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Last Updated By Harleen Kaur on 02 Jan, 2023
An apparel merchandiser is an interface between a buyer and an exporter. The responsibility of an apparel merchandiser is to oversee the order right from the time the order is received from the buyer until calculating the account profitability and shipment. Apparel merchandisers coordinate with suppliers, buyers, various departments and job worker’s logistics outside the company to help in the profitability of the organization. In short, an apparel merchandiser plans, analyses, acquires handles and takes control of the entire order from the beginning to the end.
To be a successful Apparel Merchandiser, it is vital to have an in-depth understanding of fibre, costing, colourfastness, yarn, printing, finishing, fabric constructions, dying, washing and garments production etc. It is also essential to be aware of the natural raw materials and apparel inspection system.
Apparel merchandisers work in the fashion industry to determine which products and materials to purchase in order to keep a brand successful. They work closely with designers and buyers, analysing fashion trends and customer preferences to best curate future merchandise. As a n Apparel Merchandiser, you will analyse industry trends to forecast which investments will generate revenue for your brand. You will also be in charge of the style of garments sold in retail stores or fashion houses. It will also be your responsibility to plan and implement store layouts.
Candidates applying for this position are typically expected to have a degree in fashion design. You must be up to date on the latest fashion trends and have experience with visual design software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as good taste, are required.
Apparel merchandisers are responsible for the following roles and responsibilities.:
A career of an apparel merchandiser can be pursued by anyone after satisfying the eligibility criteria. The job not only provides financial perks but also grants numerous opportunities. Given below are the requirements that one has to meet in order to be an apparel merchandiser.
Educational Qualification |
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Skill Set |
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Work Experience |
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To secure the best opportunity in the merchandising sector, people must first complete five key steps. If you want to achieve the same thing, be sure to take the following steps:
Make a Choice
Make sure you truly want to pursue this career as your first step. Make sure to decide in which industry you want to advance your career in merchandising. Since there are many economic sectors that need merchandisers.
Select the Appropriate Academic Subjects
However, combining subjects is not a requirement to become a merchandiser.
However, most employers favour applicants who have an associate's degree in a related field of merchandising, such as business administration, economics, marketing, or one of the management or supply chain fields. 10% of the merchandisers found today across all industries hold the marketing degree, which is the most popular and typical degree.
Select the Most Appropriate College Or Institute
Many platforms offer merchandising courses online in the form of certification or diploma courses. A candidate can choose this option based on their needs. Private institutes, in general, provide ample platforms for aspiring merchandiser candidates; thus, there are numerous privately owned institutions that offer certificate, diploma, and UG courses in Merchandising.
Popular apparel merchandising colleges include NIFT, Pearl Academy, Symbiosis Pune, Mody University, and JD Institute of Fashion Technology.
Earn a Merchandising Certificate
Even after graduation, you can pursue a certificate in merchandising in the sector of your choice. For example, if you want to work in fashion merchandising and have a bachelor's degree in art, a specialised certificate in fashion merchandising will help you advance in your career.
Internships as a Merchandiser
Begin your career by working at a junior level in your chosen field of merchandiser. Most professionals with at least one year of relevant experience are offered a good job profile and salary.
There is no requirement to major in a specific field in order to pursue a career as an apparel merchandiser. However, a commerce field with business management studies can be beneficial in the long run because it will provide an overview of how the supply management chain works.
After the 12th grade. A candidate with a marketing degree has a significant impact on the recruiter's mind because it is directly related to the merchandiser career.
A certificate or diploma course can also help aspiring merchandisers advance or add value to their careers. At this point, the candidate must decide whether they want to pursue a career as an apparel merchandiser in the fashion, visual, or retail sectors. Training and other aspects will go more smoothly once you've decided which industry you want to work in.
To become an Apparel Merchandiser, the first step is to pick up an apt course that helps in learning the right skills. Mentioned below are a few courses which can help an individual become an apparel merchandiser.
Course | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Top Colleges |
INR 40,000 to INR 1 Lakh | ||
Certificate in Apparel Merchandising and Manufacturing Technology | INR 50,000 to INR 90,000 | |
PG Diploma in Apparel Merchandising & Management | INR 60,000 to INR 1.25 Lakh | |
B.Des in Fashion Merchandising | INR 79,000 to INR 7.13 lakhs | |
INR 50,000 to INR 2 Lakh | ||
B.A.(Hons.) in Apparel Merchandising | INR 80,000 to INR 7 Lakh |
For admission-related help, you can dial our toll-free helpline number 1800-572-9877 or fill the Common Application Form.
An Apparel Merchandiser has multiple job roles associated with it. A few of them are mentioned below.
Garment Production Merchandiser
Senior Apparel Merchandiser
Fashion Director
There are a plethora of job opportunities in different industries for an apparel designer. Not only is the fashion industry interested in hiring an apparel designer but the entertainment industry is also on the lookout for skilful professionals. Garment stores, businesses and multinational companies hire apparel designer to ensure profitability. Media Houses, Designer Stores and the sports industry also provide lucrative jobs to the aspirant.
Being an Apparel Merchandiser can undoubtedly provide many benefits to their career. If you are passionate about your career, there are numerous opportunities available to you. Here are some of the major advantages of this course:
Salary: In India, the average salary for an Apparel Merchandiser is INR 3,50,000 LPA. Candidates can benefit from this profession as their experience grows.
Job Security: Apparel Merchandiser opportunities are also available in government organisations, which provide candidates with a high level of job security. Furthermore, mid and senior level employees in private companies benefit from job security through a variety of perks provided by the company.
Positive Impact of the Career: Apparel merchandiser is a difficult job in and of itself. It necessitates a great deal of creativity and hard work. As a result, a candidate can work positively in their career. The job profile requires regular interactions with clients or consumers, which improves the merchandiser aspiring candidate's overall friendliness and work environment.
Higher Education: A merchandiser does not need to pursue higher education, but they can always take advantage of the certification courses offered by many top institutes to add value to their professions.
One-of-a-Kind Experience: It will undoubtedly be a one-of-a-kind experience for a merchandiser, regardless of the industry in which he or she chooses to work. The journey will expose them to the working culture of their profession, enhancing their skills and knowledge horizon.
Some of the necessary skills for a candidate to become a successful apparel merchandiser are listed below:
Creativity | Confidence |
Teamwork | Awareness |
Analytical | Commercial Awareness |
Basic Mathematics skills | Time Management |
Organizing skills | Basic Computer Knowledge |
IT Skills | Etiquettes |
Decision-making skills | Interpersonal skills |
Business Management | Collaborative Thinking Skills |
Apparel Merchandiser is a career profile that pays salary to an individual based on skills, knowledge and work experience. Mentioned below is the pay scale of an apparel merchandiser.
Job Profile | Average Salary (per annum) | Entry-Level Salary (per annum) | Mid-Level Salary (per annum) | Senior-Level Salary (per annum) |
Apparel Merchandiser | INR 3,63,689 | INR 1,79,000 | INR 5,20,000 | INR 9,40,000 |
Provided below are some of the best books or study materials for an apparel merchandiser.
Apparel Merchandising: The Line Starts Here by David Wilson and Jeremy A Rosenau
Apparel Merchandising by R. Rathinamoorthy and R. Surjit
Apparel Product Design and Merchandising Strategies by Cynthia L. Regan
Fashion Marketing & Merchandising by Mary Wolfe
Basics Fashion Management 01: Concept to Customer by Virginia Grose
Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.
Work experience is not the most important factor in obtaining a position in the merchandising profile. Employers, on the other hand, prefer candidates with relevant work experience. As a result, it is recommended to gain some practical knowledge about the career as well.
Yes, working as a merchandiser is a rewarding profession. Low-level merchandising jobs are typically less desirable because they pay less and do not require a high level of creativity or professional engagement. However, working as a merchandiser in larger corporations with higher-paying positions can be a very rewarding career.
It is common to reach the level of senior merchandiser within 7 to 8 years. You could also work as a merchandise manager, merchandising director, retail business analyst, or as a self-employed retail consultant.
Qualifications for a successful garment merchandiser include:
Fashion merchandisers are in charge of the style design of clothing and accessories in retail clothing stores, costume suppliers, and fashion houses. Predicting fashion trends, planning and implementing store layouts, purchasing apparel, and collaborating with designers are all responsibilities of the fashion merchandiser.
The course fee of an Apparel Merhcandising programme depends upon the degree. The fees of UG degrees is about Rs. 2-6 lacs while that of a diploma course is between Rs. Rs. 40,000 to 1 lac.
The salary of a senior level Apparel Merchandiser is approximately Rs. 10-12 lakh per annum
The average salary of an Apparel Merchandiser is around Rs. 3.7 lakh per annum.
The job roles of an Apparel Merchandiser include Assistant Merchandiser, Garment Production Merchandiser, Head Merchandiser, Brand Manager, Fashion Director, Fashion Buyer, etc.
Yes, with a relevant diploma course in specialisations like Apparel Merchandising, Garment Production, or Fashion Designing, you can get a job as an Apparel Merchandiser.
No, internships are not mandatory for becoming an Apparel Merchandiser. However, if you have some work experience in the form of internships, your chances of getting better job opportunities increase.
A B.Des or B.Sc degree in a relevant field of design is the minimum qualification required for becoming an Apparel Merchandiser. You can also apply for the job if you have done a B.Voc degree in fashion.
Yes, if you have a relevant undergraduate degree in design, you can become an Apparel Merchandiser right after completing graduation.
The job role of an Apparel Merchandiser is quite similar to that of a Fashion Merchandiser and hence, they are considered the same. The only difference is that an Apparel Merchandiser deals only in garment production while a Fashion Merchandiser can work with many items.
An Apparel Merchandiser is a coordinator between an exporter and and a buyer. They work and coordinate with the management or production section of a company to increase the sale of a product.
