what is a merchandiser?
Retail merchandising is an important job in the world of retail sales. As a merchandiser, you work closely with buyers in selecting and completing orders. You make financial decisions regarding purchasing based on your employer’s budget.
This fast-paced job also involves predicting demand for certain products according to past sales and emergent trends. You work with analysts, suppliers, distributors, and more regularly. You make buying decisions for different products according to several factors, such as value, packaging appeal, and whether they fit your inventory.
You are responsible for overseeing merchandise deliveries and stock levels. You may also be the go-to person who resolves such issues as damaged goods or shortages. A big part of the job is keeping the store shelves stocked despite brisk customer demand. As such, you should have a knack for selecting the right number of products at the right times.
In addition, you are responsible for displaying merchandise in a visibly appealing way. Placement and arrangement of items drive sales. Also, as a merchandiser, you oversee signage and build displays.
Would working as a merchandiser suit your skills or interests? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a merchandiser role.
view jobs near youaverage merchandiser salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can plan to earn an average hourly wage of $18.33 as a merchandiser. This works out to about $38,000 annually for a full-time position.
The actual amount of your income as a merchandiser also depends upon the industry you work in. You can earn an average of $66,800 per year in cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing, one of the highest-paying industries for merchandisers. In contrast, a merchandiser in the advertising and public relations career field earns an average annual salary of $34,610.
Your geographic location is another factor that determines your income potential as a merchandiser. According to the BLM, the five states paying the highest salaries for merchandise displayers and window trimmers are:
- Washington
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
Your level of education and the number of years of experience impact your actual annual salary, too. Some businesses require you to have at least a bachelor's degree and two to four years of experience to qualify for a merchandiser position. Continuing education and working to gain more experience are bound to lead to increased pay. This also gives you a competitive advantage in terms of promotion.
Wondering what you can earn as a merchandiser? Find out immediately with the salary comparison tool! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a merchandiser is.
types of merchandiser
Your work options as a merchandiser include the following:
- retail merchandising: Selling products directly to customers in-store
- visual merchandising: Preparing attractive displays of products to improve sales
- product merchandising: Choosing products that align with customer values and needs
- digital merchandising: Posting product photos and descriptions on retail websites and expanding the store’s retail outreach
The main focus of all of these positions is to increase product sales. You decide on different promotions to run or ways to market products that bring them the most attention. There is sometimes a need for several different types of merchandisers at one company.
working as a merchandiser
You will find that a day in the life of a merchandiser is demanding, varied, and rewarding. As a merchandiser, you collaborate with buyers in stores as well as producers and suppliers of many products. Typically, you divide your workday between your desk and hands-on product placement.
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merchandiser job description
A merchandiser's primary responsibility is to drive product sales through a variety of strategies. However, there are other responsibilities that merchandisers typically have.
Merchandisers are often responsible for visiting with product suppliers and manufacturers. You may also be required to negotiate with them for the best prices.
A merchandiser relies on market data and product information to understand customer spending preferences. This helps you determine what and how much to order for your retail location. Merchandisers frequently work with other departments that play a part in the company's sales such as marketing. Keeping track of sales trends and consumer preferences informs your merchandising team’s ordering and display decisions.
If your duties include analysis of sales data, you are likely to be responsible for presenting market reports. Also, be prepared to meet ordering deadlines so that your products arrive on time.
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merchandiser work environment
Some of your workday consists of tasks that you accomplish in an office. Your responsibilities require you to communicate with buyers, suppliers, and other people you collaborate with. This typically happens online or on the phone while you're in the office.
This job also involves some traveling, such as visits to suppliers to discuss new and existing products. You may also visit the stores of your competitors to assess their product displays and how their customers are responding to them. This informs your decision-making about the most attractive way to advertise products and promote their brands. Also, you should expect to travel to trade shows and promotional events.
When traveling for the job, your work days are bound to be irregular in terms of time and responsibilities. Some weeks will probably be busier than others, and you may find yourself working overtime. Because you may be the person who troubleshoots problems such as delivery delays and damaged merchandise, you may be on call outside of work hours.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending upon your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues could include a merchandising manager, other members of your company’s merchandising team, and store display specialists. You may also work closely with colleagues in the retail sales department and the marketing department. Other colleagues may include sales associates, product manager, and inventory managers.
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work schedule
As a merchandiser, you work a typical full-time work week. Normally, you are on a regular 9-to-5 schedule, Monday through Friday. In a retail location, your schedule may require some weekend workdays, especially prior to busy times such as the holidays.
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job outlook for merchandiser
Because the field of merchandising is so varied, it is possible to become a merchandising assistant straight out of high school. Chances are fair that you can work your way up to a job as a merchandising manager.
However, the knowledge you gain in college business courses is key to making your career a success. You are more likely to get hired by a larger company, earn a higher salary, and enjoy more opportunities for advancement with a college degree. Such positions as buying controller and merchandising director will be well within your reach.
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benefits of working with randstad as a merchandiser
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a merchandiser is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
merchandiser skills and education
An associate or a bachelor’s degree in a related field gives you a valuable advantage when you are applying for merchandising positions. A business degree with one of the following focuses is critical to securing your dream job as a merchandiser:
- visual merchandising
- graphic design
- retail marketing
- economics
- logistics
Many university programs provide valuable education programs that give you a head start in a merchandiser career. For example, Oregon State University offers a four-year Merchandising Management program that includes topics like design thinking, fashion forecasting, and merchandising analytics. The Academy of Art in San Francisco offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion merchandising that educates you in retail fashion planning, management, and sales.
skills and competencies
Experience with marketing basics and consumer preferences is useful in a merchandiser job. Experience working in the field is also valuable, giving you the ability to forecast expected trends in the market. This knowledge helps you choose products wisely for increased sales. In a fast-paced retail marketplace, you also need to work well under pressure.
As a merchandiser, you should be excellent at working with data and numbers. You should be able to identify the trends and then use that data to plan for future product orders.
A successful merchandiser also has an eye for details. Planning store layouts, curating displays, and ordering products are just a few areas of the job where details matter.
In addition to these skills, it's essential to be a good communicator. This job consists of working with other people like buyers, suppliers, and store owners. Some of your work will involve writing emails and making phone calls, but a merchandiser also visits other storefronts and meets with suppliers. In these situations, communication is key.
FAQs about working as a merchandiser
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about merchandisers.
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will I work independently or with others as a merchandiser?
Even in a small retail setting, a merchandiser works with others, such as the store owner, in completing tasks. In a larger conglomerate, you may work with merchandising managers or assistants, suppliers, display specialists, salespeople, and more. No matter where you work, you are part of a team whose goal is to drive product sales and promote brands.
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is merchandiser a full-time position?
If you want to launch a career in merchandising, be prepared to work full-time. Retail marketing does have its busier months of the year when you need to work extra hours as part of the team. It also has slower periods, such as just after a holiday, when you might be able to take some time off.
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how should I plan for a merchandiser career?
You can get started early by getting some retail experience. When you work in a store, you learn a lot about products, displays, pricing, and customer service. All of these give you great insight into the retail marketplace. In addition, register for business classes at your local community college or university.
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what are the key competencies of a merchandiser?
Product, brand, and market knowledge are crucial for a merchandiser. You also need an eye for design, a strong creative drive, and a desire to make customers happy.
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is this career field growing?
Many fields of merchandising are expected to grow through 2031 in the fashion merchandising industry. Purchasing manager positions are expected to grow by 4.4%. However, buyers and purchasing agent positions are expected to decline by 7.7%.
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how do I find a job as a merchandiser?
Applying for a merchandiser job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our merchandiser jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
submit your resume
Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.
