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Merchandiser
Retail

How to become a Merchandiser

What does a Merchandiser do?

Wish you could shop for a living? Let us show you the merchandise…A Merchandiser’s main role is to make sure the right products and offers are available in their stores when demand is highest, in order to make maximum returns for their business. Working closely with Buyers, Merchandisers help devise sales strategies and develop offers in order to make sure their goods are always in demand.Typical duties for a Merchandiser include:
  • Analysing past sales figures to work out trends and anticipate demand
  • Ordering and managing stock levels to ensure demand is always met
  • Devising new promotions and sales strategies to push the products
  • Providing assistance to Visual Merchandisers to help make sure the layout complements any current promotions
  • Delivering training materials to help staff get up to speed with any new lines that are introduced

Is a career as a Merchandiser right for me?

To be successful as a Merchandiser, you will need to know the industry you’re in inside-out. Having an in-depth understanding of what your customers want and when they want it can go a long way in determining your success, and very often that can only be found through on-the-job experience.You will also need to be creative, able to solve problems and work well under pressure. And by under pressure, we mostly mean Christmas.Other key skills include:
  • Excellent business acumen
  • Enthusiasm and self-motivation
  • The confidence and conviction to stand by your ideas
  • Excellent organisation and interpersonal skills
  • Prioritisation and delegation skills

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Merchandiser

1

Merchandiser

| Up to £30,000

Get qualified as a Merchandiser

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Merchandiser. However, having some qualifications specific to the industry will certainly help you stand out from the crowd.

Recommended Merchandising courses

  • Diploma in Retail Management - Level 7 (QLS Endorsed)

    Kingston Open College
    QLS Endorsed + CPD QS Accredited - Dual Certification | Instant Access | 24/7 Tutor Support
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    • 4 hours · Self-paced
    • 10 CPD points
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    Transform your expertise in retail management into a competitive edge that is acknowledged on a worldwide scale and certified as high-quality by QLS, the most respected high-quality course assessor in the UK. The Advanced Diploma in Retail Management is designed with the qualific …
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  • Merchandising & Visual Merchandising

    Training Express Ltd
    Level 3 Diploma | Free Digital + Hardcopy Certificate | Free Retake Exam | Lifetime Access
    • 21 students
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    • 11 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 15 CPD points
    • Tutor support
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    ✩ Trusted by Over 10K Business Partners & 1 Million Students Around the World! ✩ Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Merchandising and Visual Merchandising? In today’s fast-paced retail environment, understanding how to showcase products effectively is more impo …
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    £12 £14

What's it like to be a Merchandiser?

"I work as a Merchandiser for a large supermarket (mentioning no names). It’s incredibly busy, and my daily tasks can change in an instant, especially if we’ve seen something make a difference on a small scale and we want to ramp up the volume. I find my work very exciting and rewarding, and if you’re someone that likes seeing what you do make a real, quantifiable impact, a career in Merchandising might be right for you."

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