Retail merchandiser

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• completing private industry-recognised training

University

You can do a degree before joining a retail company as a trainee merchandiser. Employers recruit from a range of degree subjects. Particularly relevant subjects include:

• marketing
• fashion buying and merchandising
• fashion and business
• retail business management

It's useful to get some retail or office based experience during your studies to help you stand out when you apply for graduate roles.

Your university careers service can help you to find summer placement, internship and year placement opportunities.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can take a college course to become a retail merchandiser. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Retail Operations
• Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail
• Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start through a retailer intermediate apprenticeship or retail team leader advanced apprenticeship before moving into merchandising.

If you already have some retail experience, you could apply to do a buying and merchandising assistant higher or degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start in stock control or as a merchandise admin assistant and work your way up by learning on the job.

OtherRoutes

If you're interested in fashion retail, you could do a short course like an introduction to merchandising.

You can also take procurement and supply qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply . These are recognised by the industry.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• active listening skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• business management skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to read English
• leadership skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• physical fitness and endurance
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Retail merchandisers make sure that goods are in the right stores, or online, at the right time and the right price.

You could:

• plan product ranges and stock plans with buyers
• plan budgets, forecast sales and profit margins
• present forecasts to managers
• visit manufacturers with retail buyers to learn about production cycles
• negotiate prices and orders with suppliers, and agree delivery terms
• track stock deliveries, make sure goods arrive on time and meet quality standards
• set prices and sales targets for individual stores
• help visual merchandisers to plan store layouts to promote key lines
• promote special offers and marketing initiatives
• analyse sales figures and trends
• stay aware of how competitors are performing
• identify and sort out production and supply problems
• manage, train and supervise staff

Location : You could work at a store or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £36,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

36 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

You could be promoted to senior merchandiser and responsible for sales and budgetary control of a multimillion-pound department and managing a team of people. It's typical to have reached senior merchandiser level within 7 to 8 years.

You could also become a merchandise manager, head of merchandising, merchandising director, retail business analyst or self-employed retail consultant.