What to Expect With Merchandiser Jobs

Merchandisers are responsible for making sure that products appear at the right shelf, at the right store or website, at the right time, in right quantities and at right price. Merchandising is all about planning and formulating strategies to enhance the sales of the company and bring in profits. It includes working in close relation with buying teams to predict buying trends, monitor the market performance and planning of stock levels.

Merchandisers play an essential role in the organizations as they are the key players of the sales strategy. They decide the prices for the goods, plan promotions and evaluate the performance of the marketing strategy. They also manage the delivery and distribution of stock and stay in connection with suppliers and dealers.

Where to start
Fresh graduates can start their career in Retail Merchandising by working as allocators, distributors and merchandise administrative assistants. These assistant level positions will help you learn the ground principles of Merchandising. The starting salaries can be around 15,000. However, with increasing experience you can enjoy greater promotions and salaries.

The key skills required
You should be good calculations and planning. Degree in mathematics, statistics, finance, business studies or geography, etc is essential. The major aim of a merchandiser is to maximize profits thus you should have the necessary communication skills.

Typical functions of a Merchandiser
Preparing product ranges and stock plans, forecasting profits and sales, planning budgets, recording information about consumers’ reactions and competitors’ performance.

What to expect from Merchandising
Opportunities in Merchandising are available in both fashion and non-fashion retail companies and in high street and mail order stores. Merchandising is a broad term. You can work as a stock controller, distributor or allocator. However, the basic functioning of each role is similar and you will require the same set of skills and attributes in each one. You can get promoted to senior management positions with enough experience and competency.

There are bright paths of a successful career in Merchandising as there are numerous online and offline stores. If you have good planning, mathematics and communication skills then it is definitely a right field for you.