidate with a strong technical foundation and genuine curiosity about what AI can do for consumer retail. This 10-week summer internship is centered on a real, high-impact AI project: you’ll identify a meaningful business problem at Faherty, design and prototype an AI-powered solution, and deliver a working proof of concept that our team can evaluate for implementation. The scope is intentionally broad: your project could live in marketing (e.g., automating performance spend decisions), merchandising (e.g., AI-assisted buying or inventory forecasting), customer experience (e.g., personalization, styling recommendations), or operations (e.g., demand sensing, supply chain optimization). What matters most is that you bring an AI-first mindset, hands-on technical ability, and the creativity to apply emerging tools to real consumer problems. The ideal candidate has a background in computer science, engineering, or a similarly technical discipline — and the business acumen to translate that into impact at a purpose-driven brand.
About the Internship Program
This is a 10-week, paid summer internship based out of Faherty’s New York HQ in the Financial District. You’ll be embedded within a cross-functional team, with regular touchpoints with senior leadership and real exposure to how a purpose-driven, high-growth retail brand makes strategic decisions. This role is project-based — you’ll own a defined AI initiative from scoping through prototype delivery, with the full support of Faherty’s leadership team behind you.
What you’ll do:
- Identify and scope a high-impact AI use case in partnership with your internship manager — drawing from across the business (marketing, merchandising, customer experience, operations, or beyond) — and build a clear problem statement, success criteria, and project plan within the first two weeks
- Design and build a working AI prototype or proof of concept — using tools such as Python, LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic), machine learning frameworks, or no-code/low-code AI platforms — that directly addresses the identified business problem and demonstrates measurable value
- Conduct a landscape analysis of relevant AI tools, vendors, and methodologies applicable to your chosen use case — for example, if working in marketing, evaluating AI-driven budget automation platforms; if working in merchandising, evaluating predictive analytics or demand forecasting tools — and develop a clear recommendation on build vs. buy vs. partner
- Partner cross-functionally with stakeholders across the relevant business area (marketing, technology, finance, or operations) to gather data, validate assumptions, and ensure your solution is grounded in real operational constraints and Faherty’s brand values
- Present a final capstone deliverable to senior leadership at the conclusion of the internship — including your working prototype, a clear articulation of the business case, an implementation roadmap, and a point of view on how Faherty can continue to scale AI adoption across the organization
What you’ll have:
- Currently enrolled in an MBA program with an anticipated graduation of 2027, and an undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science, engineering, applied mathematics, data science, or a related technical field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
- Demonstrated ability to build — you’ve shipped code, built models, or developed AI-powered tools in a professional or academic setting; comfort with Python (or similar) and experience working with LLMs, ML frameworks, APIs, or data pipelines is strongly preferred
- An AI-first mindset with genuine consumer curiosity — you naturally ask “where could AI create value here?” and have experience applying AI tools (generative, predictive, or agentic) in consumer-facing or business contexts, not just academic ones
- Familiarity with the retail or consumer landscape — prior experience in e-commerce, DTC, retail tech, or a consumer-facing brand (through work, internship, or coursework) helps you understand where AI can create the most meaningful impact for our customers and business
- Exceptional communication and storytelling skills — you can translate technical complexity into clear business language and are equally comfortable presenting to engineers and to executives
- Highly collaborative with a hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment
We aim to pay competitively for our size and industry. The pay for this position is $25.00/hour USD, but we will consider location, skill level and experience to determine the final offer.
A bit about us:
Founded in 2013 by Mike and Alex Faherty and Kerry Docherty, Faherty is a family-run lifestyle and apparel brand fueled by purpose and optimism. Our goal: to build a new American legacy by creating high-quality, sustainably minded, feel-good favorites that will bring you joy to wear.
We feel a deep responsibility to do things differently: to promise comfort without compromising quality. To hold ourselves to a higher standard with a lower environmental impact. To leave the world a better place than we found it.
We recognize the impact the fashion industry has on the world, and we’re dedicated to learning how to be better stewards of the planet. We believe the power of conversation and connection can make real change, and we’re committed to supporting people and organizations doing work that we believe in.
Our passionate leadership team comes from different backgrounds but share a singular goal: to deliver on our promise of comfort and craftsmanship. To work side-by-side in a collaborative, energetic, and creative environment every day, like the family we are.
We welcome everyone — and we mean everyone. We believe a diversity of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds only serve to make our team stronger, which is why we strongly encourage those from historically and systemically marginalized communities to apply: BIPOC, women, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, to name a few. We strive to lead consciously, bravely, and inclusively — and to reflect those values in our work. Employees should embody the five core values of the Faherty team:
- Always Innovate, constantly seeking creative ways to improve and drive forward.
- Bring Day One passion, energy, and grit to every challenge, iterating relentlessly to exceed expectations.
- Move forward as one with a shared purpose, All Together, fostering inclusivity and collaboration across teams.
- Harness the Power of Positivity, even when things get tough we’re leading with optimism and resilience in every interaction with our team, customers, and communities.
- Deliver with a Timeless focus, ensuring quality and long-term impact in all efforts.
Remain compassionate. Stay focused. Seek joy. Let’s make the world a better place!
See all 174+ Retail jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Retail roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Retail
Frame your retail background as structured training
J-1 Trainee eligibility requires at least one year of post-degree retail or merchandising experience abroad. Document specific competencies, such as inventory management or buyer coordination, so your Training Plan reflects a clear skills-development arc.
Confirm host employers carry E-Verify enrollment
J-1 host employers in retail aren't required by federal law to use E-Verify, but many large chains require it internally. Verifying enrollment before you invest time in an application avoids late-stage surprises when your DS-2019 is issued.
Target regional chains over flagship department stores
Regional grocery, home goods, and specialty retailers regularly host J-1 trainees because structured rotation across departments is easier to document. Use Migrate Mate to filter retail roles by employers with active J-1 sponsorship history.
Align your DS-2019 program dates with seasonal hiring cycles
Retail host employers hire heaviest in Q3 for holiday build-up and Q1 for post-season resets. Coordinate your designated sponsor's DS-2019 issuance timeline with these windows, since sponsors typically need four to six weeks of lead time.
Request the Training Plan before accepting any offer
USCIS and your designated sponsor will scrutinize whether the role teaches transferable skills beyond routine cashiering or stocking. Ask the host employer to share a draft Training Plan early so you can identify gaps before your sponsor reviews it.
Check the two-year home residency requirement early
Some J-1 Trainee participants are subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement after program completion. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver through your home country's government or DOS before committing to a host employer's timeline.
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Find Retail JobsRetail J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers retail jobs?
Retail roles most commonly fall under the J-1 Intern category if you're a currently enrolled student or recent graduate within 12 months of graduation, or the Trainee category if you have at least one year of post-degree retail or merchandising experience. Camp Counselor and other categories don't apply to retail. Your designated sponsor determines which category fits your background.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a retail position?
Your visa sponsor is a State Department-designated organization, not your retail employer. The host employer, a store, chain, or corporate office, acts as the program site. The designated sponsor, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, issues your DS-2019, reviews your Training Plan, and monitors your compliance throughout the program. The employer's role is to host and train you, not to sponsor your visa.
How do I find retail employers that are open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Most retail employers don't advertise J-1 openings explicitly, so searching standard job boards yields limited results. Migrate Mate lets you filter positions by visa type so you can identify retail roles and employers with a demonstrated history of hosting J-1 exchange visitors, which shortens the outreach and vetting process significantly.
Can a retail J-1 Training Plan be rejected, and what causes it?
Yes. Designated sponsors and DOS reject Training Plans that describe routine operational tasks, such as cashiering or shelf-stocking, without a clear skills-progression rationale. Plans must map each phase to a distinct competency you're building and intend to transfer home. Sponsors also flag plans that schedule more than 20 percent of time in unskilled tasks relative to the overall program length.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to retail J-1 participants?
It can. The requirement applies when your home country's government or a U.S. government agency funded your exchange, or when your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Retail Trainee participants from certain countries with government-funded programs are frequently subject to this rule. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before signing an offer letter, since the requirement affects future visa options including H-1B and green card pathways.
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